Disney has officially cast its Aladdin remake leads! Actress Naomi Scott has been chosen to play the Arabian princess Jasmine while newcomer Mena Massoud will portray the titular character. Will Smith is also set to star in the remake as Genie.
The casting was announced at the D23 Expo on July 15. Naomi Scott and Mena Massoud were chosen from over 2000 actors and actresses.
Naomi Scott’s credits include Power Rangers & Lemonade Mouth
Most recently seen as the Pink Ranger in the new Power Rangers movie, Scott was relatively unknown before the role.
The London born actress, who is of Gujarati-Indian and British descent, has previously worked with Disney. In 2011, she starred as Mohini “Mo” Banjaree in the Disney Channel Original Movie, Lemonade Mouth.
Scott, 24, has also made herself known in television. She appeared in the short-lived series Terra Nova back in 2011.
The actress took to Twitter to react to the news:
Egyptian Canadian actor Mena Massoud is the new Aladdin!
The House of Mouse had quite the trouble finding its male lead for the movie. Fans rallied for Slumdog Millionaire star Dev Patel for the role but the audience will witness a newcomer on the screen.
Massoud is yet an unknown name in Hollywood but that’s about to change soon. In addition to the role in the live action remake, Massoud is set to star in the Amazon series Jack Ryan alongside John Krasinski.
In June, it was announced that the actor had also been signed for Rowan Athale’s Strange but True. Follow him on Instagram @menamassey soon because he’s about to blow up on social media!
Massoud is a native of Egypt and was brought up in Canada. He presently divides his time between Toronto and Los Angeles.