Casting Coup Tuesdays: Aladdin

In 1989, The Little Mermaid ushered in what we now know as The Disney Renaissance. This period, which continued through 1998 (Mulan), begat a series of now-classic films that changed cinematic history. The Lion King (1994) inspired a Broadway smash hit; Beauty and the Beast (1991) was the first cartoon to be nominated for Best Picture; and the 1992 film Aladdin became the first animated film to cross the 200 million dollar mark at the box office!

And it's no wonder! It's fast-paced, funny, and boasts three unforgettable songs: the show-stopping, toe-tapping "Friend Like Me", the utter blast of "Prince Ali", and the Oscar-winning love duet "A Whole New World". Robin Williams' work as the Genie is rightfully considered one of the greatest  performances in film history, voice-only or otherwise, and earned the actor a special Golden Globe, as  well as the MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance. It's unmatchable. Only a fool would attempt to replicate it.

So let's not replicate it. Let's instead imagine a different Aladdin. A live-action Aladdin.

After the jump, I mean.

Casting Coup Tuesdays: Mulan

If you've been to the movies, or if you're alive, then you're well aware of Disney's recent trend of remaking its catalogue of animated movies as live action films. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs became Mirror Mirror; Sleeping Beauty was turned into the darker, more Maleficent-focused...Maleficent; Cinderella was stripped of its songs and became a sort go showcase for Cate Blanchett; The Jungle Book is on its way; and Beauty and the Beast, starring Emma "Hermione Granger" Watson, is currently shooting. Besides that, the studio has confirmed that Dumbo, somehow, is in the works, but the movie they told us to expect down the road may be the very one we want to see most.

I'm talking about Mulan.

(more after the jump)

May and June Casting Coups!

Casting Coup Tuesdays are coming back -- and not just as part of the Retro Series either!


MAY
Disney's been on a live action kick -- so let's join them.

May 5: MULAN - announced as among the next batch of intended live action remakes

May 12: ALADDIN

May 19: THE BLACK CAULDRON

May 26: POCAHONTAS

JUNE
Y'all know I love me a musical. So let's revisit some classic ones.

June 2: THE WIZ - already announced as NBC's next Live Musical production

June 9: ZORBA - musical version of the Oscar-winning film, the latter of which was discussed a bit back in the day

June 16: FLOWER DRUM SONG - Original Broadway version

June 23: A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC

June 30: CALAMITY JANE - the 1953 film, which we discussed a bit last year

JULY
Oh, we'll get there when we get there.


So mark your calendars, come up with your own casts, and make sure to share all your thoughts and feelings in the comments!

You May Also Enjoy:

ZergNet

Like us on Facebook