Billy Magnussen Cast in Aladdin Reboot – But Does It REALLY Need an “Unnecessary White Guy”?

It was just announced today that yummy Billy Magnussen is joining Disney’s live-action Aladdin as Prince Anders, a new role created just for the movie musical. And while I’m probably Billy’s biggest cheerleader (he was absolutely brilliant in Ingrid Goes West – and I’ve been a fan of his since he was Casey on As the World Turns) – internet reaction has been – how shall we say? – less than kind.

A sampling from the ONTD comment section:

Of course they’d fucking put in a white person in this movie. Get ready for some fucking white people in Mulan too.

Oh. They just needed to white it up a little huh Disney.

Thank you bland generic white guy whose name I can’t be bothered to scroll up to copy and paste for bringing some much needed star power and name recognition to this film.

thank goodness, now white people know the movie is for them too

Oh FFS

This mess

lol, he is the same actor who is going to portray the white guy in the Bruce Lee biopic, so he is always going to be the unnecessary white guy?

This is really stupid. They had trouble finding Middle Eastern or Indian actors for the roles of Aladdin and Jasmine, but they can just invent a white character out of thin air for funsies? Fuck that.

White people have an amazing way of trying to insert themselves where they’re not necessary.

Of course there can’t be a movie without a white person. Of course

Fucking no. why. no.

Is he going to colonize Agrabah?

Exclusive: @Disney‘s live-action #Aladdin casts @BillyMagnussen as a new character https://t.co/kpOdK2u8nA pic.twitter.com/3eyVe4NfVw

— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 5, 2017

More on Aladdin – and Billy’s role – from THR:

The Guy Ritchie-directed movie based on the 1992 animated pic will star relative newcomer Mena Massoud as the street rat turned prince. Power Rangers actress Naomi Scott will play Princess Jasmine, with Marwan Kenzari (Murder on the Orient Express) portraying the villain Jafar and Will Smith playing Genie.

Magnussen will take on the new role created for the movie musical, with all other character details remaining buried in the Cave of Wonders. He joins Saturday Night Live alum Nasim Pedrad, who is set to play the original character Mara, a handmaiden and friend to Jasmine.

John August (Big Fish, Corpse Bride) penned the script. Dan Lin, who worked with Ritchie on Sherlock Holmes, is producing through his Lin Pictures banner.

Magnussen has some experience playing a Disney prince. The Tony nominee appeared in Rob Marshall’s Into the Woods as Rapunzel’s prince, performing the duet “Agony” with Chris Pine.

(Top pic: Pacific Coast News)

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