‘Aladdin’ Prequel: Disney to Release Live-Action Film ‘Genies’

Princess Jasmine and Aladdin Take Photo with Girl
A photo of princess Jasmine, Aladdin, and a girl taken on May 2005. |

Disney's "Aladdin' will come to life in a new live-action prequel film. The Hollywood Reporter (THR) shared the news on Wednesday, July 15. "Genies' will explore the world of the Genies and the life of Aladdin's Genie prior to becoming trapped inside a magical oil lamp.

"Although Genies is only in the early stages of development, the long-term plan is to have the project lead into an Aladdin live-action movie," reported THR.

"Aladdin' centered on the life of a lowly street urchin who ventured into the Cave of Wonders in search of a lamp. After finding the lamp, he unleashed its power by freeing the Genie, a powerful creature who had the power to grant three wishes to its master.

The Genie was trapped inside the lamp for 10,000 years. The Genie's wishes were limited by three rules. He could not kill, bring back the dead, or force people to fall in love. The 1992 original animated version starred voice actors Scott Weinger as Aladdin, Robin Williams as the Genie, Jonathan Freeman as Jafar, Linda Larkin as Princess Jasmine, Frank Welker as Abu, and Gilbert Gottfried as Iago.

It will be produced by Tripp Vinson and Vinson Films and written by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift. "Aladdin,' a $28 million budget film was a hit at the box office and made $504 million. Other animated spin-offs of the 1992 classic are "Aladdin: The Return of Jafar' and "Aladdin and the King of Thieves.' The story line is based on the Arabian folk tale "Aladdin and the Magic Lamp."