Guy Ritchie will cast Indian actors as Aladdin and Jasmin after facing backlash

Ritchie was accused of 'whitewashing' the Disney remake of Aladdin after rumours of casting Tom Hardy as Jafar surfaced

02 Jul, 2017

Looks like Disney's live-action remake of Aladdin may finally see authentic representation of characters.

According to Mumbai Mirror, the Hollywood director has now set eyes on Indian actors for his upcoming film after facing backlash for allegedly planning on casting Tom Hardy as Jafar in Aladdin.

Ritchie has roped in casting director Tess Joseph to help him find actors suitable for the roles. Joseph has been touring India and holding auditions for the the past few weeks, the team hopes to finalise the actors soon. He is known for finding fitting actors for roles and is credited with picking suitable Indian artists for Life of Pi, The Namesake and Lion.

"The basic requirement are actors who can sing like Broadway artists. While some popular actor-singers have already auditioned, the team is still looking for its leads. The live-action film will be shot in London later this year," a source close to the production told the publication.

Last month, when rumours of Tom Hardy being cast as the film's villain, Jafar, made headlines, fans took social media by storm protesting against such a decision, claiming that 'representation matters.' Guess the filmmakers realised the importance of accurate portrayal in films.

Ritchie has some hit Hollywood films under his belt like Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels (1998), Snatch (2000) and RocknRolla (2008).

Comments

saquib mumtaz Jul 02, 2017 04:11pm

Cast fawad khan

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ANI, jnk Jul 02, 2017 11:40pm

Tiger Shroff as Aladdin and Kriti Sanon as Jasmine. Also Irfan Khan as Jafar.

Baba ladla Jul 03, 2017 12:07am

@saquib mumtaz Aladdin is supposed to be in his tweens and not middle aged!

Mani Jul 03, 2017 12:52am

Ali Zafar can sing, can act and looks 26.

TamilselVan Jul 03, 2017 12:55am

@saquib mumtaz . Guy anyway can't act but it's not necessary here but can he at least sing?

Chacha Jee Jul 03, 2017 02:31am

@saquib mumtaz It will face boycott in India which has now emerged Hollywood's one of the largest bxoffice market.

Gurpreet Singh Jul 03, 2017 03:15am

There are many Indian actors who would fit in seamlessly.

Usman Jul 03, 2017 03:24am

If you really want to cast true reflection, how an Indian can represent aladdin?

Aaron Jul 03, 2017 06:27am

Aladdin is an Arab not an Indian, so not really authentic.

NiajiSAMA Jul 03, 2017 06:28am

Lol, Aladin was an arab and there is plenty of talent in Arab cinema, but hey what the heck Arabs and Indians are both brown just cast an indian, they are both brown right. #hollywood logic

isha Jul 03, 2017 01:02pm

@saquib mumtaz fawad is in pakistan and their team is finding actors in india

Asli baat Jul 03, 2017 03:44pm

For all my friends who think alladdin was Arab.... You guys really need to read 1000 and 1 nights .... Also known as Arabian nights ...... Story begins as in a land far far east..... Also in some versions it is said Aladin lived in China. Your welcome. ( Haryanvi).

Hassaan khalid Jul 03, 2017 04:11pm

Indians? As in from Bharat? Even many Pakistanis wouldn't be right for the part. They should cast Middle Easterners.

me and my ovice Jul 04, 2017 10:25am

Why not Middle eastern actors? What India has to do with Aladin? What a ignorance.

Aamer Jul 04, 2017 11:19am

Alladin was a Arab, so why Indians. Arabs and Indians dont look the same. I rather they look for actors in Arab countries.

okhajut Jul 05, 2017 04:28am

Aladin is Arab right from Baghdad. Why you want Indian actors in there then?

ASghar Jul 05, 2017 09:23am

@Asli baat judging from the names, closest I get is Alaudin and Yasmeen. Not Chinese to the best of my knowledge.

Usman Jul 05, 2017 10:13am

Hritik Roshan as Aladin Priyanka Chopra as Jasmine