Production is underway on Aladdin in London and the cast is still forming. From the critically and acclaimed Homeland, Navid Negahban has snagged the role of The Sultan, the bumbling and beloved ruler of Agrabah and father of Jasmine.
Negahban joins a cast that includes Mena Massoud (Jack Ryan) as Aladdin, Naomi Scott (Power Rangers) as Jasmine, Will Smith (Bad Boys) as the iconic Genie, Marwan Kenzari (The Mummy 2017) as the villainous Jafar, Numan Acar (Prison Break) as Head of the guards Akim, Nasim Pedrad (SNL) as Mara and recently cast Billy Magnussen (Into The Woods) as Prince Anders. Guy Ritchie (Sherlock Holmes) will direct.
Original Aladdin composer Alen Menken is on board to compose the remake. With Oscar winning songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land) on board to write new music for the film.
The live action adaptation will follow the same story as the 1992 hit animated film That follows a street urchin who vies for the love of a beautiful princess, and uses a genie’s magic power to make himself off as a prince in order to marry her.
Aladdin is expected to hit theaters sometime in 2019.
