- Is the live-action Aladdin sequel a mistake for Disney?
What up, I'm Maude Garrett,
and if you haven't watched the Little Women trailer yet,
what are you doing?
Go, go watch it, just pause this video, we're gonna wait.
Go, you're still here.
(elevator muzak)
Anyway, Avengers: Endgame, The Lion King,
Captain Marvel, Aladdin,
what do these films all have in common?
They are all members of Disney's 2019 billion dollar club,
which, as the name implies,
means that they all crossed
the billion dollar mark at the box office, just this year.
And Disney still has Frozen 2, the Maleficent sequel,
and Star Wars: Episode IX on the horizon.
What was that, the sound of cha-ching.
(cash register chime)
Despite its dreary earnings call last week,
the House of Mouse, (imitates Mickey Mouse)
is having a better year across the board,
with many of its films raking in the cash from fans
hungry for those signature superhero movies
and live action adaptations.
And one of these hits might just have more to offer,
Aladdin!
That's right, now while the film received mixed reviews
among fans and critics,
the movie did make bank at the box office.
And just this week,
one of the film's producers, Dan Lin,
spoke with Syfy about the possibility of a sequel.
(clears throat) He's American, alright.
"We'd love to.
"People clearly loved the movie
"and watched it multiple times
"and we get lots of fan letters
"and people asking us to make Return of Jafar,
"and I can just tell you
"that we're in early stages right now,
"but we are certainly talking about another movie."
Ha, so many Rs.
Lin continued:
"Like with Aladdin it will not be a straight remake
"of any movie that's been made before,
"so we are looking at where's the best way
"to go with these characters."
So if one of your three wishes from the Genie
was for an Aladdin sequel, you might be in luck.
That said, what could Disney's approach
to an Aladdin sequel be?
And is it a mistake to make a sequel to Aladdin at all?
So far, Disney's live action adaptations,
or animations if you're considering the Lion King.
Have been its solo films,
drawing mainly from the Disney Renaissance
of the late '80s and early '90s, AKA our childhood.
However, this year we will be getting Maleficent Two,
a sequel to the reimagining of Sleeping Beauty.
So we don't know how well that film will do
with audiences and critics just yet.
But considering the first film's success,
plus the addition of Michelle Pfeiffer as a villain, yes,
it should be a hit.
And with Aladdin specifically, Disney has a few options.
Like Lin mentioned, the animated Aladdin
already has The Return of Jafar as a sequel.
Now this movie, I didn't realize this,
became Disney's equivalent of a cult hit.
The direct-to-video successor
made $300 million in VHS sales.
VHS, now for the younger viewers, it's actually,
it's a video tape.
Where, it had movies on it.
They were the size and weight of a brick,
and it came in a thick case,
and it made the most most satisfying noise
when you opened and closed them.
Oh, what memories, it came before the DVD,
for those wondering.
(TV set clicks off)
Now, beyond The Return of Jafar,
Aladdin also has a third film installment in the franchise.
Aladdin and the King of Thieves.
Not to be confused with the Prince of Thieves,
there's been an upgrade.
Now it wasn't as beloved or profitable
as the Return of Jafar,
adapting this film could be another viable option
considering the fans' lukewarm reception
to the live-action Jafar,
critiquing him for his lack of hotness.
But honestly who wants a daddy Jafar?
(buzzer beeps)
They were also saying
that he wasn't necessarily that scary as well.
Whatever happens with Jafar,
as long as Disney writes the wrong
with what they did to Iago in the live-action adaptation
and allow him to speak in the sequel, we're gonna be good.
Hashtag Let Iago Squawk.
(imitates parrot)
What was that?
(imitates parrot) Better.
Another possibility for an Aladdin sequel
could be a new original story,
yes, a whole new world, right, just like the name says.
Jumping off the ending of the first film,
and bringing back characters from that movie.
Despite the trailer's first impressions,
(exclaims in disquiet), Will Smith's Genie
was actually generally cited as the highlight of Aladdin,
so, bringing him back
and potentially putting the focus on him for the sequel,
could be a fun way to continue its story.
Plus, Disney has had the most critical success
in their live-action adaptations
with the films that put a twist
on the original source material,
like Cinderella, and hoping it's gonna be Mulan as well,
I feel good about that one.
But should Disney
be dipping into its animated sequel well this soon?
There are still live action remakes in the Disney pipeline,
I mean, like we mentioned, the upcoming Mulan in theaters,
we've got Lady and the Tramp,
the adaptation's coming on Disney+,
a bunch of others on the way
for that streaming service too, just to name a few.
And Disney still has animated films to remake
from the Disney Renaissance and beyond,
like Hercules, yes, Tarzan, mmm,
The Hunchback of Notre Dame, eh, Pocahontas, yes,
and plenty more,
so why choose to pursue an Aladdin sequel,
when there are so many other films that are on the table?
Look, at the end of the day,
the live-action Aladdin made a billion dollars.
(cash register ding)
Now while it didn't quite have
the divisive reaction as The Lion King, which I liked.
Fans still took their magic carpets to the theaters
to see the movie.
And with 90s nostalgia not going anywhere anytime soon,
an Aladdin sequel could definitely draw back
its original audience and more.
Were it to do something different in a sequel.
Or, it could have a similar underground success
if it went the Return of Jafar route.
Now it is important to keep in mind
that we still don't know if any Aladdin sequel
will actually be happening, but all things considered,
the fan hype for the Aladdin sequels,
the box office success of the first Aladdin,
and the general craving for the 90s Disney films,
if Disney wants to continue its box office dominance,
then another trip to the Desert of Agrabah
would be a safe bet.
Plus an Aladdin sequel would be an opportunity
to break the traditional live-action mold
and potentially bust out of the staleness remake fatigue.
So, if you want it, keep rubbin' that lamp Aladdin fans.
But what do you folks think?
Would you want to see a sequel to Aladdin?
Do you prefer The Return of Jafar or The King of Thieves?
And why isn't there a live action Hercules
in the works already?
(exclaims) Let's discuss.
Thank you guys so much for watching,
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Buh-bye.
(soothing electronic music)
(pencil scratching) (paper rips)