Looks like those Arabians nights are far from over at Walt Disney Studios. News broke out via Variety that the Mouse House is in early development of writing a sequel to the smash hit summer film. Last year’s live action adaptation of Aladdin was not only a big commercial success for Disney, it also became their fourth live action film to reach a billion dollars worldwide.
The articles points out that this film will be a theatrical release instead of being a Disney+ title. Writers John Gatin and Andrea Berloff have joined the team to write the script. John Gatin’s work includes the Oscar nominated drama film Flight starring Denzel Washington and the Lionsgate 2017 reboot of the Power Rangers movie. Andrea Berloff’s work includes Straight Outta Compton, Sleepless, and The Kitchen in which she directed. Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich are returning to produce through their banner Rideback. Ryan Halprin will be excutive producing.
If you are expecting a retelling of either Aladdin and the Return of Jafar or Aladdin and the King of Thieves think again. Variety has stated that this take will have an original approach so it’ll be very interesting to see what they come up with.
It is also unknown if Guy Ritchie will be returning to the directors chair for the next outing but the producers are hoping to bring back the first film’s three leading roles Mena Masssoud, Naomi Scott, and Will Smith.
Another Aladdin project that’s in the works for Disney is a spin off series on Prince Anders. The TV series on Disney+ will see the return of Billy Magnussen’s dim and overdressed character from the 2019 film. Disney has hired Jordan Dunn and Michael Kvamme to pen a script. This news report broke out via The Hollywood Reporter last December.
