Disney criticised for Jasmine casting in new Aladdin

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Naomi ScottImage source, Getty Images

Disney has been criticised by fans for casting a non-Arab actor in the new Aladdin film.

The company has announced Naomi Scott as Jasmine in the live action remake.

Naomi, who is of British and Indian heritage, will star alongside Mena Massoud as Aladdin, and Will Smith as Genie.

Some social media users argue the part should have gone to an actor of Arab heritage instead.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Will Smith has been cast as Genie in the remake

Although Aladdin is set in a fictional country called Agrabah, fans generally assume it is meant to represent part of the Middle East.

Naomi's co-star Mena Massoud is of Egyptian background, although many fans on social media wanted it to go to Avan Jogia, who is not of Arab heritage.

Mena Massoud posted this photo of himself on Instagram., external

Some fans argue that casting Naomi as the film's princess suggests Disney thinks women of Indian and Middle Eastern heritage look the same.

Yasmin tweeted she's sick of reading "no Arab woman can sing/act" like Scott., external

Lils wrote "PoC (people of colour) are not interchangeable"., external

Twitter user T'Challa echoed her thoughts. , external

Stacie said she's "very disappointed"., external

But others are happy with the casting.

Delia tweeted "Will Smith ain't blue", referring to the actor who is playing Genie., external

Marle thinks it's "perfect" casting., external

Some fans had speculated that Jade Thirlwall from Little Mix would be cast as Jasmine in the live action remake of the 1992 animation.

She is of Egyptian and Yemeni descent.

Yesterday, the singer posted "over it" on her Instagram account, which some fans have interpreted as a dig at the casting decision.

The Instagram post shows Jade smiling at the camera., external

Guy Ritchie has been lined up to direct the film.

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