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.”

Navid was asked about the father/daughter dynamic in the film. Because growing up, watching Disney films, so many of them have a father daughter dynamic element to them. What was important about this Sultan’s story arc with his daughter?

Navid,“I believe the most important thing was for him to show how much he appreciates her. I think every father, no matter what, they see a princess in their little daughter. And we had a discussion with Guy. We were sitting and we were talking about the kids. And I have to say something about Naomi. There is a princess inside her. I never forget, we were on the set and we were working. Some of the ladies, they were a little bit stressed and they were yelling in the background actors. This girl took the mic, went over on the balcony, and said we can be nicer to each other, can’t we? So the princess is inside her. I never forget that day. Do you remember the day that we were on the balcony and somebody down there was yelling? But truly, it’s just finding your inner magic, believing in yourself, who you are, and what you are is special. There is nobody else like you. And I think the film represents that. Mena, he discovered Aladdin inside him and it was beautiful, the whole journey was an amazing experience.

Nasim Pedrad was asked about Dalia, as she is a completely new character the world has never seen before. Since she didn’t have a character to base this off of, how did she go about bringing her to life?

Nasim, “It was so fun, because I think all the joy of creating something from scratch, but then watching that intersect with this story we all know and love. Which I had so much respect for coming into it. I’m a 90s kid. So for me, Aladdin was like golden age Disney. And to echo what Mena said, I’m so proud to be part of the most diversely cast Disney movie of all time I think. And it really, that film resonated with me as a child because it was the first time I saw a Middle Eastern protagonist in a major motion picture. So to get to be a part of that and play a little fun role in being Jasmine’s friend and handmaiden and especially under the guidance of Guy who is so collaborative and fun and every day, you’re like oh my gosh, like he puts the scene up on its feet, and it turns into a whole fun new thing that you wouldn’t have necessarily even seen on the page. It was just such a blast. And we got to spend time together. A lot of my scenes were with Naomi. We got to spend time together before we started filming. And there was such an instant camaraderie and friendship that I think hopefully translates into the dynamic of the characters.

This was Will Smith’s first Disney movie, and he shared with us about his magical experience with being a part of Aladdin, “I was saying Disney Magic is real. This is my first Disney movie. And there’s something that Walt Disney did in the design of these stories that at the core of these stories is something that shocks the inner child within you and forces it to come alive and smile and appreciate the moment. So for me, coming into this, first starting with fear, it definitely started with fear, what Robin Williams did with his character was, he just didn’t leave a lot of room to add to the genie. So I started off fearful. But then when I got with the music, it just started waking up that fun childlike silly part of me. And like Guy was saying. This was the most joyful experience of my career.”

Afterwards we were able to check out all the amazing merchandise for Aladdin! They have really stepped it up! I want it all! Especially all of these Judith Leiber Aladdin themed pieces!