Anna Daniels
To say it’s inevitable that Disney would make a sequel to their live-action reboot of Aladdin is also inevitable. If that all sounds confusing, we’re living in a world where expanding on reboots is the norm for big studios, other than the rare originals managing to win all the Oscars.
While critical response to last year’s Aladdin was more than a little mixed (outside of stellar box office), Disney thinks there’s another story to tell after where it left off. This one won’t have any relation to the animated versions produced, leaving a lot of people perplexed on where a new story could go.
Then again, there are some plot points to pick up on, namely Genie becoming human and marrying Dalia, something very different from the animated ending. Also, Jasmine becoming ruler was another great modern twist, if also potentially bringing complications later.
Genie living in a human world could potentially be interesting to explore
Having a fantastical character becoming human is certainly no new trope, yet it’s never really been done in an entire movie with a genie. Some might think having a humanized Genie/Will Smith is no different than seeing Smith in any other live-action movie he’s starred in.
Maybe it would be a relief not to see him in the Genie makeup and garb since it received so much flak from fans.
If one could joke they could spin this into a Fresh Genie From Bel Air/Agrabah type of scenario, let’s hope they don’t stick in any meta jokes. From all reports, Disney was truly sold on an original story idea from John Gatins and Andrea Berloff (Straight Outta Compton scribes) that will move forward eventually.
When it will happen is the only question at the moment, despite everyone involved before expected to return. Whether director Guy Ritchie will want to return after facing criticism for his direction is still up in the air.
One thing for sure is Disney needs to make this film very different from anything else in the franchise. As any fan of the original Disney Aladdin knows, several direct-to-DVD sequels were made and lambasted by avid viewers.
Should it explore Jasmine’s challenges being a woman leader?
The most compelling thing the sequel could tap into is Jasmine being made ruler and the Sultan changing the law in her being forced to marry a prince. That was already a major pivot from the Disney fairy tale endings of old, potentially setting up a whole new path.
Regardless, just ending it there was enough in knowing Jasmine could live a life not filled with being controlled at every turn. Being the new leader, however, means likely running into major roadblocks just because she’s a woman.
It seems almost inevitable this is the story Disney was sold on as they become more mindful of our culture and where it is today. Should they go in this direction, it would give Naomi Scott a larger role to explore being a sultan and how married life with Aladdin suits her.
Or, it might get brave and demonstrate rebellious female bias in the land of Agrabah.
Because this will be titled Aladdin 2, everyone should assume Aladdin will still factor into the story. Unless there’s a subtitle to go along with the franchise title.
And what of Genie and Dalia?
At the last sight of Genie being humanized and marrying Dalia, they set off to explore the world. Just how far will Genie and Dalia travel?
Potentially, this could be a film on its own, but what lies beyond Agrabah is never really mentioned. Many fans continue to argue when the story really takes place, whether in the 8th or 9th century, or later.
Maybe everyone will see Genie explore ancient Europe or the Holy Land, only to come back to see Aladdin and Jasmine with things he’s acquired from his travels. No doubt he’ll be involved in whatever problems they face.
If this means Genie turning back into a genie after realizing being human wasn’t for him after all (and marriage), there might have to be a deep dive into where all logic went.
Written by: Cheat
