‘Aladdin’ Live-Action Film Updates: Disney Taps Guy Ritchie to Direct; Musical Elements to Remain

‘Aladdin’ is a live-action film adaptation of Disney’s  classic animated musical film of the same name featuring the late Robin Williams. The studio reportedly tapped Guy Ritchie of ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ fame to direct the new film. Meanwhile, the 1992 film’s musical elements are set to remain.

According to Variety, Ritchie is in negotiations to direct the planned live-action adaptation of ‘Aladdin’. The 48-year old English filmmaker is best known for his crime films including 1998’s ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ and 2000’s ‘Snatch’. He achieved further international acclaim after helming the ‘Sherlock Holmes’ cinematic series starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law in the lead roles.

Ritchie’s film is described as an "ambitious and non-traditional" version of animated 1992 film. The screenplay was prepared by John August, known for his work on the films ‘Titan A.E.’, ‘Charlie’s Angels’, ‘Big Fish’, ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, ‘Corpse Bride’, and ‘Dark Shadows’. Dan Lin will be producing the film through his Lin Pictures banner while Jonathan Eirich will be executive producing.

The original Disney musical fantasy film featured the voices of the late Robin Williams as Genie, Scott Weinger as Aladdin, Linda Larkin as Princess Jasmine, Jonathan Freeman as Jafar, Frank Welker as Abu/Rajah/Cave of Wonders, Gilbert Gottfried as Iago, and Douglas Seale as Sultan.

According to Box Office Mojo, the 1992 musical film was a commercial success earning $504.05 million worldwide on a $28 million production budget. It was deemed the most successful film of that year and won numerous accolades, mostly from its original music. It won two Academy Awards for Best Music, Original Score and Best Music, Original Song for “A Whole New World.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the live-action adaptation is set to retain some musical elements from the original Disney film. It is yet to be determined how the studio will approach the portrayal of Genie, which was said to be one of Williams’ most memorable performances in movie history.

‘Aladdin’ is a planned live-action adaptation of the original Disney film based on the folktale “Aladdin and the Magic Lamp” from the collection of Middle Easter and South Asian stories ‘One Thousand and One Nights’.