While we're patiently waiting for the live-action remake of Disney's Lion King, it's the live-action Aladdin remake that's causing a ruckus right now. No, not because of that selfie Will Smith posted with the cast; it's the fact that they've added a white character to a movie that had none.
Billy Magnussen (The Big Short, Ingrid Goes West) has been cast as a character named Prince Anders, who definitely wasn't in the 1992 Aladdin or in, as The Independentpoints out, the original Aladdin and the Magic Lamp folk story didn't include any white character either. This, as per usual, has people lobbing whitewashing claims at Disney, similar to what happened with Naomi Scott, a biracial British actress who is not of Arab descent who was cast as Princess Jasmine.
As per usual, this caused an uproar on Twitter, with many calling Disney into question for the casting decision.
#aladdin I am so confused to why they add a new white character to a complete story that is set in the Middle East?🤦🏽♀️ pic.twitter.com/71xzOpFXCS
I hope the new #Aladdin remake flops so hard. May the directors burn in a special place in white-washed hell. pic.twitter.com/anCPnWF0BU
"The story of Aladdin is almost perfect. But you know what it's missing? A white prince that wasn't in the original..."
-- Said Nobody Ever
How can Disney possibly believe that a movie as WIDELY loved as Aladdin wouldn't do well without a white guy. It's been on Broadway A DECADE
Why did they add a white prince to #Aladdin? This is going to be a disaster 🤦🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/0Hjrs2FNzT
As of now, Disney has not released any statements regarding the addition of Prince Anders or why a white actor was added into the movie. Without word from Disney regarding why this was necessary, it's hard to not speculate on WHY this would happen.
THEY WILL BEND OVER BACKWARDS TO INSERT A WHITE CHARACTER OUT OF THIN AIR.#Aladdin #BillyMagnussen https://t.co/hnSmTfOSTb pic.twitter.com/WkzQP12pI5
