Live-Action ‘Aladdin’ Adds ‘Prison Break’ Star Numan Acar
Things are moving along quite nicely for Disney’s live-action redo of Aladdin, and the casting momentum of recent weeks continues today with yet another new addition: Numan Acar, best known for recurring roles on Homeland and FOX’s Prison Break revival, has joined the ensemble for Guy Ritchie’s upcoming reimagining of the 1992 animated classic.
Per Deadline, Acar has been cast in the role of Hakim — in the 1992 film, he was the head of the palace guards and served as top henchman to Jafar. The Disney villain will be played by Marwan Kenzari, who recently appeared opposite Tom Cruise in The Mummy. Aladdin also stars Mena Massoud as the eponymous hero and Naomi Scott (Power Rangers) as his love interest, Jasmine. Will Smith is portraying Genie, the role made iconic by Robin Williams in the original animated film. Former SNL star Nasim Pedrad was also recently cast as a new character created specifically for the live-action film; she’ll play Mara, Jasmine’s handmaiden and confidant.
Guy Ritchie is directing Aladdin from a script by John August (Big Fish). Despite recent casting struggles, Disney is moving full-steam ahead with the project, which is one of a growing number of live-action remakes the studio currently has in development, including Tim Burton’s Dumbo and Jon Favreau’s The Lion King.