Special Look At The Sets Of "Aladdin"

It's things like this that makes me want to be a part of movie production. Not to just go to all the exotic places, but to see the real life sets. Seeing the actual streets of Agrabah were built just blows my mind. A set so big they mention in this video you could almost get lost in it? I can't even imagine how awe inspiring this would be to walk around in. Since Star Wars & Indiana Jones, I've always been amazed by giant set pieces. I love we still do this in a world where we could just create them on computer. It not only adds realism to use this method along with CGI, as opposed to just one or the other. It also helps the actors in their performances to have real grounds to stand on. This gives me yet another live action Disney film that I can't wait to see some behind the scenes on. What do y'all think of these beautiful set pieces displayed in this video? Put it in the comments, like, & share.

Couple More TV Spots For "Aladdin" Deliver Some New

So, up until this point the Aladdin looks have been a new look to familiar material, much like Lion King has. These new spots deliver us some of the new material to flesh out the story form its animated counterpart. Along with some great lines of dialogue. Such as, "If you don't have anything, you have to act like you own everything." Love this line. It comes in a new spon on the tale where AL apparently breaks into the castle to see Jasmine. To me, a great addition that dosen't change the essence of the original at all. It just builds that much more on it. I'm also starting to feel a little the subtle "I'll say anything yo get what I want" evilness from Jafar. Not on the apparently evil on first glance from the original, but I am starting to see where we could get there. Not to mention some of the visuals in these are amazing. Like the giant parrot, & our first look at evil genie Jafar. Loving the top knot callout as well. Will Smith might just really pull this one off gloriously. Going into my favorite line of the second spot, "The whole song was the instructions!" line after Aladdin asked how it all works. May 24th is definitely a top spot on my calendar now. That said, we're all over the place in what they've shown now. I could almost put together a smal coherent film. Granted we already know the story, as it's a remake. I just don't want them to give away too much when it comes to new content. There still has to be some surprises left. Honestly, if you're not in by now, they've shown you enough, you're not gonna be. So, are you in or not? Put it in the comments, like, & share.

The New TV Spot For "Aladdin" Is Beautiful

There's no other way to put that. This new TV slot for Disney's upcoming live action Aladdin is absolutely beautiful. This might have been the spot that has totally won me over. I loved every second of this minute long spot. Every scene of the carpet ride is gorgeous, & from what we've seen, I'm really digging the chemistry between not only between Aladdin & Jasmine, but Al & the Genie as well. Any worries I had have been replaced with anticipation. I'm actually trusting that they can pull this off. We won't know until May 25th, but this is definitely a whole new world I want to visit. How bout y'all? Are y'all on board yet, or still on the fence? Put it in the comments, like, & share. 

Not Much New To "Aladdin" TV Spot, But..

So, there really isn't much new to this TV spot released yesterday for Disney's upcoming live action Aladdin. Some very quick glimpses of Rajah, "Prince Ali", & the carpet ride were the only things that really stood out. However, for some reason, I still felt myself getting a little more excited for this film. While I had problems with the first Genie reveal trailer, everything since just keeps building up my anticipation for this film. This look is no exception to that build up. Hopefully they're not just skillfully cutting trailers, but my outlook for this film is shifting from worrisome to can't wait. Now if they can just get me on board with this way less sinister Jafar.. Like to know y'all's thoughts too though. Did this trailer, though not much new, do the same for you? For that matter, what your anticipation level for this one? Put it in the comments, like, & share.

New Aladdin Official Trailer Almost Restores My Faith

So, after the initial Genie reveal for Aladdin, I thought it was going to take a whole lot to restore my trust the film being good. Looks like all it took was a full trailer. I'm not saying this made me go full 180. Not by any means. I still think their Jafar is far from the evilness of his animated counterpart. This guy still totally reminds me of the cologne guy at a department store. On top of that I'm not 100% on the look of Genie, even though this extended look helped a whole lot. This proved at least what I thought in Smith being a good pick for at least conveyingthe role, & seeing a little magic behind him helped the overall look. Which was my only problem after that first reveal. Those being the only shakey parts still though. As the rest of this film looks amazing. The parkour style chase in the beginning looked thrilling, the carpet scenes were totally magical, & I'm way into the casting of Jasmine & Aladdin. So, while this didn't completely sell me on the look of Genie still, & more so the presence of Jafar, it did give me the impression that this is still going to be a very entertaining film. For right now I trust in Aladdin once again. What about y'all? The internet skewered this last time. Does this alleviate any of your worries as it did some of mine? Put it in the comments, like, & share.

Mixed Feels When It Comes To First Real Look At "Aladdin"

I'm battling with myself on this one. I absolutely love the original animated Aladdin to the point one of my daughters are named Jasmine. It's probably my personal favorite of all the classics. That said, I knew I'd be particularly hard on the live action version coming this year. While the first pics were a pleasant surprise, I've been impatiently waiting for an actual trailer to give this some real contrast. In comes this special look from last night. Now there's a lot more pluses for me here than minuses. The backdrops are amazing. From the deserts, to Agrabah, all the way to the Cave of Wonders, I was awestruck. Aladdin himself totally looks the part. Jasmine is absolutely gorgeous. Even the quick look at the flying carpet was amazingly on point. The bad part is the minuses here are really big minuses. Jafar didn't come off half as menacing as his animated counterpart, & that's a really big thing. To me your hero's story is only as powerful as the portrayal of its villain, & even though it was just a small piece, I wasn't buying in at all. Even worse though was the long awaited reveal of the often imitated, never duplicated Genie of the lamp. I have my fingers & toes crossed that this feeling will go away, but big blue Will Smith just took me right out of this. I've never had a major actor's appearance pull me out of something like this did. The bad part, is I'm not sure if even a recast would fix this problem. The more I thought about it, I'd almost say we needed a full CGI character just voiced. Maybe it's the fact that personalizing him doesn't really work. I'm not sure, but whatever it is, it's just not working with me. Sad it falls short for me in two of its biggest, most pivotal roles. What do y'all think though? Put it in the comments, like, & share

EW's First Look At "Aladdin" Might Have Just Realized My Greatest Fears

We have our first look at Guy Ritchie's live-action Aladdin, & it's looking & sounding more street rat than prince. I'm gonna focus on the pluses first. Mena Massoud & Naomi Scott look absolutely amazing as Aladdin & Jasmine. Just like they were ripped straight out of the animated classic. Second, the proposed mixture of lands & culture to Agrabah, giving it a Middle Eastern & Asian feel really intrigues me. It sets it in a fully imagined place. For me that adds to the fantasy of it all. Third, is probably one of the strangest parts, Guy Ritchie. Even though I thought it was a very strange choice at first, Aladdin is a very fast paced, chase film. That's actually right in Guy's wheelhouse, & I think he can really knock this one out the park. Alright, now I'll address the big blue elephant in the room. I was very worried when they cast Will Smith in Robin William's iconic role as the Genie. Not because of Smith himself, I've actually loved this guy since his Fresh Prince of Bel-Air days, & even before them for that matter. Just knowing Smith's character, I had a feeling I knew where this was going to wind up. First strike was straight out of Ritchie's mouth with, “I like the fact that our Genie has an ego and is a little bit vain and he cares about how he’s presented because he’s been doing this for a very long time.” The words ego & vain just immediately suck the fun out the whole character for me. And if that didn't work, we're also going to get some tired hip-hop from Will Smith to go along. Who mentions there hasn't been a hip hop flavor in the Disney universe yet. Well, there hasn't been any heavy metal either, & there might just be a reason for that. The third strike came with the actual look of the Genie, but I'm putting a hold on that one for now. Only because I'm convinced there's a level of CGI that will be involved in post that doesn't make the EW pics. At least I'm hoping so. If I'm wrong it just looks like Will Smith with a funny top knot. So, all in all there's three wishes answered, & three thrown right back in my face. These are just still pics & a synopsis as well. My reserves could be wrong, & this could blow us all away. Here's hoping at least, as Aladdin is one of, if not my all time favorite of the classics. What do y'all think though? I'd love to hear it. Put it in the comments, like, & share.

First Look At Live Action "Aladdin" With New Teaser Trailer

Between trying to get ready in this new place, hurricanes, & just life stuff, I feel like I've been missing a lot. Even though I'm not fully back on track though, I said I wouldn't miss the big stuff, & this is pretty big. A couple of days ago Will Smith put out the poster for the upcoming Aladdin . I've been noticing a pattern. The poster release has usually been followed within a day or two by a trailer. So, last night I had about gave up, when I got a notification in bed that sure enough it was here. I wasn't expecting much, the movie doesn't come out until May 24th 2019, but I was looking forward to it after seeing the poster. It was basically an upgraded version of the original animated poster. Now the trailer. It's impossible to make any real decisions on these small teasers, but this one had three things that really stuck out. Aladdin was an instantly a classic for me when it released. This familiarity gives us a little more to work with in these quick looks. Out of my three standouts, we've got one bad & two good. So, I'll start with the bad. I wasn't really digging the reflection shot of Agrabah. I don't know why offhand, I just wasn't that impressed with the model. I thought the Cave of Wonders looked amazing though! Right after it bit down though, I remembered the original teaser. I immediately thought there is only one way this trailer can end to make me fully happy. Sure enough, we get that shot of Aladdin walking up on the lamp for the first time. Loved it! So one trivial, don't really care dislike. Followed by two amazing "love its" all in the course of a minute & twenty-eight seconds. A lot of which is the title. Which looks really good by the way. Once again, paying homage to the classic, but having a distinctive new, real feel as well. Very impressed, especially for just a teaser. I know it won't happen, but part of me wants them to hold off on Will Smith's Genie until I'm actually in the theater. Anyway great teaser in my book, what'd y'all think? Put it in the comments, like & share.

Disney Throws Us Some New & Updated Release Dates

Disney released the newest upcoming release date line-up, & it now includes dates for Aladdin, Christopher Robin, Artemis Fowl & more. I was just going take the easy way out & list the new ones, but I figured why not list the whole thing? Here's Disney's upcoming release line up: 

• Thor: Ragnarok (November 3, 2017): Literally already have tickets for this one. 
• Coco (November 22, 2017): I was worried at first with this being so close to the material of Book of Life, but I can't get enough of what I've seen so far.
• Star Wars: The Last Jedi (December 15, 2017): Every time the trailer for this film plays I stop what I'm doing. Doesn't matter where I am. I can't wait for this.  
• Black Panther (February 16, 2018): I didn't know much about the Black Panther until I watched the cartoon mini-series from awhile before the MCU. I loved that series though. Hoping this follows suit.
• A Wrinkle in Time (March 9, 2018): I'm not sure what to think of this yet. The trailer showed they've definitely got the means & the budget to make this, this time around. It's a very intriguing story.
• Dolphins (April 20, 2018): Saw my first DisneyNature film in theaters with the China one this year, & I'm thinking that's going to become our new Earth Day thing. Beautiful film. 
• Avengers: Infinity War (May 4, 2018): Can this just happen already?
• Untitled Han Solo Star Wars Story (May 25, 2018): Hopefully this movie will overcome it's many developmental problems & have a name by the time it's released.
• Incredibles 2 (June 15, 2018): Why have we waited so long? This should've been a thing already.
• Untitled Christopher Robin Project (August 3, 2018): This is probably one of the most intriguing films on this list. This will either be great or just wrong on so many levels. Love Ewan McGregor though.
• The Nutcracker & the Four Realms (November 2, 2018): I had never heard of this until today, but with Keira Knightley, Helen Mirren, & Morgan Freeman, I will make a point to hear more.
• Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2 (November 21, 2018): Loved the first. Heard the sneak peek at D23 was great.
• Mary Poppins Returns (December 25, 2018): Fingers crossed. It's been a long time. Emily Blunt & Lin-Manuel Miranda though? It's gotta be good right?
• Dumbo (March 29, 2019): Tim Burton? Really? Have you heard about the new story? This is the one on this list, if any, that I just don't know about this one working at all.
• Untitled DisneyToon Studios Film (April 12, 2019): Aviation. That's everything known about this movie. I have more faith in that than Dumbo.
• Live-Action Aladdin (May 24, 2019): This one is shaping up to be ever so strange. I have to see it just for that fact. Can all the peculiar choices work?
• Toy Story 4 (June 21, 2019): Can I get tickets for this now? Only question I have is will this coincide with the opening of Toy Story Land?
• Artemis Fowl (August 9, 2019): I kinda see this as Disney's answer to Harry Potter. I hope this is good enough to make me want to read the books as well. 
• Nicole (November 8, 2019): This is the weird daughter of Santa Claus movie starring Anna Kendrick. This thing is still happening.
• Star Wars: Episode IX (December 20, 2019): Newest test in J.J. Abrams ending something as good as he begins them.

Any of these stand out? Any of these you want to go away? Hit the links for everything heard so far, & then put your thoughts in the comments, like, & share.

Will Smith Puts Up First Photo Of Live Action Aladdin Cast

Will Smith posted this photo of the main Aladdin cast to announce that they've started shooting. It's Will (Genie), Mena Massoud (Aladdin), Naomi Scott (Princess Jasmine), & Marwan Kenzari (Jafar) looking like they're having a blast. I'm so intrigued with this one. All the way down to being directed by Guy Ritchie, this thing is riddled with strange decisions. I don't know if they'll wind up good or bad, but I guess that's what you get when you go for something this big & different. It seems like random decisions, Guy, a cast of relative nobodies, & a Genie from a guy whom at one point I would've said hands-down had the charisma to play him. Now however, Smith just hasn't displayed that side, opting for more somber roles. Like I said though, I'm intrigued. I can't wait to see how all this comes together in a whole new world. What do y'all think though? Who's excited for this & who thinks we're on the brink of a disaster? Put it in the comments, like, & share.

Live Action Aladdin Gets This Guy To Play Someone

Here's a weird bit of THR exclusive. Billy Magnussen is joining Disney's live-action Aladdin as Prince Anders. Putting me in the strange position of not only not knowing the actor, but not knowing the person said actor is playing either. The beauty of this is, there's no description of the character, whom is not in the original. Hence the title, this guy to play someone. Normally I would use this time to express my thoughts on the actor. However, the things I have seen that this guy was in, I don't remember him in them. I don't remember him in The Big Short or Netflix's Black Mirror, & I've never seen Into the Woods, Bridge of Spies, or The People v. O.J. Simpson. All the way to the first announcement of Guy Ritchie directing this movie has come off as weird. Not bad, just really strange decisions. Anyway, what do y'all think? Someone who knows of this guy maybe? Put it in the comments, like, & share. 

Disney's Live-Action "Aladdin" Has Found It's Jafar

I find myself wrong on this one. I was figuring the whole time if they were going to go for a relative unknown for Aladdin & Jasmine. They would go for big talent in the Genie & Jafar roles. Will Smith proved me half right on that one, but now it's been announced Marwan Kenzari will fill the role of Jafar. I saw him in the new Mummy (2017), & that's about it, if I'd blinked I would've missed him. So, it looks like besides Will Smith, we're going to get a whole set of fresh faces as he's joining Mena Mossoud (Aladdin) & Naomi Scott (Jasmine). He did apparently win a Golden Calf for Best Actor in 2013, which is something you can apparently win in the Netherlands. I'm gonna hope they know what they're doing with this one. Jafar is going to be one of those villains that's going to be hard to not come off "campy". He's a literal mustache-twirling villain. I'm all for casting calls & unknown talent though, so I wish them the best on this. Aladdin has always been one of my favorites. I'm really looking forward to seeing a live-action version done right. What do y'all think though? Relatively unknown Jafar? Who would y'all have seen take the roll if not? Put it in the comments, like, & share.

Apparently Disney Wasn't As Needy For An Aladdin As They Let On

Just days after letting everyone know they couldn't find an Aladdin after searching through 2,000 fresh faces, Disney has announced the cast for the upcoming Guy Ritchie film. Confirming Will Smith (Do you really need a reminder of who this is?) for the Genie, which we pretty much had known, at D23. As well as, Naomi Scott (Power Rangers/2017) for Princess Jasmine & Mena Massoud (Who?) for Aladdin. This is right down the line for what they were going for. I liked Naomi Scott in Power Rangers, I actually really enjoyed the first 3/4s of that movie. As for Will Smith, he's a great actor, I just hope he can dial back in to that funny. I know it's in him with Bad Boys & Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Even the first Men In Black he still had a strong comedic timing, & was fun. If we get that, this could be great. I'm just not sure he still can tap into that. As for Mena Massoud, he better be good. I want to see more of this. I like relative nobodies in main roles, I would love to see more of this.. As long as you surround them with talent, you can get a diamond in the rough of a performance. Any concerns with these choices? Let us know in the comments, like, & share.

Disney Having No Luck On It's Quest For A Street Rat

According to the John Campea Movie Vlog, it's looking like Will Smith will be filling the impossible to fill shoes of the Genie in Guy Ritchie's upcoming live action remake of Disney's Aladdin. Starting on schedule to film this month might pose a problem though, considering they can't find their leads. Specifically, with Jasmine at least having some names in the works, it seems they're really having a hard time with locking down an Aladdin. Naomi Scott (Power Rangers) leads the narrow list for the role of Jasmine. Yet the real problem is, with over 2,000 people auditioned, an Aladdin is still nowhere in sight. Production has been pushed back to August, while Disney has even started to consider abandoning the getting an unknown. I hope not, I don't mind Naomi Scott in Power Rangers. She's a rather fresh face as is. I really liked the idea of a total unknown for Aladdin though. It worked wonders for Moana. What do y'all think? Should Disney abandon the search for an unknown or keep trying? Let me know in the comments, like, & share.

D23 Announces One-Man Show "A Whole New World of Alan Menken"

Do you know who Alan Menken is? If you don't, he's the reason for all the music that was stuck in your head when you left Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Enchanted, or Tangled just to name his Disney contributions. He has written and will be performing a one-man show called A Whole New World of Alan Menken for D23 this year on Sunday, July 16th. There will be two performances in Hall D23 at the Anaheim Convention Center at 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.. This guy's amazing he's won eight Oscars with 19 nominations, more Academy Awards than any other living individual. Then on top of that, 11 Grammy Awards, 7 Golden Globes, and a friggin Tony Award. He's also been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. To be directed by Richard Kraft, all I'm hoping right now isif I can't make it to D23, they're at least going to stream it like they streamed Star Wars Celebration. This man's definitely has a track record where I can vouch for this definitely being an unforgettable  experience and I don't want to miss it.

Will Smith In Early Talks To Play Genie In Aladdin Live-Action Remake

Yup, after turning down Tim Burton's Dumbo earlier probably something hitting to close to home, you know, with the big ears thing. Seriously though, Dateline says Will Smith is now in early talks to grant some wishes in Guy Ritchie's Aladdin. Not my first pick to fill Robin Williams shoes, but when Will Smith is on he is one helluva talented actor. Not to mention if you look at his early days, he had an amazing comedic presence as well. I'll give almost anyone a chance so who knows he could knock this out of the park. It still doesn't top confusion I have about this being a Guy Ritchie movie. Lock, Stock, & Two Smoking Barrels & Snatch aren't the first things I think of when I think Disney. What do you think of Will Smith as the Genie? Let us know in the comments below.  

15 Live-Action Remakes & My Thoughts

Chip & Company sent out a list of upcoming 15 Disney live-action remakes today & I figured I'd share my thoughts on each of them. Most of these are expected, but there's a few surprises & a couple thay may just leave you scratching your head. So with no further ado, I give you:

• The Lion King: We've talked about this one recently with rumors that director, Jon Favreau eyeing Beyonce for Nala. She would join already casted Donald Glover & James Earl Jones. Yeah, ain't it great that the only replacement for James Earl Jones isJames Earl Jones. I'm excited for this. Jon Favreau did great with Jungle Book, giving me very little to worry about on this one.
• Mulan: To also be a subject later. We got writers Lauren Hynek & Elizabeth Martin along with director Niki Caro who can't make up her mind on if or where music has a place in this film. (More on that later.) I'm actually looking mord forward to this than I ever was the animated version. I love martial arts epics, & that sounds like what we'll be getting with this.
• Aladdin: One of, if not my favorite of the classics. We've got a team of directors in Guy Ritchie & John August, & I'm not sure if this worries or excites me. Though it seems a strange pick, I've got a bigger list of Guy Ritchie films I've enjoyed than I haven't.  So that being said I'm more than intrigued.
• Jungle Book 2: Jon Favreau's directing is all we know about this one & this is one of the head scratchers for me. With Disney's track record for sequels you would figure this slot would br open for a different remake. So basically, I want to see this still, I'm just hoping I want to see it again afterward.
• Maleficent 2: Screenwriter Linda Woolverton & main title role Angelina Jolie are coming back on for who cares? I mean really, the first one went out of it's way to destroy one of the greatest on screen villians of all time. How? By making her not a villian. Otherwise played perfectly, this film took the evil out of a villian so hateful she wished death upon a baby just for not being invited to a party.  So on this sequel, I'll pass.
• Mary Poppins Returns: This one's not a remake, but a sequel. It's currently has Emily Blunt as the main character, Lin-manuel Miranda, and Dick Van Dyke returning to his role. I found a love for Mary Poppins late in life and that's probably one of the reasons that I am secretly looking very much forward to the sequel.
• Snow White: Now this one's a little iffy for me. Mainly because it seems like it's been done a lot recently. However I will give it a chance, as it's one of my favorite stories, and nobody does stories like Disney does stories. Anyway, we have Priscilla Wilson as a writer and Justin Paul and Benj Pasek will be writing new original music for the film.
• Rose Red: I don't know much of what to say about this one, and it's mainly because I don't know what this one's about. Apparently Snow White and Rose Red is about two sisters that encounter an enchanted bear. It's also rumored that this film is not going to follow that storyline anyway. So it looks like anyone who does know about this one, well, they might not really know about it either.
• The Little Mermaid: I tell you this, we know the music's going to be amazing. Lin-manuel Miranda is teaming up with the original songwriter Alan Menken to write a new music to go along with the pre-existing songs in the film. This especially gets my attention as new music sounds like new scenes, and new scenes sound like the expanding a story that I've always loved. Even if I thought was a little short to begin with.
• Peter Pan: Another one the list we don't know too much about other than it's directed by David Lowery and written by Lowery and Toby Halbrooks. I personally can't wait for another Peter Pan as many people have tried this since the animated version, and Hook has been the closest thing to get it right. Which doesn't really count as it's a sequel.
• Oliver & Company: Tommy Kail is on board to direct this remake that was about a cat that got taken in by a bunch of street smart dogs. One of the best things about this was the music and hopefully we can recapture that. As a kid this burned into me that Billy Joel was the man. This was another one of my childhood favorites.
• James & the Giant Peach: This was announced last year to be written by Nick Hornby and directed by Sam Mendes. It'll be a live-action remake of the '96 stop-action film. While James and the Giant Peach never really stood out for me, I am very curious to see how someone would pull off something so ambitious to try to create in live-action.
• Winnie the Pooh: I love this silly old bear. The film is supposed to be directed by Marc Forster and written by Alex Ross Perry and there's a rumor that it could be titled Christopher Robin. I've heard many theories on this live-action movie and all of them sound just as great as the next.
• Dumbo: Oh Dumbo. Written by Ehren Krueger, directed by Tim Burtonm with Colin Farrell and Danny DeVito in talks to star I just don't know really what to think about this one. With talk of a family from Kentucky, a big ring circus taking over a small ring circus, and no talk of flying elephants I'm not sure what we're even going to get with this one.
• Cruella: With Emma Stone set to star in the title role I don't know whether to be excited or reserved on this actually happening, and I think most of that lands on Maleficent. Thankfully, I don't see any way even Disney could turn someone who wants to kill a bunch of puppies for a coat, into any shade of a good person. So, if that's the case, this might finally be the villain picture I was looking for.

So there you go there's my thoughts on the big 15 coming out sooner or later. What do you think? Do you agree, do you disagree? Do you have some altogether different insights? I would love to hear it, let me know in the comments, and don't forget to like and share.

Aladdin Casting Call is Out

Is Disney bringing back the casting call? After what could only be considered a smashing success with the open casting of Moana, they're at it again. Collider Movie Talk reports THR confirms the studio has sent out a casting call for Middle Eastern actors ages 18-25 for Jasmine & Aladdin.

This is hopefully a sign of things to come. Sometimes it's easy to think Hollywood is a closed off place when you see that most actors seem to come from parents who are also themselves actors. These open casting calls put that thought to rest by giving everyone a chance. It also not only finds the best performers for the role, it puts more emphasis on the quality. Not knowing if that big name will be there to lean on.