Well, this is awkward. Mere days after Aladdin star Mena Massoud revealed he's no had an audition since the billion-dollar hit, word arrives that Disney is developing a spin-off from the movie... For someone else. That someone is Billy Magnussen, who appeared in just a handful of scenes in the film.
Magnussen's Prince Anders was a haughty, dim royal suitor looking to win the hand of Naomi Scott's Princess Jasmine in Guy Ritchie's film. The Mouse House believes he was a hit with audience despite limited screen time, and Magnussen approached the company with an idea for the spin-off.
Producers Dan Lin and Jonathan Erlich are back for this one, and they have Jordan Dunn and Michael Kvamme ready to work on a script for the film, which Disney would debut on its Disney+ streaming service. This is separate from the Aladdin sequel that the company has in development.
It's just another blow for Massoud, who, while out promoting a new series he appears in (and was cast in before Aladdin), expressed his frustration that movie studios have largely ignored him despite his role in the huge live-action hit. "I’m kind of tired of staying quiet about it," he said. "I want people to know that it’s not always dandelions and roses when you’re doing something like Aladdin. '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." Someone hire this man!