The live-action train is fully out of the station for Disney, and another classic is coming down the pike with Guy Ritchie‘s live-action Aladdin. Ritchie isn’t making the film through the lens of political correctness though.
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In an interview with Kristopher Tapley on Variety’s Playback podcast, Ritchie was asked about the project, specifically as it relates to perceived stereotypes. An understandable question, seeing as Hollywood has come under fire in recent years for its slow uptake regarding stereotypes and casting diversity. “Decency is decency. Humanity is humanity. I think the film will dictate exactly what the tone is supposed to be and who’s supposed to be in it,” Ritchie says. “You just don’t want to feel like you’re muscled into it, because you’re bullied into it. It will be what it will be, because it should be what it should be. It will have its own authentic voice, and you don’t want that voice contaminated by a PC army.”
While Ritchie will let the casting happen naturally, producer Dan Lin has previously stated that there is a diverse vision in place for the project, saying “Look at me. I mean I’m not a typical guy. Listen I’m very fortunate working in Hollywood; I am diverse. So when I came in to make the movie, I wanted to make a diverse version of the movie. Luckily for me Guy Ritchie has the same vision and Disney has the same vision, so we’re not here to make Prince of Persia. We want to make a movie that’s authentic to that world.”
Disney’s current hit Beauty and the Beast is in theaters now, and you can find the official synopsis below.
Beauty and the Beast is the fantastic journey of Belle, a bright, beautiful and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a beast in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s hideous exterior and realize the kind heart and soul of the true Prince within.
Beauty and the Beast stars Emma Watson as Belle; Dan Stevens as the Beast; Luke Evans as Gaston, the handsome, but shallow villager who woos Belle; Oscar winner Kevin Kline as Maurice, Belles eccentric, but lovable father; Josh Gad as Lefou, Gaston’s long-suffering aide-de-camp; Golden Globe nominee Ewan McGregor as Lumiere, the candelabra; Oscar nominee Stanley Tucci as Maestro Cadenza, the harpsichord; Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, the feather duster; six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald as Madame Garderobe, the wardrobe; Oscar nominee Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, the mantel clock; and two-time Academy Award winner Emma Thompson as the teapot, Mrs. Potts.
Beauty and the Beast is in theaters now, while Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales lands on May 26, 2017. Cars 3 is next up, racing into theaters on July 14, 2017, with Pixar’s Coco hitting on November 22nd, 2017. Disney’s live action Cruella currently has no release date, and neither does Maleficent 2, The Jungle Book sequel, or the live-action Aladdin. Toy Story 4 hits on July 13, 2018, and the live-action Mulan is scheduled for November 2nd, 2018. Mary Poppins Returns lands shortly thereafter on December 25, 2018.
MORE ALADDIN: Dreamcasting The Aladdin Live-Action Movie / Live-Action Aladdin Will Begin Filming This Year / Producer Teases Project’s Musical Future / Aladdin Directors Weigh In On Fan Theories
