If there are two things Hollywood adores right now (besides superhero movies), it’s origin stories and live-action fairy tales. Maleficent and a Prince Charming movie on the horizon, and the studio is going just another step forward as it brings the beginnings of Aladdin’s best friend, the Genie, to the big screen.
Written by Damian Shannon and Mark Shift, horror writers behind flicks like Freddy vs. Jason and the 2009 Friday the 13th remake who’ve transitioned into comedy with their pens guiding the new Baywatch movie and the Peter Dinklage-starring, Bad Santa-esque R-rated leprechaun romp O’Lucky Day, the studio is developing Genies as a live-action comedy adventure. It won’t bring Aladdin in the mix (at least, not for now), but rather focuses on the “realm of the Genies and reveal how Aladdin’s Genie ended up enslaved in the lamp.” Comedy gold.
Much like last year’s Angelina Jolie-starring picture, chances are this will more liberally borrow from the original Arabic folk tale, but shoehorn in references and callbacks to the 1992 animated movie so as to let everyone in the audience not forget what they’re watching. The plan is to have this lead to a live-action Aladdin movie if it’s successful. Of course.
With the death of Robin Williams still looming over our collective cultural perspective, though, I’ve gotta ask: is this a little too brash a notion? I mean sure, it won’t be as present when the movie comes out in two-or-so years time, but what made people love the character more than anything else was Williams’ heartfelt, soulful performance. Comparisons are simply inevitable, and people are probably going to see whoever plays the role as a second-rate version of what came before, instead of what he’ll bring to the table. Well, unless they completely try to shake it up. As far as I’m concerned, it’s very much like what’s happening with Jared Leto with Suicide Squad right now.
This isn’t me saying I think Disney is trying to capitalize on Williams’ death. Because I don’t. I know this is them just trying to gain interest from a story and character that’s proven very successful for them, just like they are doing right now with Beauty and the Beast, Pinocchio, Dumbo and the list literally goes on and on and on. It’s not needed, but if it can end up good like Cinderella this year, I’ll keep my mind open and (maybe) my mouth shut.
Then again, typically when it comes to these origins films, I tend to side with Patton Oswalt’s George Lucas bit. I’m a little bias. It’s hard to judge fully a movie that isn’t even written yet, so I won’t set my opinions permanently in stone. But let’s just say I have reservations. [THR]
