Fans have taken online to share their dislike of the ‘first look’ of Disney‘s new CGI remake of Aladdin.
Directed by Guy Ritchie, the new take on the iconic tale sees newcomer Mena Massoud star as the eponymous prince of thieves. He’s joined by British star Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine, while Will Smith takes over from the late Robin Williams as the Genie. The film is set for release on May 24, 2019.
After a very brief teaser trailer of the film emerged earlier this year, images of the main cast along with insight into the movie’s making have now been shared by Entertainment Weekly.
We can show you the world… of Disney’s live-action #Aladdin! Get a shining, shimmering, splendid first look at the reimagined classic in our magical First Look issue: https://t.co/Kwkcdfen5v pic.twitter.com/7NbyiRRcLH
— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) December 19, 2018
However, the images haven’t landed too well with fans of the original. Many have argued that it resembles a poster for a pantomime, while others are just expressing how they’re less than excited for the film to drop.
Looks a bit too panto for me, surprised half the cast of Hollyoaks aren't in it! #Aladdin pic.twitter.com/EJIVLp0RmV
— Punchy McSlap ?Getting Old? (@punchymcslap) December 19, 2018
As if they got Will Smith to star in a panto #Aladdin pic.twitter.com/SA9rvKg4OR
— Reece Thorpe (@Greasey_Reece) December 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/SuzySways/status/1075408920192126981
— Dan Gimeno (@dangims) December 19, 2018
— Ronny Soetriyanto (@onieronny) December 19, 2018
— • J2 Thank You 3000 • (@ConnerB96_) December 19, 2018
Aladdin and Jasmine look awsome but I mean…I mean… pic.twitter.com/VFHrabWGUy
— Krstulfr Dreyruga (@PrideofTheNorse) December 19, 2018
— jerry? (@myjerryamour) December 19, 2018
— trips14 (@trips14) December 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/KFI117/status/1075381453796462593
This comes after Disney responded to claims that white actors used ‘Brownface’ on set of Aladdin.
Actor Kaushal Odedra worked on the Guy Ritchie directed film as an extra, and claimed that he personally witnessed “around twenty” white actors who were transformed to appear Arabian.
In a statement, the film giant confirmed a “handful of instances” where white background performers were used “when it was a matter of speciality skills, safety and control.”
Responding directly to the claims, a Disney spokesperson said that “great care” had been taken in order to ensure the diversity of Aladdin.
“Great care was taken to put together one of the largest, most diverse casts ever seen on screen,” a Disney spokesman said. “Diversity of our cast and background performers was a requirement and only in a handful of instances when it was a matter of specialty skills, safety and control (special effects rigs, stunt performers and handling of animals) were crew made up to blend in.”
Meanwhile, the first trailer for the forthcoming live-action remake of The Lion King has arrived – and it’s already splitting movie fans right down the middle. The trailer became Disney’s most-watched trailer debut of all time
This was followed by tens of thousands of people signing a petition to prevent Disney from using the phrase ‘hakuna matata‘.