Guy Ritchie's 2019 live-action adaptation of Disney's 1992 animated film Aladdin was a commercial success, grossing over $1 billion worldwide. So, it's no surprise that a sequel is in the works, but the direction that the sequel intends to take is what's interesting.

In a recent interview with Variety, Aladdin star Mena Massoud spoke about the progress of the sequel, stating:

I don’t know that there is movement. There was a change with the writers, and they are working on a brand new draft. That’s all I know. If Aladdin 2 happens, that’s fantastic. I think it should happen. Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich of Rideback Productions, who did the Lego movies, and Aladdin, want to make sure they get this right. So if we do see Aladdin 2, it’s not going to be based off the animated version at all. This is going to be a brand-new original story.

Aladdin's producer, Dan Lin, had previously indicated that the sequel to the live-action film would not follow the 1994 Disney sequel, The Return of Jafar, saying:

If I told you the fans would go crazy. It's just too early for me to reveal. But just know that we're looking at a lot of different source material and it's not going to be based on one singular source, but we're going to take the best of everything that's been done before and create something fresh and new.

Following the announcement of the sequel in 2020, John Gatins and Andrea Berloff were set to write the script, but that seems to no longer be the case. However, Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich are still expected to return as the producers, and Guy Ritchie will return for the sequel. Despite Will Smith's scandalous 2022 Oscar slap, he's expected to reprise his role as Genie.

Although the altercation with Chris Rock seemed like a career-ending act, many celebrities have come forward to defend Will Smith, and during the Red Sea International Film Festival last week, Guy Ritchie advocated for the 54-year-old actor, saying:

I’ve never met a more lovely man, and working with him was one of the most wonderful, great experiences I’ve ever had. I never saw anything other than the consummate, generous gentleman.

When asked if he would consider recasting Will Smith as the Genie, he said:

I wouldn’t have any issue casting Will Smith in anything, because, as I say, he was just the f*cking perfect gentleman.

Aladdin is among the many live-action adaptations and remakes of Disney animated films that have been released, and factoring in the success Disney has gained from this strategy, it doesn't look like they'll be stopping any time soon. Fans of The Little Mermaid animation can look forward to the live-action adaptation that is scheduled to be released on May 26, 2023.