▲Mena Massoud steps in as the new Aladdin. Born in Cairo, Egypt and raised in Canada, Massoud is the exciting new star for a new generation.

▲Scott Weinger originally played Aladdin. To get the part, he sent in homemade audition tapes with his mother playing Genie.

▲Of course, Robin Williams was the star of 'Aladdin.' His appearance in the film made a big change in Hollywood, with more celebrities starring in animated films.

▲Who else to begin with but Aladdin? He's a poverty-stricken but good-hearted thief, who stumbles into trouble after discovering a magical lamp.

▲Genie is a fan favorite, and arguably one of Disney's best characters ever. In the original film, animators based Genie's movements on Robin Williams' stand-up routines.

▲'Aladdin,' another childhood classic has been reimagined as a real-life Hollywood blockbuster. Swapping out cartoons for an all-star cast, the new film will feature new actors playing familiar roles. But which version do you prefer? Click through the gallery to compare the cast, and find out some interesting trivia along the way.

▲Linda Larkin was the original Jasmine. She had to work hard to lower her high-pitched voice, while Lea Salonga provided the singing voice.

▲Will Smith has big shoes to fill, but who better to take on the role than this explosive personality? He performs as a human, and in CGI blue genie form.

▲Jasmine is the beautiful Disney princess of Agrabah. Bored with her royal lifestyle, she fortunately crosses paths with Aladdin.

▲Playing Princess Jasmine this time around is Naomi Scott, a British actress who starred in 'Power Rangers,' and will star in 'Charlie's Angels.'

▲Meet Marwan Kenzari, the new Jafar. The new film will actually tell Jafar's backstory, giving more depth to the cunning villain.

▲Which actor originally played Jafar? It was Jonathan Freeman, who originally used an irritated voice, before settling on a calm villainous voice.

▲The actor has returned to voice Abu in the new film. He also voiced Jasmine's tiger, Rajah, as well as the mysterious Cave of Wonders.

▲Abu was voiced by Frank Welker, a voice actor with decades of incredible experience.

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The evil Jafar is the antagonist of 'Aladdin.' The power-hungry adviser becomes the enemy of our hero, after working with him to find that mysterious lamp.

▲Jafar has his own pet friend too, a furious, short-tempered parrot named Iago. He would go on to appear in the film's two sequels.

▲Ruling Agrabah is the Sultan, a slightly gullible but warm-hearted leader, and father of Princess Jasmine.

▲The character was originally voiced by Gilbert Gottfried, who was chosen after giving a great performance in 'Beverly Hills Cop II.'

▲Abu is Aladdin's pet monkey, who loves to steal and has a variety of sound effects that quickly let you know what he's feeling.

▲Alan Tudyk is the new voice of Iago. It's the first time Iago has been voiced by a new actor.

▲The Sultan was originally voiced by Douglas Seale, a revered actor and theater director.

▲Ron Clements was one of two directors on the original 'Aladdin.' He decided to "put a spin" on the original story, working with John Musker.

▲Musker and Clements are a strong collaborative duo. They have directed movies like 'The Little Mermaid,' 'Hercules,' and 'Moana.'

▲Navid Negahban has stepped in as the new Sultan. It's a change of pace for the actor, who also played the supervillain Shadow King in 'Legion.'

▲Stepping in to direct the new 'Aladdin' is Guy Ritchie, a prolific filmmaker from the UK.

▲John Musker was the co-director of the original 'Aladdin.' He also played around with many story elements, "In early screenings, we played with him being a little bit younger, and he had a mother in the story," he said.

▲In addition to his marriage with Madonna, Guy Ritchie is famed for films like 'Snatch,' 'Sherlock Holmes,' and 'King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.'

▲Meanwhile, Billy Magnussen has been cast as Prince Anders, a suitor and potential other-half for Jasmine. He also didn't appear in the original film.

▲The new 'Aladdin' film has also introduced many new characters like Dalia, a close confidante of Jasmine played by Nasim Pedrad.

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Perhaps the most important in 'Aladdin' is Alan Menken. He wrote and composed the music in both 'Aladdin' films, providing us with hits like 'Prince Ali' and 'A Whole New World.'

Why not also read about 'The Lion King' cast: then and now?

▲Numan Acar is a Turkish-born German actor, who will play Hakim, the right-hand man and leader of the palace guards.

Will Smith or Williams? The 'Aladdin' cast then and now

Compare the 'Aladdin' cast: then and now

24/05/19 por StarsInsider

MOVIES Disney

'Aladdin,' another childhood classic has been reimagined as a real-life Hollywood blockbuster. Swapping out cartoons for an all-star cast, the new film will feature new actors playing familiar roles. But which version do you prefer? Click through the gallery to compare the cast, and find out some interesting trivia along the way.