Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott to star in Disney’s ‘Aladdin’

After a very public man-hunt for an actor, Disney has finally locked on newcomer Mena Massoud to play Aladdin in the remake of the classic. In fact, before finally casting Massoud, makers had issued a global audition call for the part.

While the film was supposed to go on floors in the beginning of this month, it was the casting of the lead that led to the shooting getting postponed.

Mena Massoud, who is a known face on Television and was seen in a few short films, will be seen playing the titular lead in Guy Ritchie’s musical. The British actress, Naomi Scott, who is remembered for her role as the Pink Ranger in ‘Power Rangers’ will step in the shoes of Princess Jasmine. ‘Hitch’ actor Will Smith will be seen taking on the role of the iconic, Genie.

Helmed by Guy Ritchie, this live-action musical film is slated to go on floors in the coming weeks. The original animated movie, a Disney classic, was a comic take on the Arabic folk tale of a young man granted three wishes by a genie trapped in a lamp. ‘Aladdin’ was the highest-grossing film of the year in 1992, and won Academy Awards for best score and best song for ‘A Whole New World’.