Disney Struggling to Find Middle Eastern Actors for 'Aladdin' Leads

If Disney had a magic lamp that granted three wishes, chances are the studio would use two of them on finding the leads for the upcoming Aladdin live-action film.

Director Guy Ritchie and casting director Randi Hiller has been in the midst of a worldwide casting call since March to fill the role of the titular street urchin who becomes a prince in the eagerly anticipated update of the 1992 animated classic. And after 2,000 actors and actresses have read for the roles of Jasmine and Aladdin, according to The Hollywood Reporter, the search doesn’t seem any closer to a storybook ending.

Riz Ahmed at the ‘Rogue One’ premiere last December. (Getty Images)

While Slumdog Millionaire actor Dev Patel and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story veteran Riz Ahmed have both circled the part, Richie and company reportedly have their hearts set on a newcomer. Sources told the trade publication that Naomi Scott (Power Rangers) and Indian actress Tara Sutaria are the front-runners to play Jasmine.

But the studio has promised that they will only cast actors of Middle-Eastern or Indian descent to avoid any impression of white-washing in a story set in the Middle East. Despite searches in London, Dubai, Egypt and India, there has been little progress in finding a candidate that checks the right boxes—and who can sing and dance.

“The test process was a mess,” an agent told The Hollywood Reporter. One piece of casting that is set in stone: Will Smith will play the Genie, who was immortalized by Robin Williams in the animated version.