Earlier this year, Disney released their live-action remake of Dumbo. In July, we’ll again journey through the circle of life with The Lion King. But first let’s hop aboard a magical carpet ride with Aladdin.
This Friday, Aladdin, Jasmine, and the Genie work their way back into our hearts, and lucky fans will attend an exclusive pre-screening on Thursday with M-Net Movies Night Out. Whether you’re joining us or reconnecting with Abu, Rajah, and Iago this weekend, here are just a few essential facts about the film to tide you over till then.
- The 2019 live-action remake is directed by Guy Ritchie. If you’ve watched Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, and the Robert Downey Jr-starring Sherlock Holmes, you’re already familiar with his work.
- This is the first time Gilbert Gottfried will not return to voice Iago. The scarlet macaw will be voiced instead by Alan Tudyk, who has lent his vocal cords to Ice Age, Wreck-It Ralph, Frozen, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, and Moana.
- The Genie, immortalised by Robin Williams in the 1992 animation, is played by Will Smith, whose performance is a combination of live-action, CGI, and motion-capture.
- Aladdin and Jasmine are played by Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott. They also do their own singing for the characters. In the 1992 version Aladdin and Jasmine were brought to life by two performers each: Scott Weinger was the voice, and Brad Kane the singing voice, for Aladdin; while Linda Larkin voiced Jasmine, and Lea Salonga sang for her.
- On The Graham Norton Show, Naomi Scott revealed that her brother is a massive Will Smith fan. His wedding dance was even inspired by Gettin’ Jiggy With It.
- New characters in the film include Dalia, a handmaiden to Jasmine, played by New Girl’s Nasim Pedrad. You may also recognise Billy Magnussen, who plays Prince Anders, from the new series, Tell Me a Story.
- There is a cast member from the 1992 version involved. Frank Welker reprises his voice roles as Abu the monkey, Rajah the tiger, and the Cave of Wonders.
- Alan Menken, who wrote the score for the 1992 film, is back for the 2019 version. He co-wrote the new songs with Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who are known for their musical hits from La La Land and The Greatest Showman.
- Expect to hear the classic songs you love, as well as new ones, including one called Speechless.
- Filming took place in England and Jordan, in the Wadi Rum desert.
Missed out on tickets for the pre-screening? Enter June’s M-Net Movies Night Out HERE and you could be joining us for Dark Phoenix.