By Entertainment Weekly revealed our first look at the main cast of Disney’s live-action remake of Aladdin today. Some look totally on point while others, especially Will Smith’s Genie, do not. One character who does stay true to his roots is the new Jafar, played by Marwan Kenzari. He is still sporting his classic black and red look but no curly beard, sadly. Kenzari’s Jafar seems to have been updated and looks much more detailed than his cartoon counterpart. In this first picture, Jafar is also holding the famous lamp, probably threatening The Sultan and Jasmine. Back in October, Disney shared the first trailer and the hype began.
Jafar has always had a special place in the Disney’s Villian Gallery and has been a longtime favorite for fans. He is one of the most iconic Disney Villians and it’s nice to see them staying true to his character. I hope we see the same kind of sarcastic wit Jafar was known for in this adaption that we saw in the two animated Aladdin movies. He truly gave me chills as a kid so here’s hoping the live-action version does the same thing to me now.
Will Smith’s Genie, on the other hand, is not blue and looks a tad on the cheesy side. Maybe it’s because he’s not bald? I just feel — and I am sure many others feel — that he just does not look like Genie. Broadway’s adaption of Aladdin had a Genie that was also not blue but still felt like The Genie. Smith is known for bringing humor to roles like these so that shouldn’t be a problem. Entertainment Weekly also stated that while Genie may not look true blue now, the real version of him is still a work in progress. So yes, we will see him in his original form. At least Aladdin and Jasmine look like themselves. I am still looking forward to the film when it comes out next year.
Aladdin releases in theaters on May 24, 2019.
Disney’s ‘Aladdin’: First Look at Live-Action Jafar Revealed [Comicbook.com]
