Disney Is Struggling With The Question, “Who Can Play Aladdin?”. Here’s Who The Internet Picked.

You remember Aladdin and his adventures with Genie right? Yes, the same Arabain Nights that gave kids (including me, when I was one) magical escapades on the magic carpet. Why am I suddenly reminiscing? Well, let’s just say I have news(s)- good and bad, both!

The good news is, after successful live-action remakes of ‘Cinderella’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’, Disney is all set to bring ‘Aladdin’ to life. But the bad news is, the director, Guy Ritchie and the studio have hit a bit of a snag in finding the right man to play the role of Aladdin!

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney is finding it difficult to cast an actor, who can sing and dance after having launched a global casting call in March to find the stars for the musical. 

The report states that finding a male lead in his 20s who can act and sing has proven difficult, especially since the studio wants someone of Middle-Eastern or Indian descent.

It also suggests that the call has had names like Riz Ahmed and Dev Patel but the spot is most probably going to go a newcomer, a fresh face. Just FYI, Will Smith has been signed on to play the part of Genie!

 

But while the studio struggles in silence,

Disney is struggling to find its male star for Aladdin, a man who can dance, act & take on such an iconic character. https://t.co/rb28mgAoJG

— Rebecca Ford (@Beccamford) July 11, 2017

 

Twitter is really willing to help…

If only there was a country full of brown actors who regularly sing and dance in their movies 🤔 https://t.co/Cb3yxtNfGI

— S A A D (@saadishappy) July 11, 2017

Only if we knew better *says it with a straight face*

 

What else would explain all these suggestions then? 

1. Make it happen already!

#FawadKhan as #Aladdin sounds perfect. I now have my heart set on this. So do many other women. Make it happen @Disney. Make. It. Happen! pic.twitter.com/kLNmTFIWI5

— Amena (@Fashionopolis) July 12, 2017

 

2. He has already played royalty before, TBH!

https://twitter.com/HrithiksGladia2/status/884859429287604226

 

3. How can you miss that?

 

4. Tell me about it!

 

5. Now, that would be a dream cast!

Priyanka Chopra as Princess Jasmine and Dev Patel as Aladdin would have the whole world shooK! pic.twitter.com/uDh03KE5QL

— béni. (@WrittenByTerry) July 11, 2017

 

6. Some more suggestions…

.@iHrithik needs to be Aladdin, jasmine should be Aishwarya Rai, genie should be @SrBachchan

Thank my vision later @Disney 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/yoTuVDH6WQ

— analog girl (@rswankk) July 11, 2017

 

However, there were people who do not wish to see any of the typecasting anymore because honestly, Aladdin is a middle eastern character. 

Stop. Suggesting. Desi. Actors. Aladdin. Isn't. Desi. https://t.co/qT750cb1YW

— Janani (@TheShrinkette) July 12, 2017

 

The rest are already awaiting the cultural appropriation, that they know/fear would happen. 

Half expecting this cast:

Ryan Gosling as Aladdin
Jennifer Lawrence as Jasmine
Tim Curry as Jafar https://t.co/L5TivqO9C1

— Mahwash Ajaz (@mahwashajaz_) July 12, 2017

Disney aren't struggling to look for actors, they just wanna cast white folks but don't wanna say it

— entánglemént (@chideraaye) July 12, 2017

 

Just so you know, Tweeple are also pinning hopes on Zayn Malik and Avan Jogia. 

"Disney is reportedly struggling to find its Aladdin" @zaynmalik pic.twitter.com/hWTmsnoj9n

— bzp (@bestzaynsphotos) July 11, 2017

https://twitter.com/deadkili/status/884848891241299969

Can’t say, I don’t like the idea.

Are you listening, good folks at Disney? Take all the help you need. Just give us Aladdin…GIVE.

Cover Image Source: 1, 2