DUBAI: Will Smith is reportedly in talks to play the role of Genie in Guy Ritchie’s live-action version of Aladdin.
Deadline reported that Smith is in the early stages of talks to star in the Disney film.
The report follows casting calls 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.”
Disney’s original animated version of Aladdin featuring the voice of the late Robin Williams hit cinema screens in 1992, and became the highest-grossing film of the year. A pair of straight-to-video sequels followed, but Williams reportedly stated in his will that his out-takes from the original film could never be used to make another sequel.
The new Aladdin movie is to be the latest in Disney’s successful series of live-action remakes based on its classic animated films.
“Beauty And The Beast,” starring Emma Watson as Belle, was one of the most anticipated movies of 2017 and has so far grossed over $1 billion worldwide.
Will Smith ‘in talks’ to play Genie in live-action Aladdin
Will Smith ‘in talks’ to play Genie in live-action Aladdin
