Billy Magnussen Cast as New Character in Disney's Live-Action Aladdin
(© David Gordon)
The upcoming Disney live-action film reboot of the 1992 animated feature Aladdin will star Tony nominee Billy Magnussen as Prince Anders, a new role created for the film, according to the Hollywood Reporter. No further details about the character have so far been announced.
Magnussen joins previously announced cast members Will Smith as the Genie (originally voiced by Robin Williams), Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine, Mena Massoud as Aladdin, and Marwan Kenzari as Jafar. Guy Ritchie will direct the film, with a screenplay by John August.
Magnussen was nominated for a 2013 Tony Award for originating the role of Spike in Christopher Durang's Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. He has since appeared as Rapunzel's Prince in 2014's Into the Woods, The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story, and more.
Aladdin was originally released in 1992, featuring music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. The cast of voices included Scott Weinger (Aladdin), Robin Williams (Genie), Jonathan Freeman (Jafar), and Linda Larkin (Jasmine), with Tony winner Lea Salonga supplying the singing voice of Jasmine.
The stage musical Aladdin opened at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre on March 20, 2014, with Jonathan Freeman reprising his original performance as Jafar. The production earned five Tony nominations, including Best Musical and Best Original Score.
