Disney has been following the “live-action” wave ever since they decided to go forward with “Beauty & the Beast,” which was a huge success. Now, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and Aladdin are up next to be turned into real-live films with human actors and not cartoons. While we’re excited to see our favorite childhood movies brought to life on the silver-screen, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding who has been cast into certain roles for films – in terms of ethnicity and race.
Aladdin is a 1992 Disney film that takes place in Agrabah and all of the characters are Middle Eastern. So far, in the live action film, the production crew have been “careful” in casting “ethnic” actors to play the lead roles. And, so far, people haven’t been that disappointed in the casting – but, now, news has broken that the live-action film added a new character that was not part of the 1992 version – and he’s white.
Exclusive: @Disney's live-action #Aladdin casts @BillyMagnussen as a new character https://t.co/kpOdK2u8nA pic.twitter.com/3eyVe4NfVw
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 5, 2017
Billy Magnussen was cast as a new character Prince Anders, who was not part of the 1992 cartoon film. Of course, fans were unhappy with the choice of actor, as well as character, because it makes the film not-authentic any longer. People have been in uproar online over this change because it makes the remake completely different – as reports have surfaced the film has been “rewritten.” Fans are also pointing out that Beauty & the Beast was kept “original,” while this seems to be a disaster. Many are saying that the directors are looking to “white wash” the film, which is primarily Middle Eastern, because of “racial tensions in America.”
And, they’ve taken to Twitter to express their distaste.
#aladdin I am so confused to why they add a new white character to a complete story that is set in the Middle East?🤦🏽♀️ pic.twitter.com/71xzOpFXCS
— booklover☕️📚 (@booklover_ny) September 6, 2017
I am shocked – SHOCKED – that Disney just dumped a big glass of mayonnaise on the #Aladdin remake.
— Tom and Lorenzo (@tomandlorenzo) September 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/taebum711/status/905441104501374976
I know damn well @Disney did not just rewrite Aladdin just so they can add a white person… right in front of my salad?!
— Velvet Noir (@Velvet_visuals) September 6, 2017
No new parts …no new characters …wtf are u doing ..this aint disney ..this aint aladdin !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! https://t.co/d8bAr6lI3C
— DAVID ARROYO 👑 (@DAVIDARROYOTERR) September 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/Austin_Fegley/status/905483580675162115
https://twitter.com/Ashleyfangirl/status/905292053029978113
https://twitter.com/towelskirt/status/905379876173176832
Maybe the new white guy character they created for the live-action Aladdin remake gets eaten by Rajah. Just trying to stay positive here.
— The Volatile Mermaid (@OhNoSheTwitnt) September 6, 2017
They wanna put white person in Aladdin now abi? Biko just leave it as animation for us, we don't want live action again 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/OYnNRVSJfw
— Urenna E. (@UrennaE) September 6, 2017
what made Disney think that Aladdin needed a new white male character? pic.twitter.com/q2YMUe8icS
— Anjali (@_ANJALINDIA_) September 6, 2017
What is the White doing in #Aladdin pic.twitter.com/U2n4BxGN32
— ✨Dusk Till Dawn✨ (@BeboliciousFan) September 6, 2017