Twitter Reacts To Disney Casting Non-Arab Actress Naomi Scott As Princess Jasmine In ‘Aladdin’ Movie

Disney is facing an intense backlash from “Aladdin” fans for casting a non-Arab actress for the role of Princess Jasmine.

After around 2,000 actresses auditioned for the role of Jasmine in the live action remake of “Aladdin,” Disney finally announced on Sunday at the D23 Expo that British-Indian actress Naomi Scott will be Aladdin’s love interest, E! News reported. Unfortunately, many were not supportive of Disney’s choice.

READ: Disney announced the cast for its “Aladdin” live-action reboot

“Aladdin” is set in the fictional Middle Eastern kingdom of Agrabah, which is ruled by Jasmine’s father. Jasmine was the first non-white and non-European princess introduced in the Disney films. Following the announcement, many were disappointed that an Indian actress was selected to play the character, mainly because it seemed to them that Disney was implying that the two heritages were the same and interchangeable, Independent reported. Although the “Power Rangers” actress is not white, her Indian descent does not make her an Arab either.

“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 commented, as quoted by Independent. “If I keep reading Naomi Scott was the perfect choice because ‘no Arab women can sing/act like her’ I’m going to drop a thread on those who can do better,” another one said.

A number of fans took to Twitter and ranted about the casting online. “Naomi Scott should’ve been Batgirl so Jasmine could be played by a middle eastern woman [I’m] so TIRED of Hollywood not knowing how to cast [people of color],” user Gabi wrote.

“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 said.

“I love Naomi Scott, but I don’t love the ‘brown [people] are interchangeable’ idea that Hollywood believes in so it’s a no from me lmao,” social media user T’CHALLA shared. See more reactions below:

Aside from Scott, Mena Massoud and Will Smith are set to star in the film as Aladdin and Genie.

According to Fortune, the cast of their live-action adaptations is a key strategy for Disney. Emma Watson’s “Beauty and the Beast” was a huge success. In fact, it broke records when it earned $170 million during its premiere and has since raked in $1.3 billion worldwide.

What’s your take on Disney’s casting choice for the “Aladdin” live action movie? Share your thoughts below.