Aladdin 2 director Guy Ritchie confirms that he is still working on the movie and has many ideas for its upcoming sequel. Despite mixed reviews and an initial negative reception with its teaser trailer, the 2019 live-action of Aladdin was a major financial success for Disney, grossing over $1.054 billion at the worldwide box office against a $183 million budget. A sequel was officially confirmed the following year, alongside a Prince Anders spinoff film for Disney+, with Billy Magnussen reprising his role.
Now, speaking with Collider to promote his latest film, Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, Ritchie confirmed that he would still like to make the sequel and has been working on a few ideas for it.
While not revealing those ideas, Ritchie praised Disney for its professionalism and stated that he will ultimately have to wait and see with the studio when the Aladdin sequel will happen. Check out what he said on the matter below:
I'd very much like to. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed that experience. It was a great experience. That whole Disney thing, as you can imagine, is such a professional outfit. Just from that perspective, it was so much fun. I would very much like to, we'll wait and see. We have been kicking some ideas around for some time now, but it'd be great to do, it would be great to go back there.
Everything We Know About Aladdin 2
While an Aladdin sequel has been confirmed, it has been a while since Disney, or anyone supposedly involved with it, has said anything about it. While the first Aladdin remained faithful to the original animated movie, it was revealed that the live-action sequel will have an original concept different from the animated Aladdin sequels. However, that was the last of the major updates about the sequel. While Guy Ritchie's comments on the status of the sequel is reassuring, it also doesn't feel like it's a sure sign that the sequel will get made.
Nevertheless, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, and Will Smith are all expected to reprise their respective roles as Aladdin, Princess Jasmine, and Genie. It has been reported that Smith is expected to have an even bigger role in the sequel than in the 2019 film, even after the slapping incident involving himself and Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards. John Gatins and Andrea Berloff are working hard at writing the script, and Ritchie is also expected to return as director.
Ritchie is also working on many other projects that don't involve Aladdin. Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre is finally releasing American theaters on March 3, followed by The Covenant releasing in April. Ritchie is also filming The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare with Henry Cavill, Eiza Gonzalez, Henry Golding, and Alan Ritchson while also working on a spinoff TV series of his 2020 film The Gentlemen. Given how busy Ritchie is with his current crafts, it is unclear if Aladdin 2 will be his next project, but only time will tell if it will start filming soon.
Source: Collider