Guy Ritchie and Will Smith‘s live action adaptation of Disney’s ‘Aladdin’ has hit a snag.
What it is?
They can’t find Aladdin.
Smith signed on to portray Genie as Ritchie, who was married to Madonna and is a distant relative of Kate Upton, searches tirelessly for a man of Middle Eastern or Indian descent to take on its leading role.
His search has been a difficult one as they’re yet to find an actor in his 20s matches the character’s description who can act just as well as he can sing.
Problematic, as this he has been forced to hold off on pressing play on the movie’s production (set to kick off in July) because he’s still yet to find his leading man.
‘The Hollywood Reporter’ adds:
Sources say there have been several rounds of tests in London, with the actors coming in for up to two weeks at a time. “The test process was a mess,” says one agent with a client who tested.
While the studio had interest in Dev Patel, 27, and Riz Ahmed, 34, the male lead will likely be a newcomer. Sources say the studio is eyeing Power Rangers actress Naomi Scott, 24, or Indian actress Tara Sutaria, 21, to play Jasmine, but can’t lock the deal until the male lead has been selected since chemistry is so important to the story.
Disney not being able to find someone who can play Aladdin just goes to show how much the industry lacks in diversity
— Jose Torres (@LordTowers_) July 12, 2017
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WTF!! The dude Dave Patel..
The guy from slum dog millionaire
Umm… there’s like the entirety of the Bollywood universe. They’re not trying hard enough.
Exactly and even they apparently have said that it’s been hard to get auditions. There’s also really popular fan cast choices that have proven ability to sing and dance that also have confirmed that they haven’t auditioned. It honestly seems like a set up to cast a white guy and say “aw well we tried”.
Hello! Nowadays Bollywood is just as poppin/lucrative as Hollywood. Tons of actors could play Aladdin. All lies.
If they don’t gone head to INDIA AND SEE THE BOLLYWOOD STARS. They can sang and dance. Round these parts you’re gonna get Mindy Kaling Brother types.
Zayn Malik???
Can’t act and has serious anxiety problems. The boy couldn’t even go on tour to promote his album.
Get a Black or Hispanic actor instead. Maybe even a Polynesian or Filipino if they can so that people won’t complain about whitewashing.
This could be a major gig and land for Zayn if he could get over his anxiety issues.
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Only thing I would never hire him after his record of cancelations and fact he isn’t touring.
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Shame.
Zayn wouldn’t be a good fit for this at all. He has way too many tats for starters.
That Indian looking guy from Victorious and Tinashe????
They should get zayn to play him. Get him some confidence and acting classes and he can do it.
No…. Too many tattoos, and such a whiney lil bytch
Dev patel or a young bolloywood star!! there’s a ton of them to choose from. Also priyanka chopra would be perfect for jasmine
What about jay sean lord know he need a nice comeback
I hope Jade from Little Mix isn’t out of the running 🙁
Its sad that it is actually that difficult. Im sure if they held auditions outside of London, they will find what they are looking for.
They can take me. But actually I look like Mowgli ???
Hmmm….Where Are They Holdin’ Auditions For Aladdin?? I Do Have The Look, I Sing & Dance.
typical america. instead of searching for arab actors they head for indian actors