The first live-action Aladdin film was directed by Guy Ritchie, who penned the script with John August. Along with Smith as the Genie, the film starred Mena Massoud in the titular role, with other cast members including Naomi Scott, Marwan Kenzari, Navid Negahban, Nasim Pedrad, and Billy Magnussen.

Who was supposed to play Genie in Aladdin?

Controversially, Will Smith would play the Genie in Aladdin (the 2019 live-action remake), taking over from the late Williams. Still, Robin Williams' deal with Disney makes his iconic role as the Genie in the original Aladdin even better, even if Disney broke their agreement.

Why was Will Smith the Genie?

Stepping into the role of the Genie in Guy Ritchie's live-action Aladdin, Smith tells EW he wanted to both pay homage to the late Robin Williams' Genie from the iconic 1992 animated Aladdin film, but also bring his own signature comedy to the role (and yes, he will be blue in the film).

Is Will Smith going to be in Aladdin 2?

According to The Sun, Will Smith is reprising his role as the Genie in Disney's Aladdin 2. The live-action sequel would be Smith's first role since he slapped the taste out of Chris Rock's mouth at the Oscars.

Who is the princess in Aladdin with Will Smith?

Naomi Scott is a multi-talented actor, singer, and songwriter. She stars as "Jasmine" in Disney's blockbuster live-action remake Aladdin (2019), alongside Mena Massoud and Will Smith, directed by Guy Ritchie. Disney released the film in May 2019, and it became one of the biggest films of the year.

Will Smith Used His 'Fresh Prince' Persona as Inspiration for Genie in 'Aladdin'

How did Will Smith feel about playing the Genie?

While talking about the role, Smith explained that his first instinct about playing the character was “fear,” telling the crowd, “This definitely started with fear [because] what Robin Williams did with this character — he just didn't leave a lot of room to add to the Genie. I started off fearful.”

Why does Genie have 4 fingers?

The most popular explanation for why cartoon characters only have four fingers is all about the animation process, as drawing only four fingers instead of five is a lot easier and thus saves the animators and the studio time and money.

Did Robin Williams improvise Genie?

To many fans, however, Williams is best known as the voice of the Genie in the Disney animated classic Aladdin. The actor broke barriers with his no-holds-barred performance, helping the film to become a huge success. And he improvised hours of comedic material in the process.

Why didn t Robin Williams play Genie in Aladdin 2?

Robin only refused to come back for the second Aladdin movie because he had issues with Disney stemming from the way his Genie character was advertised in the first movie, (which he told the company not to do when he agreed to do the voice and they didn't listen).

Why did Robin Williams fall out with Disney?

A broken agreement over merchandising led to a public feud between Disney and Robin Williams, resulting in his recasting and a sour relationship. Disney's new chairman eventually issued a public apology to Williams, resolving the feud and bringing him back to voice the Genie in a later Aladdin installment.

Why is the Genie upset with Aladdin?

Talking with the Genie again, Aladdin tells him that the people in Agrabah say that "Prince Ali" is actually Aladdin and after discussing the lie he did with Jasmine, Genie becomes very upset and disappointed for Aladdin's claim to which he feels upset about himself in pretending to be a prince.

Why is there a warning for Aladdin?

Disney has added a content advisory warning to well-loved family films, such as 1992's Aladdin, that says the stereotypes "were wrong then and are wrong now". The warning advises that there are negative depictions or mistreatment of people or cultures in some of its Disney+ films.

Why are people upset about Aladdin?

The film has been criticized for having a European view of the Middle East instead of an accurate portrayal of the region. Critics have also said Aladdin doesn't accurately portray the Middle East or Northern African culture, which is where Aladdin takes place.

What is the problem in Aladdin story?

Critics of the film and the story itself argue that the tale of Aladdin is inherently racist and Orientalist, and, regardless of the setting, is simply a colonial European view of the “exotic” East.

Is Jafar Aladdin's dad?

Background. Cassim is the father of Aladdin. Long before the events of the first film, he left his wife and young son in order to find a better life for the poverty-stricken family. While he was gone, Aladdin's mother died, leaving Aladdin as a presumed orphan.

Did Robin Williams improvise Aladdin?

During the course of recording the voices, the late Robin Williams improvised so much they had almost sixteen hours of material. Because Robin Williams ad-libbed so many of his lines, the script was rejected for a Best Adapted Screenplay Academy Award nomination.

Is Aladdin based on Tom Cruise?

The rise of our current era of big names plastered over animated film posters has been traced back to Robin Williams in the 1992 Aladdin. And it's that same Aladdin that gives Tom Cruise a connection — albeit a loose one — to animation: he was actually a model for the main character.

Why is the return of Jafar so bad?

Storyline wise it's just a short reprise of the main film really, and it truly is short, even for an animated move. The worst aspect is, of course, the lack of Robin Williams portraying the Genie, Dan Castellaneta does his best, but he's only ever a poor imitation of the original performance.

Why was Aladdin 4 cancelled?

Robin Williams Denied His Voice To Be Used For 25 Years

Whether Disney was actually planning Aladdin 4 before the untimely death of Robin Willaims or not, Willaims made it clear in his will that he didn't want his voice clips from the original Aladdin to be used in any media for the next 25 years after his death.

Did Disney public apologize to Robin Williams?

Finally, in 1994, Joe Roth took over for Katzenberg as Chairman of the Studios and publicly apologized to Williams. He even returned for Aladdin and the King of Thieves (1996). In 2009, Williams was inducted as a Disney Legend at D23, and all was forgotten about the feud.

Who replaced Robin Williams in Aladdin?

Following a contract dispute between Williams and Disney, Dan Castellaneta voiced the Genie throughout the direct-to-video feature The Return of Jafar, as well as the television series, before Williams reprised the role for the final installment, Aladdin and the King of Thieves, as well as for the character's own mini- ...

Why didn t Robin Williams play in Return of Jafar?

Due to a well publicized bitter fall-out over the use of his voice in the marketing campaign for Aladdin, Robin Williams refused to reprise the role of the Genie, and was instead replaced by Dan Castellaneta (best known for voicing Homer Simpson in The Simpsons).

How much did Robin Williams make for Aladdin King of Thieves?

In September 1995, it was confirmed that Robin Williams would reprise the role of the Genie reportedly for a $1 million salary after he received an apology from Joe Roth for Disney breaching an agreement not to use his voice to merchandise products inspired by Aladdin.

Is Jafar in love with Jasmine?

The villain's plan eventually evolves to him staging a forced marriage with the princess, but a clear infatuation with Jasmine is built up throughout the movi. And, by the end of Aladdin, it is responsible for the grossest moment in any Disney film because of it.