Nine years after Rock’n’Rolla, Hardy could be poised to film a 10th movie with director Guy Ritchie. Rumours reported by the British tabloid, The Sun, suggest that the actor has been approached to star in the live-action remake of Disney’s animated classic Aladdin, helmed by the Snatch director.
The actor – who bagged an Oscar nomination last year for his performance in The Revenant – is tipped to play Jafar, the Royal Vizier of an Arabian Sultan who wants to get his hands on the magic lamp in order to take power. But the lamp, which grants three wishes to its finder, is hidden in a cave that can only be entered by those pure of heart.
In the animated feature, Jafar was voiced by actor Jonathan Freeman.
Meanwhile, Will Smith is already on board to play the Genie in the remake. That character was voiced by funnyman Robin Williams in the original. Aladdin would see the Smith and Hardy star side by side for the first time, after their initial collaboration on Suicide Squad fell through. Hardy was originally set to play Rick Flag in the DC Comics movie, but the role eventually went to Joel Kinnaman (The Killing, House Of Cards).
Ritchie and Disney still have to find actors to play the movie’s lead roles, Aladdin and Jasmine. Media reports suggest that the filmmakers will focus on Middle Eastern actors, reflecting the setting of the studio’s 31st animated classic, released in 1992. The movie – which landed during Disney’s second golden age – was a huge hit, grossing over US$500mil at the global box office. – AFP Relaxnews
