Original-Cin video Q&A: Bonnie Laufer talks to Aladdin's Canadian Aladdin, about Will Smith and Guy Ritchie

By Bonnie Laufer

Cairo born, Toronto (Markham) raised actor Mena Massoud has had quite a few extraordinary years. 

The  talented actor who can also sing and dance proves that he’s not a flash in the pan as the lead in Disney’s new live action musical, Aladdin. 

An extremely humble and  generally nice guy,  Massoud won the role over 10,000 hopefuls to play the Aladdin.

Mena Massoud as Aladdin and Will Smith as the Genie in Disney’s live-action Aladdin.

The film is an updated live action musical (filled with all the songs we know and love) from the hit animated 1992 version, which featured  Scott Weinger’s voice of Aladdin and the unforgettable Robin Williams as the Genie. 

This film is directed by Guy Ritchie (yes, you read that right) and the Genie is played by Will Smith. The story follows Aladdin, an Arabian street urchin, who finds a magic lamp containing a genie. In order to hide the lamp from the evil Jafar, he disguises himself as a wealthy prince, and tries to impress the Sultan and his daughter, Princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott).

Mena worked hard to fill Aladdin’s shoes.  The actor spent months learning difficult choreography,  getting used to complicated visual FX and perfecting his singing voice. 

Recently, Massoud was seen in the Prime VIdeo series Jack Ryan opposite John Krasinski. Up next we’ll see him alongside Damian Lewis  who plays Toronto Mayor Rob Ford in the film, Run This Town.

Our Bonnie Laufer had the opportunity to chat with Mena Massoud during a promotional stop in Toronto about working on the film with Guy Ritchie and Will Smith.

Check out the video interview here.