A live action adaption of "Aladdin" is in the works at Disney, but the Mouse House is reportedly having a hard time casting the title character, and Twitter doesn't understand why.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, "finding a male lead in his 20s who can act and sing has proven difficult — especially since the studio wants someone of Middle-Eastern or Indian descent." And while established stars like Riz Ahmed ("Rogue One: A Star Wars Story") and Dev Patel ("Slumdog Millionaire") were flagged by the studio, it now sounds like the film will end up casting a newcomer in the role.
Names like Achraf Koutet, Mena Massoud and George Kosturos are "still in the running," while "Power Rangers" star Naomi Scott and Indian actress Tara Sutaria are being considered for the princess of Agrabah. Will Smith has already been cast as the Genie.
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View StoryTwitter has been having a field day with the casting struggle, both criticizing Hollywood and offering up suggestions for who else could play the famous street rat. "The Big Sick" and "Silicon Valley" star Kumail Nanjiana even joked, "What am I chopped liver?
What am I, chopped liver? https://t.co/SfhZ91y8n5
@kumailn
Apparently, because so far "Victorious" alum Avan Jogia is getting the most support online, with the below tweets getting major likes and retweets.
"we can't find someone who can sing and can dance to play Aladdin" pic.twitter.com/gPnJIj8dL8
@mightywilk
Y'all are sleeping on Avan Jogia and Jade Thrilwall for Aladdin. THEY BOTH CAN SING AND LOOK SIMILAR TO THE CHARACTERS AND CAN ACT pic.twitter.com/l78ef0dZwB
@mariahnmichael
Excuse me but HOW is @Disney struggling to find an #Aladdin when @AvanJogia exists?! pic.twitter.com/QDTD4DHb8u
@Ariana_noGrande
What about @AvanJogia ? Very good actor (watch him in #Tut miniseries) and very handsome. Not sure he can sing/dance. #Aladdin pic.twitter.com/PvR5NCPyIs
@stargazer0118
YO GUY RITCHIE I FOUND AN ALADDIN pic.twitter.com/4QTAd5poBD
@princesssrenn
avan jogia or 'beck from victorious' could look, act, and dance the part of aladdin and disney still struggling to find someone? smh pic.twitter.com/FaHcVV0bMv
@nykaiya
@AvanJogia literally would be the best Aladdin pic.twitter.com/LGRJHDPvMM
@Starla12Perez
@AvanJogia IS SO PERFECT FOR THE ROLE!!!! ⚡️ “Disney is reportedly struggling to find its Aladdin”https://t.co/jdfiQT6eWx pic.twitter.com/bBBEfcO7H7
@heyastalker
If @AvanJogia isn't in this live action Aladdin I don't wanna see it
@CoreyHew
Jogia seemingly responded to the fan support with the following tweet:
Other suggestions include:
Disney: "We can't cast Aladdin"
@Anna32516
Zayn: *Is amazing singer, and looks like Aladdin's twin*
Disney:.......
Zayn:😁 pic.twitter.com/oNtMXLSNzo
Dear @DisneyStudios I introduce you to the future Aladdin @TheManishDayal #Aladdincast #Aladdin pic.twitter.com/8cxPAgtHZD
@danilu82
"It's hard to find an actor for Aladdin."
@jaaaaaasleeen
Me: Avan Jogia, Ranveer Singh, Dev Patel, Riz Ahmed, Mahershala Ali, Fawad Khan, Rami Malek & etc. pic.twitter.com/f6DAI1HSxA
HAS ANYONE CONSIDERED ASKING RANVEER SINGH ABOUT ALADDIN CUZ I DEF WOULDN'T MIND HIM ON MY SCREEN FOR 2 HOURS NOPE #Aladdin pic.twitter.com/gzkvhxp542
@femmeequal
Rami Malek for Aladdin. He's talented and he's middle eastern.
@brcwnskinned
.@iHrithik needs to be Aladdin, jasmine should be Aishwarya Rai, genie should be @SrBachchan
@rswankk
Thank my vision later @Disney 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/yoTuVDH6WQ
Guy Richie better not cast Tom Hardy as Jaffar in the live action film of Aladdin now @TJRamini on the other hand would be a great choice pic.twitter.com/bgAjNwOJyB
@DekaDMichael11
Disney should just cast @azizansari as Aladdin I'd watch that in heart beat!
@KingJ323
As for the more savage reactions to THR's report ...
and uh...how exactly is Disney having trouble casting aladdin???.... pic.twitter.com/5YRqUsnzah
@museumofdef
Why is everyone acting like Disney isn't going to choose Kristen Stewart and Andrew Garfield to play Jasmine and Aladdin.
@ASAPGrizzly12
Aladdin producers if u are looking for someone to play as jafar..I know somheone who would perfectly fit the character...say no more... pic.twitter.com/CKGlnKVA6O
@daniah_abd
disney remembering they can't cast a white man as aladdin: pic.twitter.com/aezTAeNyyQ
@dereonjean
I think Disney is just trying to find a way to break the news to the public that Will Smith forced them to cast Jaden as Aladdin
@kylestweetering