Disney’s Aladdin is a live-action remake of the popular animated movie released in 1992 with the exact title that proved to be a massive success in 2019, collecting more than $1 billion globally. The movie stars Will Smith along with Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Navid Negahban, Nasim Pedrad, Marwan Kenzari, Billy Magnussen, Alan Tudyk, Numan Acar, and Frank Welker.

 

Despite the enormous achievement from the last movie, it took almost a year for the project to push forward. In February 2020, Andrea Berloff and John Gatins were hired by Disney to develop a whole new original script for Aladdin 2. While Guy Ritchie, who also directed the first movie, is on board to helm the much-anticipated Aladdin 2. Here’s what we know so far about it.

Aladdin 2: When can we see it? 

The release date for Aladdin 2 is not available as it is still in the production stages, but we have some updates from Mena Massoud. 

 

According to the star, the sequel is in development even though it’s still in the early phase. Massoud explained:

 

“They’re working on it. They’re trying to make it happen. That’s really all I know. As you know, usually actors are the last piece of the puzzle, so the studio has got a lot to worry about before they start thinking about the actors. Obviously,  I would hope that all of us come back and Naomi, Will, and I come back and the rest of the cast, Marwan, Navid, Nasim, everybody. But right now, as far as I know, they’re just working on the script and trying to make it happen.”

 

It seems like Aladdin 2 is stuck in the same place and not moving forward at all as it was in February 2020, with a new story in development, but no official cast is confirmed. It’s also possible that the pandemic delayed the production process or maybe some other reason which isn’t disclosed. 

Aladdin 2: What to expect?

The only assumption is that the upcoming live-action sequel would follow the storyline as in the animated movies. However, it was confirmed that Disney has no interest in retelling the same stories all over again. 

 

As per producer Dan Lin, the filmmakers have initially planned for a “new story.” 

 

He said, “What we’re talking about is not going to be a direct remake of any sequel that’s come out, the same way that our movie was not a direct remake of the first movie. We studied the original movie and saw what worked and what things we wanted to update, and if we’re lucky enough to make another movie, we will do that as well. But it’s not going to be a remake of any specific DVD sequel. It’ll be a new story.”

 

He resumed, “We are going to treat it the same way we treat the original Aladdin movie and not going to do a shot-by-shot remake of anything that’s been done before.

 

We’re really looking at what’s been done before in the past and the home video, and there’s just more story to tell with the underlying materials,” Lin continued. “So without giving away too much, we are certainly exploring where we can go with this franchise.”

Aladdin 2 Cast: Who will return?

The official cast lineup has not been revealed yet, but we’d expect to see the significant cast reprise their roles, including Will Smith as (Genie), Mena Massoud (as Aladdin), and Naomi Scott (as Jasmine).

 

In August 2019, producer Dan Lin revealed to Syfy Wire, “We’re looking at ‘[what’s] the best way to go with these characters. The audience; the response has really touched us; in thinking about where we can go; with these stories, and we feel like these characters have more adventures in store.”

 

It’s not known whether the other characters will return, but they likely will, and maybe the upcoming sequel will introduce some new characters to stir the plot, but so far, nothing has been confirmed yet.

 

Also, this upcoming movie will not just be a Disney plus original, unlike the previous film. The studio will put Aladdin 2 in cinemas to capitalize for more recognition of the brand differently.

 

Stay tuned for more new updates on Aladdin 2.