DVDizzy Forum

Disney is going back to the world of Aladdin, its 1992 animated classic, with a live-action prequel.

The studio is developing Genies, a live-action comedy adventure that is being written by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift. Tripp Vinson is on board to produce via his Vinson Films banner. The new project would focus on the realm of the Genies and reveal how Aladdin's Genie ended up enslaved in the lamp.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-v ... rks-808895

Now, THIS is a movie I can get behind with.

But, seriously: Is every Disney character getting a movie?

We're getting a live-action adaptation of Aladdin too.

Although Genies is just in the early stages, the long-term plan is to have the project lead into an Aladdin live-action movie.

Source: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-v ... rks-808895

So, besides Genie, none of the other characters will be involved. I'll probably see this at some point, but I can't say I'm excited for it.

It seems they're doing live-action re-makes for the Disney movies they are lucrative enough to be repeated (Cinderella, B&tB, Mulan), but only focusing on popular characters for others (Tinker Bell, Maleficent, now Genie). I guess they don't think a live-action Sleeping Beauty or Aladdin would be a draw, for some reason. I could understand that with SB, but I don't understand why Disney has been giving the cold shoulder to Aladdin the past few years--especially now that it's doing so well on Broadway.

EDIT: Sotiris just posted as I finished this, so that basically wipes out the above. I'm glad~! I'd love to see a live-action Aladdin.

Sotiris wrote:We're also getting a live-action adaptation of Aladdin too.

Although Genies is just in the early stages, the long-term plan is to have the project lead into an Aladdin live-action movie.

Source: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-v ... rks-808895

One of the only Disney movies perfect for a remake!

Disney's Divinity wrote:So, besides Genie, none of the other characters will be involved.

I see no reason why Carpet can't be in it, at least. It's established in the 1992 movie that Carpet and Genie are old friends; I wouldn't mind seeing them dive into that, actually.

I can't be excited nor upset about the movie(s) until we get more information. So I'm optimistically... cautious?

Mulan is lucrative for Disney?

Disney Duster wrote:Mulan is lucrative for Disney?

Well, she is a Prince$$.

On one hand, I can see this doing well, because who doesn't love "how they got there" stories. I'm sure I'll see it. (Can we get a cameo from Eden, from the tv series?)

But at the same time... why do this immediately after the death of Robin Williams? Like, can't we at least wait a bit?

Flanger-Hanger wrote: Well, she is a Prince$$.

So is Jasmine, and the last years Disney is promoting her a lot more then Aladdin...

sweetjuliet wrote:

Flanger-Hanger wrote: Well, she is a Prince$$.

So is Jasmine, and the last years Disney is promoting her a lot more then Aladdin...

Oh I know very well, but at least with the Diamond Edition release we're seeing more Aladdin merch beyond just Jasmine at the Disney Store and its website.

I don't think Mulan being a Disney Princess makes a lot of money for Disney, which is why I was really surprised they were going to do a live-action version of her story.

A movie about the Genie? I am not interested at all, I do not see the interest for such a movie only about the Genie. No Jafar, no Jasmine, no Aladdin? No thanks.

But if this leads into a live action Aladdin, I would love it! I hope they can include the songs from the movie and that they do not feel the need to make twists to the story or make it into "Genie 2". I hope this Genie movie will be a success though, so that Disney actually follow up on their plans and actually makes live action Aladdin.

If Mulan can get a live action movie, then Disney can easily make live action movies out of Aladdin, Pocahontas, Hunchback and Hercules.

I'm surprised at everyone talking about Robin Williams. By the time this movie gets released, it'll be 2017-8, if not later.

Prince Edward wrote:I hope this Genie movie will be a success though, so that Disney actually follow up on their plans and actually makes live action Aladdin.

This is the only part I dislike about the prequel idea. If Genies bombs, they probably will shy away from making a live-action Aladdin. I actually don't expect them to use the music if/when the latter gets made; I imagine it would be more like their live-action Cinderella than Beauty and the Beast.

Disney's Divinity wrote:I'm surprised at everyone talking about Robin Williams. By the time this movie gets released, it'll be 2017-8, if not later.

Prince Edward wrote:I hope this Genie movie will be a success though, so that Disney actually follow up on their plans and actually makes live action Aladdin.

This is the only part I dislike about the prequel idea. If Genies bombs, they probably will shy away from making a live-action Aladdin. I actually don't expect them to use the music if/when the latter gets made; I imagine it would be more like their live-action Cinderella than Beauty and the Beast.

I can understand that they skipped the songs in Cinderella, because the fairytale is so well known and because there are so many movie versions of it (Cinderella has been adapted much more than say Sleeping Beauty). But when it comes to Beauty and the Beast, I imagine most people associate the fairytale almost completely with the Disney movie - and that's why I think it's smart to use the famous songs from the animated movie.

I would argue that the same applies when it comes to Aladdin. It is the Disney version of the story that is well known today, and the songs are iconic. To not feature them would feel like skipping a vital part of popular culture and the Disney legacy I would think.

Also, since the late 80's and the 90's movies are basicly Broadway musicals in a sense, it could be a smart move to include the songs from these movies in live action adaptions of for example The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Pocahontas, Hunchback and Hercules, since musicals seems to be quite popular again these days.

Another point is that most of the original composors and lyricists from the Disney renaissance era are still alive today and still active when it comes to making music, and Alan Menken and Tim Rice could write a couple of new songs for a live action Aladdin movie as easily as they have done for the live action Beauty and the Beast. Such a move from Disney almost ensures them getting an Academy Award nomination for best song.

Who knows? They may wait to see response to the live-action B&tB (how audiences/critics feel about them lifting the music from the animated films). I have a feeling most people will respond well to B&tB, so hopefully the live-action Aladdin will be a musical, too.

And yes, I am as worried as you are Disney's Divinity. They are really taking a risk when they chose to start with a Genie movie and hope that it will be successfull. Hopefully the budget will not be gigantic for a Genie movie, and hopefully Disney will understand that an live action Aladdin movie have much more potential in regards to make a buzz online and make box office money.

I also agree with you on Beauty and the Beast being the big test for what route Disney will take on their upcoming live action adaptions. If BATB is a sucess, then they might make more musical movies.

I do not know how likely it is that we will get live action movies about Pocahontas, Quasimodo and Hercules anytime soon, although I would LOVE that. If they can make Mulan, I think they could make those other movies work as well. But I would believe that live action adaptions of both The Little Mermaid and Aladdin featuring Menken's music will be guaranteed if only Beauty and the Beast brings the money to the bank...

Like Maleficent, it will pale in comparison to Disney's animated creation.

More braindead remakes.

PatrickvD wrote:Like Maleficent, it will pale in comparison to Disney's animated creation.

Not just Maleficent, any of Disney's live-action re-imaginings. Out of 5 or 6 they made already, exactly NONE of them come even close to animated ones, so I don't understand why some people clamor for more.

Mooky wrote:

PatrickvD wrote:Like Maleficent, it will pale in comparison to Disney's animated creation.

Not just Maleficent, any of Disney's live-action re-imaginings. Out of 5 or 6 they made already, exactly NONE of them come even close to animated ones, so I don't understand why some people clamor for more.

Which ones do you like? I've not really seen any other than 101 Dalmatians back when I was 7/8. I don't even remember it that well now. Oh and Alice in Wonderland, which I didn't really enjoy.