Film News

Live-Action Aladdin Announces New Release Date

The film reboot trades places with ”Star Wars: Episode IX” on Disney’s calendar.

Will Smith will play the Genie in Disney's live-action remake of Aladdin.
Will Smith will play the Genie in Disney's live-action remake of Aladdin.
(© Tristan Fuge)

According to various sources, Disney's live-action Aladdin film has moved its release date from December 20, 2019, to May 24, 2019, trading premiere dates with Star Wars: Episode IX, which named J.J. Abrams as its director earlier today.

As previously anounced, the live-action reboot of the 1992 animated feature will star Mena Massoud as Aladdin, Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine, Will Smith as the Genie, and Marwan Kenzari as Jafar. Tony nominee Billy Magnussen will also join as Prince Anders, a new role created for the film. Guy Ritchie will direct, with a screenplay by John August.

Aladdin was originally released in 1992, featuring music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. The cast of voices included Scott Weinger (Aladdin), Robin Williams (Genie), Jonathan Freeman (Jafar), and Linda Larkin (Jasmine), with Tony winner Lea Salonga supplying the singing voice of Jasmine.

The stage musical Aladdin opened at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre on March 20, 2014, with Jonathan Freeman reprising his original performance as Jafar. The production earned five Tony nominations, including Best Musical and Best Original Score.