What is the 2019 film Aladdin and what is it based on?

The 2019 film Aladdin is an American musical fantasy film that serves as a live-action adaptation of Disney's 1992 animated film of the same name. The original animated film was itself based on the Middle Eastern folk tale of Aladdin found within the collection known as One Thousand and One Nights.

Who directed and wrote the screenplay for the 2019 live-action Aladdin?

The 2019 live-action adaptation of Aladdin was directed by Guy Ritchie, who also co-wrote the screenplay with John August.

Who are the main stars of the 2019 Aladdin film?

The principal cast members of the 2019 Aladdin film include Will Smith, Mena Massoud, and Naomi Scott. Supporting roles were filled by Marwan Kenzari, Navid Negahban, Nasim Pedrad, and Billy Magnussen.

When and where did the 2019 Aladdin film premiere?

The film Aladdin premiered in Paris, France, at the Grand Rex on May 8, 2019. It was later released theatrically in the United States on May 24, 2019.

What was the reported production budget for the 2019 Aladdin film?

The production budget for the 2019 live-action Aladdin film was reported to be $183 million.

How much did the 2019 Aladdin film gross worldwide?

The 2019 Aladdin film achieved significant box office success, grossing over $1.054 billion worldwide.

How did the 2019 Aladdin film perform compared to other Disney live-action remakes in terms of budget and gross?

Among Disney's live-action remakes, the 2019 Aladdin film was the eighth-most expensive to produce and became the third-highest-grossing to date, demonstrating its commercial success relative to similar projects.

What is the setting for the 2019 Aladdin film?

The 2019 film is set in the fictional city of Agrabah, which is inspired by Baghdad.

Who is the street urchin protagonist in the film, and what is his situation?

The protagonist is Aladdin, an orphaned street urchin who lives in Agrabah with his monkey companion, Abu. He is characterized by his kindness and desire for a better life.

What is Princess Jasmine's desire, and what obstacle does she face?

Princess Jasmine, the daughter of the Sultan, wishes to succeed her father as ruler of Agrabah. However, societal expectations dictate that she must marry one of her royal suitors instead of pursuing her political ambitions.

Who is Jafar, and what is his goal in the film?

Jafar is the royal vizier of Agrabah. He schemes to overthrow the Sultan and seeks the magic lamp from the Cave of Wonders, believing it holds the key to his power.

What is the Cave of Wonders, and who is destined to enter it?

The Cave of Wonders is a mystical location that houses the magic lamp. According to legend, only a specific individual, described as 'the diamond in the rough,' can retrieve the lamp from its depths.

How does Aladdin acquire the magic lamp?

Jafar tricks Aladdin into retrieving the magic lamp from the Cave of Wonders. Although Aladdin retrieves the lamp, Jafar betrays him, but Aladdin's monkey, Abu, manages to steal the lamp back before they are trapped.

Who is the Genie, and what power does he possess?

The Genie is an omnipotent being trapped within the magic lamp. Upon being summoned by rubbing the lamp, he has the power to grant three wishes to the lamp's owner.

What are Aladdin's first two wishes, and what does he promise the Genie?

Aladdin uses his first official wish to become a prince, adopting the persona of 'Prince Ali of Ababwa' to impress Jasmine. He promises to use his third wish to free the Genie from his servitude and grant him human form. The Genie's rescue of Aladdin from Jafar's trap costs him his second wish.

Who plays the Genie in the 2019 film, and how was the character portrayed?

Will Smith portrays the Genie in the 2019 film. Smith physically embodied the character when in human guise, while the giant blue genie form was created using CGI and motion-capture performance. Smith aimed to pay homage to Robin Williams' original performance while making the role his own.

What new character was introduced in the 2019 live-action film, and who played her?

A new character named Dalia, who serves as Jasmine's handmaiden and confidante, was introduced in the 2019 film. This role was played by Nasim Pedrad.

What was the primary filming location for the 2019 Aladdin?

Principal photography for the film began at Longcross Studios in Surrey, England, and also included filming in the Wadi Rum Desert in Jordan.

What controversy arose regarding the casting of extras in the film?

In January 2018, a controversy erupted when reports surfaced that white extras were being given brown makeup to 'blend in' with the diverse cast. Disney responded by stating that diversity was a requirement, but makeup was used in a few instances for specialty skills, safety, and control, to help performers blend in.

What criticisms were directed at the casting of Naomi Scott as Jasmine?

Some critics and fans criticized Disney for casting Naomi Scott, who is of English and Gujarati Ugandan-Indian heritage, as Princess Jasmine. They argued this decision reflected a lack of authentic representation and potentially viewed women of Middle Eastern and Indian heritage as interchangeable.

What criticism was leveled against the casting of Billy Magnussen?

Billy Magnussen was cast as Prince Anders, a new character not present in the original animated film. His casting drew criticism from some who viewed the character as unnecessary and accused the film of whitewashing, given Magnussen is white.

Who composed the music for the 2019 Aladdin film?

Alan Menken, who composed the score for the original animated film, returned to compose the music for the 2019 live-action adaptation. Pasek & Paul also collaborated with Menken on a new song for the film.

What was the reception to the first trailer featuring Will Smith as the Genie?

The first trailer, which offered a glimpse of Will Smith's Genie, received largely negative feedback from audiences, particularly concerning the CGI rendering of the character. This led to widespread online mockery and memes comparing the Genie's appearance to characters like Tobias Fünke from 'Arrested Development'.

How did the second trailer for Aladdin fare compared to the first?

The second trailer, released on 'Good Morning America,' was met with a more positive reception. It featured musical numbers from the original film and showed Will Smith's Genie in a way that garnered better reviews, although some criticism of the CGI persisted.

What was the critical consensus on Rotten Tomatoes for the 2019 Aladdin film?

Rotten Tomatoes reported a 57% approval rating for Aladdin, with a consensus stating that while the film offered sufficient spectacle and skill, it did not reach the 'dazzling splendor' of the original animated movie.

What was the audience score for Aladdin according to CinemaScore?

Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the 2019 film Aladdin an average grade of 'A', indicating a generally positive reception from moviegoers.

Which actors received praise for their performances in the film?

Critics like Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times praised the performances of Will Smith, Naomi Scott, and Mena Massoud, calling the film a 'shining, shimmering live-action update'.

What criticism did Peter Debruge of Variety have regarding Marwan Kenzari's portrayal of Jafar?

Peter Debruge of Variety noted that while Marwan Kenzari was a handsome alternative to the animated Jafar, his portrayal lacked the imposing presence needed to feel like a significant threat.

What was Mark Kennedy's assessment of Guy Ritchie's direction?

Mark Kennedy of the Associated Press felt that Guy Ritchie was an unsuitable choice for directing a Disney romantic musical, suggesting that Aladdin, under his direction, felt more like 'The Mummy' than 'Frozen'.

What cultural and orientalist stereotypes were noted in critiques of the film?

Critiques mentioned that the film's setting and people appeared more Indian than Middle Eastern, and that orientalist stereotypes, such as the belly dancer and the chivalrous man protecting women, were reinforced, potentially being seen as more appealing than 'actual Arabs'.

Which awards did the film win at the Teen Choice Awards?

At the 2019 Teen Choice Awards, Aladdin won 'Choice Movie – Sci-Fi/Fantasy,' Will Smith won 'Choice Sci-Fi/Fantasy Movie Actor,' Naomi Scott won 'Choice Sci-Fi/Fantasy Movie Actress,' and the song 'A Whole New World' won 'Choice Song From A Movie'.

Which award did Michael Wilkinson win for his work on Aladdin at the Saturn Awards?

Michael Wilkinson won the Saturn Award for Best Costume Design for his work on the 2019 film Aladdin.

What award did Aladdin win at the People's Choice Awards in 2019?

The film Aladdin won the People's Choice Award for 'The Family Movie of 2019'.

Was the new song 'Speechless' nominated for an Academy Award?

Yes, 'Speechless,' a new original song written for Jasmine by Alan Menken, Benj Pasek, and Justin Paul, was shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 92nd Academy Awards, but it did not receive a final nomination.

What is the status of a potential sequel to the 2019 Aladdin film?

Disney announced in August 2019 that it was in the early stages of developing a sequel, with producers expressing enthusiasm for bringing back the director and main cast. John Gatins and Andrea Berloff were later reported to be writing the script, with Will Smith, Mena Massoud, and Naomi Scott expected to reprise their roles.

What update did Mena Massoud provide regarding the Aladdin sequel in early 2023?

In March 2023, Mena Massoud stated on Twitter that a sequel was 'very unlikely at this point,' leading to rumors of cancellation. He later commented on the box office performance of 'The Little Mermaid,' suggesting that Aladdin's uniqueness contributed to its success and implying that a sequel would likely happen, which drew backlash and led to him deactivating his Twitter account.

What was the planned live-action prequel for Aladdin, and what happened to it?

A year before the 2019 remake was decided upon, Disney announced a live-action prequel titled 'Genies' in 2015, intended to explore the origin of Aladdin's Genie. However, as of 2021, the film was reportedly scrapped.

What spin-off film was announced, and what is its current status?

A spin-off film focusing on Billy Magnussen's character, Prince Anders, was announced in December 2019 for Disney+. Magnussen has provided updates indicating the project is still in development, undergoing rewrites, and is not dead, though progress was impacted by the pandemic and company changes.

What was the highest-grossing market for the 2019 Aladdin film?

The film's top international market was Japan, where it grossed $110.1 million. Other significant markets included South Korea ($90.4 million), China ($53.5 million), the United Kingdom ($46.4 million), and Mexico ($32.5 million).

How did Aladdin perform in the Middle East?

In the Middle East, Aladdin achieved the best Ramadan opening ever in the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, ultimately becoming the highest-grossing release of all time in the region.

What was the significance of Aladdin's box office performance in Japan?

In Japan, Aladdin had the highest opening weekend for a foreign film in 2019, surpassing 'Avengers: Endgame.' It became the second highest-grossing film of the year in Japan and one of the top 20 highest-grossing films ever released there.

How did Aladdin perform in South Korea?

In South Korea, Aladdin grossed over $82 million from more than 11.4 million ticket sales, making it the third highest-grossing film of the year and the second highest-grossing foreign film in the country. It also became the highest-grossing Disney film (excluding the MCU) in South Korea.

What was the net profit calculated for Aladdin by Deadline Hollywood?

Deadline Hollywood calculated the net profit of the 2019 film Aladdin to be $356 million, after factoring in all expenses and revenues.

What distinction did Aladdin's opening achieve for Guy Ritchie and Will Smith?

The film's opening weekend was the best debut of Guy Ritchie's career and the second-best debut for Will Smith, highlighting the commercial appeal of both the director and the star.

What was the critical consensus regarding the film's relationship to the original animated movie?

The critical consensus noted that while the live-action Aladdin retold the story with spectacle and skill, it never quite reached the 'dazzling splendor' of the original animated film.

What was the overall positive score given by audiences polled by PostTrak?

Audiences polled by PostTrak gave Aladdin an overall positive score of 90%, with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, and 70% indicating they would 'definitely recommend' the film.

What specific criticism was made about Jafar's portrayal in the film?

Peter Debruge of Variety criticized Marwan Kenzari's portrayal of Jafar, suggesting that despite his handsome appearance, he lacked the imposing presence to be a truly threatening villain.

What was the primary criticism leveled against Guy Ritchie's direction of Aladdin?

Mark Kennedy of the Associated Press felt that Guy Ritchie was the wrong choice to direct the film, comparing its tone unfavorably to 'The Mummy' rather than 'Frozen'.

What was the film's performance in the UK box office?

Aladdin topped the UK box office for four consecutive weeks, marking a significant performance in that territory.

What distinction did Aladdin achieve for Will Smith's career box office?

By the end of June 2019, Aladdin surpassed 'Independence Day' to become Will Smith's highest-grossing film worldwide, and it also surpassed 'Suicide Squad' for his highest-grossing film domestically.

Aladdin 2019 Film Wiki: Agrabah's Echo: The 2019 Aladdin Saga

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Film Overview

Cinematic Adaptation

Aladdin is a 2019 American musical fantasy film, serving as a live-action rendition of Disney's 1992 animated classic. It draws inspiration from the Middle Eastern folk tale of the same name, featured within the collection of One Thousand and One Nights.

Direction and Screenplay

The film was directed by Guy Ritchie, known for his distinctive stylistic approach. The screenplay was a collaborative effort between Ritchie and John August, aiming for an ambitious yet faithful interpretation of the beloved story.

Key Cast and Crew

Headlining the ensemble cast are Will Smith as the Genie, Mena Massoud as Aladdin, and Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine. The musical score and original songs were composed by the acclaimed Alan Menken, who also worked on the animated original.

Narrative Synopsis

Agrabah's Streets and Palace

The narrative unfolds in the fictional city of Agrabah, where Aladdin, a resourceful street urchin, encounters Princess Jasmine, who chafes against her royal duties and arranged marriages. Their paths cross as Jasmine seeks to understand her kingdom better, away from the palace walls.

The Cave of Wonders and the Genie

The malevolent vizier, Jafar, seeks the legendary magic lamp hidden within the Cave of Wonders. Only the "diamond in the rough"—Aladdin—can retrieve it. Upon finding the lamp, Aladdin inadvertently summons the Genie, a powerful being bound to grant three wishes.

Aladdin uses his first wish to transform into "Prince Ali of Ababwa" to impress Jasmine, promising to use his third wish to free the Genie. Despite his princely disguise, Aladdin struggles to connect with Jasmine, who is drawn to his true self. Jafar's discovery of Aladdin's identity leads to a confrontation, culminating in Jafar seizing the lamp and becoming the new master of the Genie.

The climax sees Aladdin, with the help of the Genie and Jasmine, thwarting Jafar's tyrannical ambitions. Aladdin ultimately fulfills his promise, freeing the Genie, and is accepted by Jasmine and the Sultan, leading to their marriage and the Genie's pursuit of a human life with Dalia.

Jafar's Scheme and Transformation

Jafar's ambition drives him to usurp the throne, first by manipulating the Sultan and then by stealing the magic lamp from Aladdin. His quest for ultimate power leads him to wish to become a genie himself, resulting in his imprisonment within his own lamp, banished to the Cave of Wonders.

Principal Cast

Will Smith as Genie

Smith portrays the Genie, a character famously voiced by Robin Williams in the original. Smith aimed to honor Williams' iconic performance while infusing the role with his unique comedic and mentor-like qualities, appearing both in CGI blue form and as a human.

Mena Massoud as Aladdin

Massoud embodies Aladdin, the kind-hearted Agrabah thief. His portrayal emphasizes Aladdin's selflessness and his internal conflict when trying to maintain a false identity for Jasmine, ultimately rediscovering his true self.

Naomi Scott as Jasmine

Scott brings Princess Jasmine to life, depicting her as a strong, multidimensional character who seeks agency in her own life and kingdom. Her performance includes a new original song, "Speechless," highlighting her character's assertiveness.

Marwan Kenzari as Jafar

Kenzari plays Jafar, the power-hungry sorcerer and grand vizier. The film explores Jafar's backstory to provide a more nuanced understanding of his villainous motivations, though some critics noted a perceived lack of menace in his portrayal.

Navid Negahban as Sultan

Negahban portrays the Sultan, Agrabah's ruler and Jasmine's father. His performance aimed to add depth to the character, moving beyond the caricature of the animated original, and reflecting the character's wisdom and nobility.

Supporting Roles

Nasim Pedrad appears as Dalia, Jasmine's confidante and handmaiden, a new character created for the film. Billy Magnussen plays Prince Anders, a suitor from Skånland, and Numan Acar is Hakim, the head of the palace guards. Alan Tudyk voices Iago, and Frank Welker provides the voices for Abu and Rajah.

Production Insights

Development and Vision

The project was announced in October 2016, with Guy Ritchie attached to direct. Disney envisioned an ambitious, non-traditional take that retained the musical elements. Early plans considered a nonlinear narrative structure. Vanessa Taylor was brought in to refine the screenplay, focusing on character development.

Filming Locations and Design

Principal photography commenced in September 2017 at Longcross Studios in Surrey, England, and concluded in January 2018. Filming also occurred in Jordan's Wadi Rum Desert. Production designer Gemma Jackson, known for Game of Thrones, was responsible for creating the film's expansive sets.

Casting Challenges and Diversity

The casting process for Aladdin and Jasmine was extensive, seeking actors of Middle Eastern or Indian descent. Will Smith was the first to join as Genie. The casting choices, particularly Naomi Scott (of British-Indian heritage) as Jasmine, sparked discussions on cultural representation and authenticity.

Controversies and Criticisms

During filming, the use of brown makeup on white extras to "blend in" drew criticism for perceived insensitivity. Disney responded by stating diversity was a requirement, with exceptions for specialized skills or safety. The casting of non-Arab actors in certain roles and the creation of new characters like Prince Anders also generated debate regarding representation and potential whitewashing.

Musical Score and Songs

Alan Menken's Return

Composer Alan Menken returned to score the live-action film, reprising his role from the 1992 animated version. His work includes adapting beloved songs and composing new material.

New and Classic Tracks

The soundtrack features classic songs by Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice. A new original song, "Speechless," performed by Naomi Scott as Jasmine, was written in collaboration with Pasek & Paul and Menken, adding a contemporary dimension to the film's musical landscape.

Critical and Commercial Reception

Critical Consensus

Aladdin received mixed reviews from critics. While praised for its spectacle, performances (particularly Will Smith, Mena Massoud, and Naomi Scott), and musical numbers, many critics noted that it failed to capture the magic or add significant innovation compared to the original animated film.

Rotten Tomatoes reported a 57% approval rating, citing the film's competent execution but lack of the original's "dazzling splendor." Metacritic assigned a weighted average score of 53 out of 100, indicating mixed reviews. Audience reception, measured by CinemaScore, was highly positive with an "A" grade.

Box Office Performance

Commercially, Aladdin was a significant success, grossing over $1.054 billion worldwide against a production budget of $183 million. It became the ninth highest-grossing film of 2019 and one of Disney's highest-grossing live-action remakes, demonstrating strong global audience appeal.

The film opened strongly in the United States and Canada, earning $91.5 million over its three-day opening weekend and $116.8 million over the four-day Memorial Day frame. Internationally, it performed exceptionally well, topping charts in numerous markets and becoming Will Smith's highest-grossing film worldwide.

Accolades and Recognition

Notable Nominations and Wins

The film garnered numerous nominations and awards across various categories, reflecting its production quality and popular appeal.

Award	Category	Recipient(s)	Result
Teen Choice Awards	Choice Movie – Sci-Fi/Fantasy	Aladdin	Won
Teen Choice Awards	Choice Sci-Fi/Fantasy Movie Actor	Will Smith	Won
Teen Choice Awards	Choice Sci-Fi/Fantasy Movie Actress	Naomi Scott	Won
Saturn Awards	Best Fantasy Film	Aladdin	Nominated
Saturn Awards	Best Costume Design	Michael Wilkinson	Won
People's Choice Awards	The Family Movie of 2019	Aladdin	Won
Critics' Choice Awards	Best Song	"Speechless"	Nominated

Future Developments

Sequel Prospects

Following the film's commercial success, Disney expressed interest in developing a sequel. Discussions have involved bringing back director Guy Ritchie and stars Will Smith and Mena Massoud, with potential for new storylines inspired by the original tales or existing sequels, though development has faced delays.

Canceled Prequel and Spin-off

A planned live-action prequel focusing on the Genie's origins, titled Genies, was reportedly scrapped. A spin-off film centered on Billy Magnussen's character, Prince Anders, for Disney+ has been in development for several years, with ongoing script revisions.

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References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Aladdin (2019 film) Wikipedia page

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This document has been generated by an AI model, synthesizing information from publicly available sources, primarily Wikipedia. It is intended for educational and analytical purposes, providing an academic perspective on the 2019 film Aladdin.

This is not a substitute for professional film analysis or critical review. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the source material, the content may contain interpretations or omissions. Always consult primary sources and scholarly critiques for comprehensive understanding.

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Agrabah's Echo

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Film Overview ℹ️

🎬 Cinematic Adaptation

👤 Direction and Screenplay

⭐ Key Cast and Crew

Narrative Synopsis 📜

🕌 Agrabah's Streets and Palace

🧞 The Cave of Wonders and the Genie

🐍 Jafar's Scheme and Transformation

Principal Cast 🎭

🧞 Will Smith as Genie

🧞‍♂️ Mena Massoud as Aladdin

👑 Naomi Scott as Jasmine

🧙 Marwan Kenzari as Jafar

👨‍💼 Navid Negahban as Sultan

🤝 Supporting Roles

Production Insights 🎬

💡 Development and Vision

🌍 Filming Locations and Design

🎨 Casting Challenges and Diversity

🗣️ Controversies and Criticisms

Musical Score and Songs 🎶

🎼 Alan Menken's Return

🎤 New and Classic Tracks

Critical and Commercial Reception 📊

⭐ Critical Consensus

💰 Box Office Performance

Accolades and Recognition 🏆

🏅 Notable Nominations and Wins

Future Developments 🚀

➕ Sequel Prospects

🚫 Canceled Prequel and Spin-off

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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References

📜 References

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Academic Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice Regarding Content

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Film Overview

Cinematic Adaptation

Direction and Screenplay

Key Cast and Crew

Narrative Synopsis

Agrabah's Streets and Palace

The Cave of Wonders and the Genie

Jafar's Scheme and Transformation

Principal Cast

Will Smith as Genie

Mena Massoud as Aladdin

Naomi Scott as Jasmine

Marwan Kenzari as Jafar

Navid Negahban as Sultan

Supporting Roles

Production Insights

Development and Vision

Filming Locations and Design

Casting Challenges and Diversity

Controversies and Criticisms

Musical Score and Songs

Alan Menken's Return

New and Classic Tracks

Critical and Commercial Reception

Critical Consensus

Box Office Performance

Accolades and Recognition

Notable Nominations and Wins

Future Developments

Sequel Prospects

Canceled Prequel and Spin-off

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Academic Disclaimer

Important Notice Regarding Content