Dreamcasting Disney's Live-Action Aladdin
The Disney Live action train is moving along rather smoothly, with the most recent release reaping [...]
Sayed Badreya as Sultan
The Sultan is a rather lovable figure, wholly intent on keeping his kingdom safe and protecting his lovely daughter Jasmine. In the original film the Sultan has the rank and title but isn't really respected by the other characters, and that would need to be addressed in the live-action remake.
Enter actor Sayed Badreya, who could easily bring a strength of presence to the role but still has that approachability the character is known for. Disney would also hopefully add a bit more depth to the character ala Maurice in Beauty and the Beast.
Shaun Toub as Jafar
For Jafar, you need an actor who can retain his villainous aura through the film, even when interacting with characters like Iago and Genie. There has to be a self-assuredness and quiet confidence to pull t off, and actor Shaun Toub has both of those. He commands the attention of a room but doesn't necessarily give away all of his motivations.
Plus, he's going to have to not laugh at the constant chirping of Iago, which is truly going to be difficult.
Kevin Hart as Iago
Iago is one of the biggest avenues for comic relief and was played perfectly in the original by Gilbert Godfried. A live-action film needs some star power, though, and you can't get any hotter than comedian Kevin Hart for this modern retelling.
It would be very easy to just slip Godfried back into the role, but Disney has shown that they aren't fans of porting actors over from the originals, even if they are rather iconic. The seriousness of Toub's performance as Jafar would be well countered by Hart's performance as Iago, who could very easily steal the show.
Rami Malek As Aladdin
With Beauty and the Beast, Disney paired a known actress in Emma Watson with a talented but less known actor in Dan Stevens. With Aladdin that would be reversed, with Rami Malek in the Aladdin role. Malek is known from Twilight: Breaking Dawn and more notably his stellar role in Mr. Robot, and would bring a fresh take to the character.
As for if he can sing? Well, that is hard to say, but he could certainly do wonders with the part. Hopefully, he can manage it.
Necar Zadegan as Jasmine
Paired with Malek in the lead roles is Necar Zadegan as the lovely Princess Jasmine. Zadegan has done most of her work in television, with stints on 24, Extant, and her current series Girlfriends Guide To Divorce.
Zadegan has been working in the theater since she was 16, so she has experience with these sorts of musical productions. There's also something quite exotic about her, something that is essential to playing the fan-favorite Jasmine.
James Monroe Iglehart as the Genie
No one could ever hope to replicate the performance by Robin Williams as the Genie, and Disney seems to be well aware of that. That's why for their Broadway version of Aladdin they cast James Monroe Iglehart in the role, who brought a vibrancy very unique to his characterization but still retained the over the top elements of the role.
Typically Disney doesn't port over its Broadway actors to feature roles, but in this case, that might be the best move.
Shiva as Raja
In case you weren't aware, there is a shortage of Tigers in the screen actors guild, but only the best need apply for the role of Jasmine's best buddy Raja. Why not then bring in an established talent, one who already has proved her fierceness.
That would be The Walking Dead's Shiva, who has tasted a savior or two in her time. This time around she would get to relax in the posh surroundings of the palace, though, so it might be enough to coax her out of retirement.
Curious George as Abu
Sure you could enlist Marcel, Caesar, or Dunston (of "Checks In" 1 and 2 fame...can you call that fame, though?), but why not go classic and bring on board a children's icon just as renowned as Disney?
That would be Curious George, who has a cartoon at the moment but is always open to taking on new business opportunities, and could honestly use the money for that zen garden he's always wanted to build, though someone should probably tell him Zen Gardens don't have flat screens with endless airings of The People's Court.
Either way, maybe Disney should give him a call.
