May, 2019 - Horsing Around In LA

Aladdin

By Erin

Disney’s Aladdin is in theaters now! Such a thrilling and vibrant live-action adaptation of the studio’s animated classic, brings back so much 90’s nostalgia from my childhood. The exciting tale of the charming street rat Aladdin, the courageous and self-determined Princess Jasmine, and the Genie who may be the key to their future. Starring Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Marwan Kenzari, Navid Negahban, Nasim Pedrad, Billy Magnussen and Numan Acar. Aladdin is directed by Guy Ritchie from a screenplay by John August and Ritchie based on Disney’s Aladdin by Ron Clements & John Musker and Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio. The film is produced by Dan Lin, p.g.a., and Jonathan Eirich, p.g.a., with Marc Platt and Kevin De La Noy serving as executive producers. Alan Menken provides the score, which includes new recordings of the original songs writen by Menken and lyricists Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. New music written by Menken and songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

The Magical Story starts of in the streets of Agrabah, that is home to Aladdin (Mena Massoud), a lovable street rat who is eager to leave his life of petty thievery behind, believing he is destined for much greater things. Across town, the Sultan’s daughter, Princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott ), harbors dreams of her own. She longs to experience life beyond the palace walls and use her title to better serve the people of Agrabah, but her father is extremely overprotective and her handmaiden, Dalia (Nasim Pedrad), keeps close tabs on her. The Sultan (Navid Negahban) is preoccupied with finding a suitable husband for his daughter, while Jafar (Marwan Kenzari), his loyal and trusted advisor and a powerful sorcerer, is frustrated with the Sultan’s passive stance on Agrabah’s future and is devising a plan to assume the throne himself.

It’s the same story we have come to know a love with a few twists and turns, a new character along with new songs you are going to love. The visuals are stunning and Will Smith does the best he can to fill the big shoes of the Genie that Robin Williams left behind. Robin Williams is irreplaceable, but Will helps capture the magic and wit of the Genie.

Aladdin (Mena Massoud) meets the larger-than-life blue Genie (Will Smith) in Disney’s live-action adaptation ALADDIN, directed by Guy Ritchie.

Here are a few fun facts about the making of the film that shows just how much thought, planning and detail went into making Aladdin.

Production designer Gemma Jackson, who won an Emmy Award® for her production design work on “Game of Thrones,” was tasked with bringing Agrabah to life. She envisioned the city as a gateway to the Eastern world with a vibrant array of colors, cultures and sounds. Her inspirations came primarily from Moroccan, Persian and Turkish architecture and featured elements of Arab, Indian and South Asian cultures, since Agrabah is an Arab country on the Silk Road where cultural influences from other cultures in the regions could be found. The art department, under the supervision of Gemma Jackson, built the massive Agrabah set outdoors on a tarmac the size of two football fields at Longcross Studios in just 15 weeks.

Set decoration for Agrabah included fabrics, textiles and carvings similar to those found in Marrakesh, lots of colorful woods, metals, fruits and vegetables and a 1,000-year-old olive tree.

The Agrabah courtyard, market stalls, narrow alleys and cluttered rooftops were designed to accommodate the extensive choreography and stunts featured in the musical numbers “One Jump Ahead” and “Prince Ali.”

Meeting the Cast of Aladdin & a Special Performance by Alan Menken!

By Erin

A thrilling and vibrant live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated classic, “Aladdin” is the exciting tale of the charming street rat Aladdin, the courageous and self-determined Princess Jasmine and the Genie who may be the key to their future. The 1992 animated film starred Robin Williams and featured such memorable songs as the Oscar®-winning “A Whole New World” and “Friend like Me.” The film grossed more than $502 million at the global box office, which led to successful stage productions on Broadway and abroad as well as a North American touring company. Audiences of all ages are sure to love this new live-action version of the beloved film.

Directed by Guy Ritchie (“Sherlock Holmes,” “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.”), written by John August (“Dark Shadows,” “Big Fish”) and Ritchie based on Disney’s “Aladdin.” Staring Will Smith (“Ali,” “Men in Black”) as the larger-than-life Genie; Mena Massoud (“Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan”) as the charming scoundrel Aladdin; Naomi Scott (“Power Rangers”) as Jasmine, the beautiful, self- determined princess; Marwan Kenzari (“Murder on the Orient Express”) as Jafar, the powerful sorcerer; Navid Negahban (“Legion”) as the Sultan concerned with his daughter’s future; Nasim Pedrad (“Saturday Night Live”) as Dalia, Princess Jasmine’s free-spirited best friend and confidante; Billy Magnussen (“Into the Woods”) as the handsome and arrogant suitor Prince Anders; and Numan Acar (“The Great Wall”) as Hakim, Jafar’s right-hand man and captain of the palace guards.

“Aladdin” is produced by Dan Lin, p.g.a., (“Sherlock Holmes”) and Jonathan Eirich, p.g.a., (“Death Note“) with Oscar® nominee and Golden Globe® winner Marc Platt (“La La Land”) and Kevin De La Noy (“The Dark Knight Rises”) serving as executive producers. Eight-time Academy Award®-winning composer Alan Menken (“Beauty and the Beast,” “The Little Mermaid”) provides the score, which includes new recordings of the original songs written by Menken and Oscar-winning lyricists Howard Ashman (“Little Shop of Horrors”) and Tim Rice (“The Lion King”) and includes two new songs written by Menken and Oscar and Tony Award®-winning songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (“La La Land,” “Dear Evan Hansen”).

“Aladdin” opens in U.S. theaters nationwide May 24, 2019.

This past weekend we had at the opportunity to meet the cast and ask them some questions at the press conference that took place at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. Here is who was in attendance.

Will Smith (“Genie”)
Mena Massoud (“Aladdin”)
Naomi Scott (“Jasmine”)
Nasim Pedrad (“Dalia”)
Navid Negahban (“Sultan”)
Director Guy Ritchie
Composer Alan Menken
Production Designer Gemma Jackson

Eight time Oscar winner Alan Menken performed a beautiful compilation of Disney songs he has composed to start things off. It was truly a magical treat! I recorded it all for you to enjoy too! Take a listen and enjoy. I am sure it will bring back lots of fun memories of all your Disney favorites too, as well as one new one. Be sure to listen for a part of the NEW song from Aladdin, “Speechless” that is a part of this magical number. You’re welcome. 😉

After that amazing performance, the cast was introduced by moderator: Dani Fernandez. She started off with asking the cast what are they excited for people to see as far as this film?

Mena Massoud (Aladdin) answered with, “You know, I’m especially proud of the representation and the ethnically diverse casting that was put together for this. It’s not often you can go to a movie theater and see all people of color represented like this. It’s certainly something that I was missing in my childhood. So I’m proud of the cast and the casting that Guy and Disney put together. I’m excited for little boys and girls to go see people that look like them on screen, man. That’s what I’m proud of.”

Naomi Scott (Jasmine) was asked about Jasmine. Jasmine was our first Disney princess of color. She also has a new song and speech list. What was it like doing that scene and also how do you feel that song resonates today?

Naomi chimed in with, “So Speechless, written by this guy over here, Alan Menken, Benj Pasek, and Justin Paul. Incredible writer. So the fact that they wrote a song and I get to sing it, first of all, I was like wow. That’s already surreal. But also then when I heard it and just the words and the lyrics and how timely it was, the message behind the song and the idea of not going speechless, that everyone has a voice, doesn’t matter who you are, doesn’t matter what you look like, doesn’t matter what your gender, your voice matters. And speaking out against injustice matters. Not just standing by and being a spectator. That day was very emotional.”