JEDDAH: Disney has contacted “The Voice Arabia” star Mory Hatem to audition for the role of Aladdin for British director Guy Ritchie’s upcoming live-action film set for release in 2018.
Hatem, a Lebanese singer, expressed his delight in being invited for the auditions. He told Bitajarod that he has begun rehearsing for the film’s script and songs.
Hatem said that even if Disney does not select him for the role, he would still be proud of himself.
It had been reported that director Ritchie has been in negotiations to take on Disney’s latest live-action remake, which is being produced by his Sherlock Holmes collaborator Dan Lin.
Ritchie recently released a casting call specifically looking for Middle Eastern actors. “These characters are Middle Eastern,” read the first line of the casting call.
Disney’s original animated version of Aladdin featuring the voice of the late Robin Williams hit cinema screens in 1992, and became the highest-grossing film of the year. A pair of straight-to-video sequels followed, but Williams reportedly stated in his will that his out-takes from the original film could never be used to make another sequel.
The new Aladdin movie is the latest in Disney’s successful series of live-action remakes based on its classic animated films.
“Beauty And The Beast,” starring Emma Watson as Belle, was one of the most anticipated movies of 2017.
Lebanese star Mory Hatem auditions for Disney’s Aladdin
Lebanese star Mory Hatem auditions for Disney’s Aladdin
