In Disney’s ongoing quest to get everyone online to complain, the studio has begun developing a Genie-centric Aladdin live-action prequel. The project isn’t too far along at the moment, but does have writers.
News of the project was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter, which has confirmed that Damian Shannon and Mark Swift were hired to write the film. Tripp Vinson, who produced Dwayne Johnson’s San Andreas and is working on Disney’s long-gestating Bob The Musical, is producing this project. Vinson is also producing the Prince Charming movie.
Ever wonder how the Genie got into the lamp? Probably not, but the new movie will try to answer that question. Disney hopes the film is a hit so they could then make a live-action d-mountain-live-action-film>Fantasia, Tinker Bell with Reese Witherspoon, Pinocchio, Dumbo/i>, Mulan and Winnie The Pooh. Live action versions of The JuAladdin movie.
The Genie was voiced by the late Robin Williams, who was effectively the first major star to voice an animated character and get to keep his own persona. It will be hard for anyone to hear a different voice coming from a Genie, but Tony winner James Monroe Iglehart seems to be doing a good job on Broadway.
Disney has so many other live-action movies in the works that are based on animated classics that it is starting to get hard to keep track of them. There’s and Beauty and the Beast are in production for next year.
Aladdin hits Blu-ray on Oct. 13.