Aladdin 2 Director Answers Rumors About Recasting Will Smith

The 2019 live-action of the animated Disney classic Aladdin had a mixed reaction from critics and audiences but still managed a tremendous profit at the box office. The two lead actors, Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott, have confirmed their return for the sequel, which is in early development, but the third leading actor’s return seems rocky.

Will Smith’s Oscars controversy, where he slapped and berated comedian and actor Chris rock after the host made a joke at the actor’s expense, has already earned him a ten-year ban from the Academy’s events and nominations. The Bad Boys actor has received a massive backlash after the incident and has since posted many public apologies.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Aladdin director Guy Ritchie answered audiences’ questions about Will Smith’s role as Genie. The director said he had “no issue” welcoming back Smith since the actor is a “consummate, generous gentleman” in his books.

I’ve never met a more lovely man, and working with him was one of the most wonderful, great experiences I’ve ever had. I never saw anything other than the consummate, generous gentleman. I wouldn’t have any issue casting Will Smith in anything because, as I say, he was just the f——ng perfect gentleman.

The director’s view isn’t solitary as some bigwigs and viewers overlook the incident as a one-time thing where the usually collected actor loses his calm. And so far, the actor’s career hasn’t been overtly affected by the incident.

However, Smith has made his regrets and apologies known, acknowledging any such cutbacks as a sure possibility, and is prepared to take it in stride as a way to redeem himself.

But if other filmmakers in the Hollywood industry share Ritchie’s way of perceiving things, Smith may have nothing to worry about. He can definitely count on Ritchie for his role as Genie in the Aladdin sequel!

Aladdin 2 is currently in the early development stages. We’ll just have to wait and see if Smith returns to the role or decides to leave.

About Aladdin

Aladdin is a 2019 American musical fantasy film directed by Guy Ritchie from a screenplay he co-wrote with John August. It is a live-action adaptation of Disney’s 1992 animated film of the same name.

The plot follows Aladdin, a street urchin, as he falls in love with Princess Jasmine, befriends a wish-granting Genie, and battles the wicked sorcerer Jafar.

The film stars Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Marwan Kenzari, Navid Negahban, Nasim Pedrad and Billy Magnussen.

Source: HollywoodReporter