【ebony】

Did you rub your magic lamp today and ebonywish for some Aladdincasting news? Because if so, we've got it right here.

Mashablehas confirmed that Marwan Kenzari is in talks to play Jafar in Disney's live-action Aladdin. In addition, Saturday Night Livealum Nasim Pedrad has signed on in a brand-new role created just for the remake.

Kenzari and Pedrad will star alongside Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott as Aladdin and Jasmine. Will Smith will portray the Genie. Guy Ritchie is directing.

Kenzari is a Dutch actor who's recently started making inroads into Hollywood. He's just coming off of The Mummyand will co-star this fall in Kenneth Branagh's star-studded remake of Murder on the Orient Express. Jafar promises to be his biggest role yet in the U.S.

Pedrad, who's recently been seen on the shows People of Earthand New Girl, is cast as Mara, Jasmine's friend and handmaiden who serves as the film's comic relief. (I'm not sure why this film needs morecomic relief when it's got all the powers of Will Smith's Genie at its disposal already, but I like Pedrad so I look forward to finding out.)

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