Will Smith is rumoured to return as his famous character Genie in Disney’s 2019 live-action adaptation of Aladdin. The first film was a massive success and, the film might return with the original cast. For the unversed, 2019’s Aladdin was a huge hit at the box office both domestically and internationally. The film grossed $355.5 million domestically and $1.054 billion worldwide from a $180 million budget.
The sequel was officially announced in February 2020 with new writers penning the script. While the other details of the sequel have been kept under wraps, it is expected that Aladdin 2 might follow ‘The Return of Jafar.’ The 1994 film is about Jafar who comes for revenge on Aladdin, using a foolish thief and Iago’s treachery to find a way back into power. Just like Aladdin, its sequel will be taking an entirely new and fresh approach.
Meanwhile, further reports claimed that Mena Massoud, who played Aladdin, Naomi Scott aka Princess Jasmine and Smith would reprise their roles from the original though that was not confirmed. However, when asked about the sequel last month, Massoud said, “There was a change with the writers, and they are working on a new draft.” He added, “If Aladdin 2 happens, that’s fantastic. It should happen. It’s not going to be based on the animated version. This is going to be a new original story.”
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The latest news comes nearly a year after his infamous Oscar slap, which Eddie Murphy recently poked fun at the Golden Globes. Smith may win his first Oscar for King Richard just minutes after the slap, but it seems like his career has been at a standstill. The actor has resigned from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and he has been banned from the Oscars for the next 10 years. However, several of his projects have been put on hold with some of them cancelled. Smith recently appeared in the Apple Tv+ film Emancipation.