Aladdin is one of the most beloved Disney classics, and the latest film to get the live action reboot treatment.
The so-called street rat’s story is months from being released and yet the film is already causing a stir on the Hollywood rumour mill and Film Twitter.
Let’s be honest, the debate has thus far – after the first ever first look – mainly surrounded the new Genie, played by Will Smith, and his beard.
Fans have become accustomed to getting teasers galore for big upcoming releases. We had the first look photo leaks, and then the teaser trailer above.
But Disney devotees have finally been given a first ‘full’ glimpse of the Genie and his iconic lamp breakout in a newly released ‘special look’.
You can watch it below:
Of course, it wasn’t long until the various memes and jokes were surfacing on social media..
Walt Disney Studios have dubbed the film ‘a thrilling and vibrant live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated classic’.
You might think it’s the update literally no one needed or asked for, but if The Beauty and The Beast live-action is anything to go by, a new generation of kids probably deserve a bit of a modernisation.
In case you missed it, Aladdin is the exciting tale of the charming s0-called street rat, the courageous and self-determined Princess Jasmine, and the Genie who may be the key to their future.
Guy Ritchie is the director and the update has been written by he and John August, but it’s closely based on Disney’s Aladdin with Mena Massoud playing the titular role and Naomi Scott cast as Jasmine.
Eight-time Academy Award-winning composer Alan Menken provides the score, which set the Agrabah-based story apart from other Disney animations of its era.
While much of the film aspects are new, it is worth noting whoever slipped into the Genie’s size nine curly slippers was going to have a hard time replacing the late, beloved Robin Williams from Disney’s 1992 animated version.
Williams’ energetic and iconic performance as the hyperactive Genie was one of the original’s biggest selling points and is arguably the reason the film is so widely beloved.
Smith himself has admitted he was ‘terrified’ of trying to replace Williams and has said he’s done his best to pay homage to his take on the Genie.
He told Entertainment Tonight:
I was terrified doing the Genie after Robin Williams. But I found a lane that pays homage. It is my own thing, you know? So, I think people are going to love it.
It’s one of the greatest filmmaking experiences that I have ever had. I have worked at most of the studios, and Disney just knows what they are doing.
It was really a spectacular team of people that came together around a classic story. It’s so spectacular, it’s such a beautiful movie and I can’t wait for people to see it.
Aladdin is set for release on May 24, 2019.
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A former emo kid who talks too much about 8Chan meme culture, the Kardashian Klan, and how her smartphone is probably killing her. Francesca is a Cardiff University Journalism Masters grad who has done words for BBC, ELLE, The Debrief, DAZED, an art magazine you’ve never heard of and a feminist zine which never went to print.