In July, it was announced that Naomi Scott had been selected to play Princess Jasmine in the upcoming live-action Aladdin film, which will be directed by Guy Ritchie. Some were critical of the casting choice as Naomi Scott is half-white and half-Indian, which caused some to question why Disney couldn’t find a female lead that is Arab to play the role.
Now, Disney has once again found themselves being criticized for something dealing with race. Apparently in the live-action film there will be a completely new white character, Prince Anders. Adding a white character into the fictional city of Agrabah, which is inspired by a Middle Eastern city, has some questioning Disney’s decision.
According to EW, Billy Magnussen has been chosen for the new role. Some find the creation of his character along with the casting choice of Naomi Scott insensitive. Magnussen previously portrayed Rapunzel’s Prince in the 2014 film Into the Woods.
Here is a sample of some of the reaction on social media to the creation of Prince Anders:
Why did they add a white prince to #Aladdin? This is going to be a disaster ♂️ pic.twitter.com/0Hjrs2FNzT
— Jovanny Evans (@jobonito) September 6, 2017
IDK . . .to be fair to the new #Aladdin . . .the story does say, “”Princes travelled from far and wide to woo the Sultan’s daughter” . . .
— Isa C. (@angelstorm452) September 6, 2017
I’m guessing this Prince Anders character will be 1 of the suitors like in the beginning of the film. Just a bit part [hopefully] #Aladdin
— Daniel_Bevis (@Daniel_Bevis) September 6, 2017
+ Like we literally can’t exist without a white POV to feed the audience. It’s exhausting, annoying, and yep, racist. #Aladdin
— Tatia Defend DACA (@piecrustblues) September 6, 2017
It’s not realistic to have a white guy in the Middle East during ancient times. #Aladdin #BillyMagnussen
— Shravan Amin (@shrave) September 6, 2017
Credit: EW and Digital Spy
