At the D23 2017; Disney’s Annual Expo, it was announced that they have found their leading lady and leading man. Sources say that casting directors stationed in multiple countries searched over 2,000 actors for the roles. Mena Massoud; who was cast to play Aladdin is a relative newcomer and can be found in tv series such as Jack Ryan and Open Heart.
Naomi Scott; who was cast to play Princess Jasmine is known for her role as the pink ranger in Power Rangers. Massoud will be showing Scott the world on a magic carpet ride in Arabia in the Guy Ritchie-directed Aladdin musical remake. The duo will join Will Smith, who has been cast to play the Genie.
Disney is currently on the hunt for it’s villain Jafar, the Sultan and Jafar’s sidekick Lago. Adaddin will be the latest installment in Disney’s long-line of successful live-action adaptations of their classic animations. Aladdin is set to begin shooting in August in London [The Hollywood Reporter]