'Aladdin' Spinoff Series Starring Billy Magnussen Sparks Criticism From Fans
There's reportedly an Aladdin spinoff in the works -- and people have something to say about it.
On Friday, The Hollywood Reporter shared that Disney is developing a spinoff centered on Billy Magnussen as his scene-stealing character from the 2019 live-action adaptation, Prince Anders. The magazine reports that the studio has hired Jordan Dunn and Michael Kvamme to write a script for Disney+, adding that the show will not be a sequel to Aladdin.
Prince Anders was a new character added to the live-action reboot. He hailed from the fictional kingdom of Skanland and was a proposed suitor for Princess Jasmine. While he only had a few minor scenes, THR reports that Magnussen had a hand in pitching the idea to Disney.
However, fans of the movie are criticizing the decision following Aladdin star Mena Massoud's recent comments about not being able to get an audition, despite his titular role in the film, which has grossed over a billion dollars worldwide.
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"I'm kind of tired of staying quiet about it. I want people to know that it's not always dandelions and roses when you're doing something like Aladdin," the 28-year-old Egyptian actor said in a recent interview with The Daily Beast. "'He must have made millions. He must be getting all these offers.' It's none of those things. I haven't had a single audition since Aladdin came out."
Fans took to Twitter to express their disappointment in giving Prince Anders a spinoff when they could have done more with Massoud.
"So the dude who plays Aladdin can’t get an audition but the one white dude with one scene in a majority brown cast gets his own movie. Certainly a great look Disney," one person tweeted.
So the dude who plays Aladdin can’t get an audition but the one white dude with one scene in a majority brown cast gets his own movie. Certainly a great look Disney
— gripmonster (@TheGripmonster) December 6, 2019
"I didn’t like Aladdin remake. I don’t even like Mena tbh. But the fact that an unnecessary white character, that played no significant role in the Aladdin movie is getting a spin off, whilst Mena is jobless is telling," wrote another.
I didn’t like Aladdin remake. I don’t even like Mena tbh.
But the fact that an unnecessary white character, that played no significant role in the Aladdin movie is getting a spin off, whilst Mena is jobless is telling. pic.twitter.com/LtTsGs7UNv— Keshav Kant (@MxKantEven) December 6, 2019
See more reactions below:
Soooooooooooo #aladdin gets a white spinoff? I would much rather see the genie and his wife and kids on their boat. Or return of Jafar. Mmmmmm jafar.
— Lia (@raenstorm) December 6, 2019
There’s literally two animated Aladdin sequels and a whole series that could be adapted but nah let’s give a show to the only white guy https://t.co/oU04Y1zA9X
— EZ🎄☃️❄️ (@alwayspizzatime) December 6, 2019
Sure, give the white guy who could be replaced with some cheap souvenir from overseas (and not affect the plot at all) a spinoff while @MenaMassoud is left hanging after Aladdin’s success. 🙄https://t.co/3SPSxsiW3Y
— レオニアの絶望 - 闇の世界 (@leonia_19) December 6, 2019
Disney: We sought out a diverse cast for the Aladdin remake to avoid whitewashing.
Everyone: Good!
D: Aladdin's box office success proves that you don't have to cast white leads to make money.
E: Good!
D: We're developing a TV show around the one white character in Aladdin! pic.twitter.com/7tsu5f9Lmp— J Wolff Hughes (@JWOLFFH) December 6, 2019
Disney+ has a hit in the live-action Aladdin and decides to spin off... *checks notes* the white dude in four scenes.
*sigh*
https://t.co/J0VYdoApoQ via @thr— Alaina Patterson (@WillBeFunOrElse) December 6, 2019
i promise not a single soul went to see aladdin for the radom white guy written in as a joke of man for a short subplot https://t.co/rkL3EQGjUH
— edith (@crxssida) December 6, 2019
Disney reacting to the $1.05 billion success of ALADDIN by giving Billy Magnussen's Prince Anders a Disney+ spin-off is both a cruel joke made real and proof that the Mouse House really doesn't care what the Internet thinks about such things. pic.twitter.com/ZfeSKtXrPp
— Scott Mendelson (@ScottMendelson) December 6, 2019
This says it all, doesn’t it? #Aladdin#MenaMassoudpic.twitter.com/gKODojMJzo
— Connor Behrens (@ConnorBehrens) December 6, 2019
so basically the actual ALADDIN isn’t getting any roles in films and auditions and has talked about the struggles through interviews but the white guy in aladdin who talked like 4 times is getting a whole ass spinoff on disney+,, no thanks https://t.co/8C0ZAFF3r0
— nidhi (@softestnaomi) December 6, 2019
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