Guy Ritchie – Writer, Director and Producer known for his crime films especially Sherlock Holmes – is getting close to directing Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation of the 1992 animated classic, Aladdin.
According to Hollywood Reporter, The ‘Big Fish’ writer, John August has written the script, which is said to still have many of the musical elements from the original, but is non-linear in its structure.
This marks the latest in a string of live-action updates of Disney classics including Cinderella, Pete’s Dragon and The Jungle Book, which grossed close to $1bn worldwide this year.
Next up is Bill Condon’s take on Beauty and the Beast, out in March, followed by Mary Poppins Returns in 2018. The studio also has a live-action Mulan in the works, and recently re-teamed with The Jungle Book director Jon Favreau to reimagine The Lion King.
It is not sure who Disney will cast for the role of the wise cracking genie who grants Aladdin his three wishes which was initially played by Robin Williams who is now deceased.
The film won Oscars for best score and best song (A Whole New World), and was the highest-grossing film of 1992. A stage musical based on the film opened on Broadway in 2014, and is currently playing.
No release date has been set for the new Aladdin.