After Disney’s live-action adaptation of Aladdin made over $1 billion at the worldwide box office, it came as no surprise that the studio quickly began developing a sequel. But four years later, we’ve heard very little about the project moving forward. Collider recently sat down with Guy Ritchie and asked him if he will be returning to direct Aladdin 2.
“I’d very much like to,” Guy Ritchie said. “I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed that experience. It was a great experience. That whole Disney thing, as you can imagine, is such a professional outfit. Just from that perspective, it was so much fun. I would very much like to, we’ll wait and see.” The director added that they’ve “been kicking some ideas around for some time now, but it’d be great to do, it would be great to go back there.“
Mena Massoud, who played Aladdin in the live-action movie, offered an update on Aladdin 2 last year. “I don’t know that there is movement,” Massoud said. “There was a change with the writers, and they are working on a brand new draft. That’s all I know. If Aladdin 2 happens, that’s fantastic. I think it should happen. Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich of Rideback Productions, who did the Lego movies and Aladdin, want to make sure they get this right. So if we do see Aladdin 2, it’s not going to be based off the animated version at all. This is going to be a brand new original story.” The original Aladdin was followed by two direct-to-video sequels, The Return of Jafar and Aladdin and the King of Thieves.
As for whether Will Smith will return as the Genie for Aladdin 2, Guy Ritchie has said that he wouldn’t hesitate to ask the actor back, despite the whole Oscar slap controversy. “I’ve never met a more lovely man, and working with him was one of the most wonderful, great experiences I’ve ever had,” Ritchie said. “I never saw anything other than the consummate, generous gentleman. I wouldn’t have any issue casting Will Smith in anything because, as I say, he was just the fucking perfect gentleman.”
Are you down for Aladdin 2, and would you like Guy Ritchie to return as director?
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