Walt Disney Studios has released a new cast featurette for Guy Ritchie's
Aladdin. In the video, the "Cast of Wonders" discusses what made adapting the animated classic into a live-action movie so special and exciting.
"We're trying to stay truthful to the original, but we also wanted to give people something different," says Mena Massoud, who brings to life the iconic street rat, Aladdin.
"People are going to really fall in love with this incredible music," he adds, referring to composer Alan Menken's work on the score.
"It really was an extravaganza," says Will Smith, who had the pressure of portraying the Genie, a role made famous by the late Robin Williams. No easy task following in Williams' footsteps, Smith explains,
"As actors, we felt comfortable and confident to take shots. You get to just have wild fun." Naomi Scott, who plays Jasmine, and Mena Massoud both praise Smith's work as the Genie.
We also get to learn more about Dalia, a new character created specifically for this film. Dalia, portrayed by Nasim Pedrad, is Jasmine's best friend and appears the two actresses had some great chemistry on set.
Check out the featurette, which includes some new shots from the film, along with a newly released clip that offers a snippet of the iconic Genie song "
Never Had A Friend Like Me."
A thrilling and vibrant live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated classic, “Aladdin” is the exciting tale of the charming street rat Aladdin, the courageous and self-determined Princess Jasmine and the Genie who may be the key to their future. Directed by Guy Ritchie, who brings his singular flair for fast-paced, visceral action to the fictitious port city of Agrabah, “Aladdin” is written by John August and Ritchie based on Disney’s “Aladdin.” The film stars Will Smith as the Genie; Mena Massoud as Aladdin; Naomi Scott as Jasmine; Marwan Kenzari as Jafar; Navid Negahban as the Sultan; Nasim Pedrad as Dalia and Billy Magnussen as Prince Anders.
Aladdin rides into theaters on May 24.