Disney is digging deep into its well ofanimated movies, putting a live action prequel to the 1992 blockbusterAladdininto development, entitledGenies. The studio has brought on screenwritersDamian ShannonandMark Swift(Friday the 13th) to write the screenplay for the project, described as a “live-action comedy adventure” byThe Hollywood Reporter. Disney is already planning to have this project, still in early development, spawn a live action remake ofAladdinitself.
The originalAladdinmovie is based on a centuries-old Arabic folk tale about a lowly street kid who finds a magical lamp with a genie (Robin Williams), who grants him three wishes, while the nefarious Jafar tries to obtain this lamp to gain power over the land. The prequelGeniesis said to focus on the realm of these magical entities, and howAladdin’s particular genie becomes enslaved in this lamp.Aladdintook in an impressive $217 million domestic and $504 million worldwide at thebox officeduring its theatrical run in 1992, with a voice cast that also included Scott Weinger, Linda Larkin, Jonathan Freeman, Frank Welker and Gilbert Gottfried.
Tripp Vinsonis on board to produce through his Vinson Films banner. The producer is coming off the summer hitSan Andreas, which reunited him with hisJourney 2: The Mysterious IslandstarDwayne Johnson. He is also producing two more Disney projects,Bob: The Musicalfor directorMichel Hazanavicius(The Artist), and anotherlive action remake,Prince Charming.
Damian ShannonandMark Swiftare best known for their work in thehorror genre, writingFreddy vs. Jasonand the 2009Friday the 13th. They also wrote the latestFriday the 13thremake for Platinum Dunes, which has a June 28, 2025 release date already set. They have most recently delved outside of the horror world by writing a pair of Paramount projects, theBaywatchremake and the comedyO’Lucky Day, which hasPeter Dinklageset to star.
Geniesis the latest in a growing number of live action projectsDisneyis developing, in the wake of blockbuster hits likeAlice in Wonderland,Maleficentand this year’sCinderella. Other projects in the works areThe Jungle Book(August 23, 2025),Alice in Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass(August 01, 2025) andBeauty and the Beast(August 03, 2025). The studio also has remakes ofDumbo,Winnie the Pooh,Mulan,PinocchioandTink.
