Aladdin Live Action Remake Cast Jasmine Indian Actress

Photo: Moviestore Collection/REX/Shutterstock.

Last week, The Hollywood Reporter shared the news that Disney and director Guy Ritchie were having trouble casting the leads for the studio's live-action Aladdin remake. Now, Disney has cast its lead roles — and a number of fans aren't happy with the choices.

The live-action Aladdin will star Mena Massoud as Aladdin, Will Smith as Genie, and Naomi Scott as Jasmine. Fans have taken issue Scott's casting in particular — the actress is British and Indian. (Massoud is "of Egyptian descent," according to Fortune.)

Fans are criticising Disney on Twitter, reminding the studio that people of colour aren't interchangeable. Plenty of people are upset that the studio didn't cast a Middle Eastern actress to play Princess Jasmine. (Yes, Agrabah isn't a real city, but fans believe the original cartoon takes place in the Middle East.)

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"People have a right to be upset about Naomi Scott being cast. They're upset that their representation was taken away, and rightly so," one Twitter handle (that appears to be a Lily James fan account) posted. "Being 1/4 Indian doesn't equate to being Middle Eastern. In no way, shape, or form. PoC are not interchangeable," the Twitter user added in a second tweet.

People have a right to be upset about Naomi Scott being cast. They're upset that their representation was taken away, and rightly so.
— Lils. (@LiIyJames) July 16, 2017

Being 1/4 Indian doesn't equate to being Middle Eastern. In no way, shape, or form. PoC are not interchangeable.
— Lils. (@LiIyJames) July 16, 2017

Naomi Scott could've rejected or not audition for the role. pic.twitter.com/MEr9t1nZBW
— Amber. (@amberherd) July 16, 2017

I don't understand why Disney was making a big deal out of wanting the casting for Aladdin to be perfect if they were gonna cast Naomi Scott
— Claire Underwood (@fakekarlie) July 16, 2017

"I love naomi scott but i don't love the "brown ppl are interchangeable" idea that hollywood believes in so it's a no from me lmao," another person tweeted.

i love naomi scott but i don't love the "brown ppl are interchangeable" idea that hollywood believes in so it's a no from me lmao
— T'CHALLA ??✨ (@dirzacksnyder) July 15, 2017

jasmine is arab. not half-white/indian. just in case y'all forgot btw. https://t.co/QBXgH5jXP8
— Hava (@caprcgers) July 15, 2017

This is Naomi Scott. She is Indian, and white.

This is Jasmine, she is middle eastern. And not white. #Aladdin pic.twitter.com/MTvfQvyaMt
— Hamza Mussé (@HamzaMusse) July 15, 2017

they cast naomi scott to play jasmine...... but fam shes indian, not middle eastern pic.twitter.com/Z7CcLyQdff
— belinda (@pcnisparker) July 15, 2017

HOWS THE OPENING SONG LITERALLY SAY "ARABIAN NIGHTS" AND YALL GONNA CAST AN INDIAN ACTRESS FOR JASMINE. IT DOESNT MAKE SENSE @Disney
— raya (@bizoephillips) July 15, 2017

Not only is Jasmine not Indian (which I can look past considering cultural inspiration) but a half-white actress? I smell colorism.
— Jumah ?? (@WokeMutant) July 15, 2017

"All these Arab actresses on the planet and they cast half-white, half-Indian Naomi Scott as Jasmine. Indian isn't middle-eastern, Hollywood," wrote another Twitter user.

All these Arab actresses on the planet and they cast half-white, half-Indian Naomi Scott as Jasmine. Indian isn't middle-eastern, Hollywood.
— Sarah Khatami (@SarahKhatami) July 15, 2017

Jasmine is going to be played by Naomi Scott who's half white and half indian. Again: WHEN WILL MIDDLE EASTERNERS BE REPRESENTED??
— R. (@everyonesrose) July 15, 2017

If i keep reading Naomi Scott was the perfect choice bc "no Arab women can sing/act like her" imma drop a thread on those who can do BETTER
— yasmin (@zarasglory) July 16, 2017

Still, as The Huffington Post noted, some people have defended the casting, pointing out that the original Aladdin cartoon seemed to include South Asian cultural influences as well as Middle Eastern ones. But that argument hasn't sat well with most fans.

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