The studio had started casting in March but since then, they have rejected over 2,000 actors from across the globe.
Here’s a preview of what the reactions of Twitters users are when they got to know that the casting staff could not find characters for Alladin even in the Asian lands.
Are they really out here claiming it’s hard to find an actor of Middle Eastern/South Asian descent who can act and sing to play Aladdin?!!!
— ReBecca Theodore (@FilmFatale_NYC) July 11, 2017
THERE IS LITERALLY AN ENTIRE SECOND MOST POPULOUS COUNTRY IN THE WORLD W AN INDUSTRY OF MEN WHO DANCE AND SING. #aladdin https://t.co/iu0RsdCgPs
— Jenny Yang???? (@jennyyangtv) July 11, 2017
Disney: Guy Ritchie is perfect to direct Aladdin.
Guy Ritchie: IDK how to find a Middle-Eastern man who can sing. https://t.co/oPagPdPO1F— Gavia Baker-Whitelaw (@Hello_Tailor) July 11, 2017
List the white actors who’ve been cast in musicals despite zero dance or singing abilities. Go!
— Lexi Alexander (@Lexialex) July 11, 2017
Basically, Aladdin was more commonly known as “Arabian Nights”, but Disney twisted up the story a bit and made up an imaginary “Agrabah”, which has a twist of several cultures.
There are evidences that Disney was interested in casting British Pakistani actor Riz Ahmed or even Dev Patel, another British with an Indian accent but no one knows the end of these stories.
In all seriousness. This is what it’s come to. They’re having trouble filling the role of ALADDIN if Dev Patel or Riz Ahmed don’t take it. https://t.co/GsfBfIB801
— Sopan Deb (@SopanDeb) July 11, 2017
People on Twitter had their own suggestions for the role of Aladdin, Jasmine and Jafar.
What am I, chopped liver? https://t.co/SfhZ91y8n5
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) July 11, 2017
How about @kumailn as Aladdin? https://t.co/amqipK1BKL
— Khaver Siddiqi (@thekarachikid) July 11, 2017
However, the most popular picks were the Aladdin lookalike Avan Jogia and Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan!
I mean you could cast @AvanJogia or you could just ignore the fact that they look exactly the same… pic.twitter.com/sfzBuv4Lkn
— MEMBERS_ONLY ?? (@alissasXworld) July 11, 2017
Well you can’t find better than Hrithik Roshan to do it, amazing actor and God of dance take note Disney !! pic.twitter.com/9P6X8joJUa
— ☄ (@DeeplyNourx) July 11, 2017
The University of California found out that in about 400 films and T.V series, over half did not feature Asian speaking characters.
USC’s Annenberg School found out that over 75 percent of the cast is white while only 5 percent are Asian characters.
Twitter users also suggested more actors for Aladdin. Someone suggester Oded Fehr to play Jafar. Fehr has already played Jafar on ABC’s “Once Upon a Time” and has experiences in “The Mummy” and “Covert Affairs”.
@odedfehr is the perfect Jafar pic.twitter.com/4in6U5LtDq
— Selene (@ThisSelene) July 11, 2017
There are plenty of amazing MENA & South Asian actors. I have a list. Give me a call Guy https://t.co/yDx07ONuNJ
— Lexi Alexander (@Lexialex) July 11, 2017
Let’s all just hope that Disney takes suggestions from Twitter to cast Aladdin. Half of the work for Disney is already completed by Twitter. Fill the other half, Disney!