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.”