DUBAI: A casting call is being held for Guy Ritchie’s live-action spin on the much-loved Disney classic “Aladdin.”
The poster advertising the casting call is making the rounds on social media due to its desire for Middle Eastern-looking auditionees in what seems to be an attempt to avoid whitewashing by the filmmakers.
The casting call asks for actors between the ages of 18-25 to apply for the coveted lead roles of Aladdin and Princess Jasmine and states that singing and dance skills are “a plus.”
Alright kids, if you know someone who fits this, you better share this with them. Submit asap. Good luck my babies pic.twitter.com/PLP37ritcV
— Dani Fernandez (@msdanifernandez) March 9, 2017
The call for Middle Eastern-looking actors has received praise after Disney waded into controversy last year due to rumors that American actress Jennifer Lawrence would be cast in the live action version of “Mulan” – a Chinese character.
Aladdin is set to be one in a string of live-action updates of Disney classics including “Cinderella,” “Pete’s Dragon” and “The Jungle Book,” which grossed nearly $1bn worldwide in 2016.
There has been no announcement on the planned release date but according to the poster, shooting will begin in July.
