Just after we were granted the first full length trailer for Disney’s live-action Aladdin, here’s another long overdue detail – it looks like Doom Patrol star Alan Tudyk will be playing the hilarious parrot on Jafar’s shoulder, Iago. The actor has voiced characters apt with offering comedic relief in many recent Disney movies, such as Heihei in Moana and K-2SO the droid in Rogue One.
Alan Tudyk was also King Candy in Wreck-It Ralph, Knowsmore in Ralph Breaks the Internet, the Duke of Weselton in Frozen and Duke Weaselton in Zootopia. That must be some sort of Disney record?! Insert the line “I think I’m gonna have a heart attack and die from not surprise!” from the original Iago on this casting news from The Hollywood Reporter.
The latest addition to Aladdin’s cast is an exciting one. The actor has been used again and again by Disney for a reason, as he’s an expert character voice actor and will undoubtedly bring some new memorable moments to the live-action movie, just as he has to his other Disney supporting characters.
Tudyk will follow Gilbert Gottfried, who voiced the role in the 1992 animated film, which is still among the comedian’s most iconic roles to date. While there has been some brief sightings of Iago’s presence in a few sneak peaks for the live-action Aladdin, we have yet to hear the parrot talk, and Alan Tudyk being on board is evidence the character will.
Disney might have decided to muzzle up the character for a more realistic take on the world surrounding the animated Aladdin, but following the latest look of the upcoming release, it looks to be heavily recreating the beloved ‘90s flick. What would a remake like this be without the sassy back and forth between Iago and Jafar?
Jafar in this Aladdin will be played by Marwan Kenzari, alongside Will Smith’s Genie, Mena Massoud’s Aladdin, Naomi Scott’s Jasmine, Navid Negahban’s Sultan and Nasim Pedrad in a new role as Jasmine’s handmaid/friend. The movie will be a musical as the classic was and feature two new songs from La La Land and Greatest Showman songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
Before the latest look at Aladdin, a previous teaser trailer went viral when a disturbing look at the blue genie went viral last month. Disney’s full length trailer shows a much more finished look at Will Smith’s Genie that may ease fans, along with showing a closer look at the movie’s song and dance numbers as well.
Alan Tudyk’s casting perhaps shows the film is using one of its tried and true animated voices to give the film a feel closer to the original, though we have yet to see the actor’s take on the character. Aladdin comes to theaters on May 24, following another Disney live-action take on Dumbo coming on March 29.
