Sources Say Live Action Aladdin Sequel Coming
Deadline had the exclusive on the Rick Moranis news on Wednesday but Variety countered with a scoop of their own. Justin Kroll reported, “Aladdin is getting a sequel.” That’s right, an Aladdin sequel is coming!
“Following the massive success of last summer’s reboot, Disney is developing a follow-up to the film with writers John Gatins and Andrea Berloff.”
Variety’s sources also told Kroll the movie is in “early development” and produced by Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich. The hope is that much of the original cast will reprise their roles, but no contracts have been signed. Director Guy Ritchie’s status is unknown.
What Determines Sequel Success?
Aladdin (2019) earned $355,559,216 domestically, with a $1,050,693,953 take (BoxOfficeMojo.com).
Audiences loved the film to a 94% score on RottenTomatoes.com. But critics were, well, critical giving the reboot a 57% — or rotten — score.
The New Yorker’s Anthony Lane said, “In short, it’s a whole old world.” And A.O. Scott of The New York Times explained, “The movie itself, while not entirely terrible – a lot of craft has been purchased, and even a little art – is pointless in a particularly aggressive way.”
We Liked Last Year’s Aladdin
This reviewer liked it very much.
Last May, I wrote:
[N]ew viewers of the tale, those who don’t remember their last viewing of the now vintage Robin Williams-led romp; might bypass the bottleneck of loyalty and comparison to the beloved animated. And they just might like this release of the genie even better.
Given the machinations necessary to make the reboot “original,” one wonders if the creators can pull another genie out of the bottle for a sequel.