Jasmine and Aladin Announces Cast4 min read

Actors Mena Massoud and Power Rangers star Naomi Scott have booked a flight on a magic carpet ride as they scored the coveted role of Aladdin while Scott will be playing Jasmine in the Aladdin movie. Set to be directed by Guy Ritchie,the announcement came at D23 earlier today.. The duo join the only other talent cast for the Disney musical, Will Smith, who will be playing the Genie.

The casting news comes days after The Hollywood Reporter looked into the months-long search for the leads, which included casting directors stationed in multiple countries and testing over 2,000 actors of the roles. While there was interest in names like Dev Patel and Riz Ahmed, Disney ultimately went with an unknown to play their Prince Ali.

Aladdin is set to begin shooting in August in London. Disney is currently on the hunt for villain Jafar, who will likely be played by a name actor. Other roles yet to be filled include the Sultan and Jafar’s sidekick Iago. Aladdin will be the latest installment in Disney’s long-line of lucrative live-action adaptations of their classic animations, which include the upcoming Mulan movie, from director Niki Caro, and Jon Favreau’s Lion King.