‘Aladdin’ Is Latest Disney Classic to Get Horror Movie Treatment

Aladdin is getting the horror treatment with a “dark, supernatural reimagining.”

The timeless tale that became a beloved animated musical by Disney in 1992 and later received a live-action remake in 2019 has just been given a chilling reinterpretation suitable for modern families.

The Monkey’s Paw” goes like this: “A contemporary London resident named Aladdin finds himself in possession of an antique monkey paw said to grant wishes. However, he soon learns that every wish granted comes with a heavy, soul-wrenching cost.

Surrounded by people succumbing to this malevolent affliction, he faces an ominous growth of wickedness – and the sinister entity that thrives on each desire expressed.”

Or, in a more conversational tone:

“With those near him getting hit by its curse, he’s up against an increasing darkness – and the malicious power that feeds off every wish people make.

The upcoming film, produced by Empire Studios, Every Entertainment, and 8th Law Pictures, will begin shooting next month in the United Kingdom.

As a devoted cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that the talented cast for our upcoming production includes Nick Sagar, who stole the show as Teresa Mendoza in Queen of the South, Ricky Norwood, known for his captivating performances on EastEnders, and Montana Manning, whose spellbinding portrayal in Tell Me Everything left audiences yearning for more.

In addition to starring in “Terrifier 3”, actor Bradley Stryker will also be involved with the project as its director. The movie’s script was penned by Charley McDougall.

McDougall expressed in a statement: “We’ve always aimed to delve into horror from a personal perspective – not just the frightening moments, but also the emotional toll of desires. This narrative has been lingering with us for some time now, and we believe it’s ready to be unleashed. The most effective horror stories linger with you even after the end credits. That’s what this story achieves.

This work is powerfully intense, evoking strong emotions and an overwhelming sense of fear where it should be. It’s not simply about creating another horror movie; we are crafting a unique universe centered around a legendary idea. The symbolism, lore, and characters – they’re all integral components of this intricate design.

Simultaneously, Stryker emphasized that the movie would offer a mix of “thrilling and enjoyable” elements, promising an exciting adventure for the viewers.

Previously, characters linked to Disney have experienced horror adaptations, as seen in productions like “Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey” and “Mickey’s Mouse Trap”.

2024 saw the announcement of it at the year’s start, following the entry of “Steamboat Willie,” Disney’s first well-known mouse character, into the public domain.

In an on-demand release within the U.S., the horror movie centered around a murderer donning a mouse mask who went after students at a nearby arcade, specifically those attending college.

25 Actors Who Turned Down Huge Movie Roles

Halle Berry – Speed’s Annie

Halle Berry candidly admitted in 2019 that she regrettably declined the opportunity to play the heroic bus passenger-turned-driver, Annie, in the movie “Speed”. This role ultimately went to Sandra Bullock, who was then a relatively unknown actress with only a few roles. “Speed” turned out to be a massive success and propelled Bullock to stardom instantly. Berry defended her decision by stating that in the script of “Speed” she read, “the bus didn’t even leave the parking lot”, which certainly sounds like a less thrilling film.

Emily Blunt – Black Widow

Emily Blunt, with her captivating charm, knack for light-hearted humor, and background in action films, appears to be an ideal fit for Marvel productions. It’s actually quite astonishing that she hasn’t been cast in a Marvel film thus far, but this isn’t due to lack of chances. Her initial opportunity came with Iron Man 2, when she was presented the role of Black Widow. However, Blunt had to decline because she was already bound by contractual obligations to star in Gulliver’s Travels at the same time. As Blunt expressed to Howard Stern, this was a somewhat disappointing turn of events for her. Scarlett Johansson eventually took on the role of Natasha Romanoff, and has portrayed the Avenger in eight Marvel movies so far.

Jessica Chastain – Maya Hansen

Following the success of “The Tree of Life” and “Zero Dark Thirty”, numerous studios in Hollywood approached Jessica Chastain, even Marvel Studios, for her role as Maya Hansen, the central scientist in “Iron Man 3”. However, despite her interest, she declined the offer due to a busy schedule. She explained on Facebook that her calendar was full and she couldn’t accommodate anything more. She also mentioned that the media had announced her role prematurely before the deal was finalized. She ended by expressing hope for a future collaboration with Marvel. This eventually happened, although it turned out to be Fox’s “Dark Phoenix”, where she played Vuk. Rebecca Hall, who portrayed Maya Hansen, delivered a commendable performance in the role.

Russell Crowe – Wolverine

Prior to Hugh Jackman’s casting, Russell Crowe was initially considered for the role of Logan in Fox’s X-Men series. At that time, Crowe was one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood. He declined the offer because he had recently finished filming Gladiator where his character sported a wolf at the center of his armor and had a wolf as a companion. This aspect was significant to him, as he didn’t want to be associated with “wolfy” roles like ‘Mr. Wolf.’ Instead, Crowe recommended Jackman for the part. Although Jackman wasn’t initially chosen (the studio opted for Dougray Scott who later dropped out due to scheduling conflicts with Mission: Impossible II), he eventually landed the role that catapulted him to stardom. Years later, Crowe made his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut as Zeus in Thor: Love and Thunder. To this day, Hugh Jackman remains synonymous with Wolverine.

Matt Damon – Avatar’s Jake Sully

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but reflect on the potential fortune lost by Matt Damon. When James Cameron was assembling his cast for the groundbreaking film, Avatar, he extended an offer to Damon to play Jake Sully, sweetening the deal with a 10% share of the movie’s backend. Alas, Damon was preoccupied with the Jason Bourne series at that time and had to turn down the role – a decision that, in hindsight, may have cost him an astonishing $250 million. That’s enough money to buy quite a bit of unobtanium!

Benicio Del Toro – Darth Maul

In the movie “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,” Benicio Del Toro was initially given the chance to portray Darth Maul. However, as the part started taking shape during pre-production, and George Lucas reduced his lines significantly so that he could embody a more menacing, silent character with exceptional fighting abilities, Del Toro opted to withdraw from the project. In the end, it was Ray Park who brought the character to life to great praise.

Leonardo DiCaprio – Boogie Nights’ Dirk Diggler

In 2008, GQ inquired about the roles Leonardo DiCaprio declined, to which he responded that he regretted passing on Paul Thomas Anderson’s film “Boogie Nights.” The role was Dirk Diggler, a porn star part that kick-started Mark Wahlberg’s career as a major Hollywood actor. Unfortunately, DiCaprio had to choose between projects at the time and opted for a small art-house film titled “Titanic” instead. Although DiCaprio didn’t express regret about his decision, he acknowledged both films were excellent, stating, “I think they’re both great, and I wish I could have done them both.

Harrison Ford – Jurassic Park’s Alan Grant

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking that Alan Grant from Jurassic Park, portrayed by Sam Neill, had a bit of an Indiana Jones feel to him with his worn work shirts and hats, then you were on the right track. Initially, Steven Spielberg considered Harrison Ford, who played Indiana Jones, for the role of the courageous paleontologist. However, Ford declined the offer after reading the script. Instead, Neill joined the project weeks before filming began, ultimately landing one of the most iconic roles in his career.

Jon Hamm – Green Lantern

In the realm of acting, no actor has ever bared such a striking resemblance to the Green Lantern comic book character Hal Jordan as Jon Hamm from Mad Men. Given this likeness, it’s not surprising that Warner Bros. sought Hamm for the role. However, Hamm declined the offer, stating in an interview later on, “They pursued me quite intensely, but I responded with a casual ‘meh,’ because it wasn’t something I was keen on doing.” Hamm confessed he isn’t particularly fond of superhero movies, expressing that they aren’t the kind he enjoys watching. Interestingly enough, Hamm has no qualms about them in television format, as evidenced by his voice acting roles in various comic-book shows such as Invincible and M.O.D.O.K., where he even played Tony Stark in several episodes.

Josh Hartnett – Superman AND Batman

In the early 2000s, Josh Hartnett, a rising star in Hollywood, was seriously considered for the role of Superman in “Superman Returns”. Interestingly, he was presented with a three-film contract worth an estimated $100 million to play this iconic character, but he declined the offer. Remarkably, Hartnett had also turned down the chance to portray both members of the World’s Finest team. He was also in contention for the role of young Bruce Wayne in Christopher Nolan’s “Batman Begins”. Regretting his decision later, Hartnett admitted that turning down director Christopher Nolan was a mistake. In an interview with Playboy, he confessed, “I’ve definitely said no to some roles I shouldn’t have.” He declined because he was exhausted and preferred spending more time with his loved ones, which is not always appreciated in the entertainment industry.

Jim Henson – Yoda

When George Lucas decided to make the wizened Jedi master Yoda a puppet, he initially wanted Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets and Kermit the Frog’s puppeteer, to bring the character to life. However, Henson was occupied with his own projects at the moment, and suggested that Lucas collaborate with Frank Oz, a longtime Muppets partner and performer for characters like Fozzy, Miss Piggy, and Animal instead. Following Henson’s recommendation, Lucas made the wise choice, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Hugh Jackman – James Bond

The quest to find the ideal actor to portray the young James Bond in the prequel ‘Casino Royale’ traversed numerous options, eventually leading to Daniel Craig, who became one of the greatest 007s ever. However, prior to Craig landing the role, producers initially extended it to Hugh Jackman, who was just starting out as Wolverine in the X-Men series. Jackman declined the offer, presumably due to having one franchise already and fearing he would miss out on smaller projects that might come his way. Yet, if you’re interested, Amazon is currently searching for a new James Bond, Hugh. Perhaps it’s worth giving them a call to see if they’re still considering you.

Heath Ledger – Batman

Initially, Christopher Nolan had envisioned Heath Ledger as Batman for his film “Batman Begins,” offering him the role of young Bruce Wayne. However, Ledger declined the offer, stating he wouldn’t be part of a superhero movie. Later, after seeing how unique and distinct “Batman Begins” was compared to other DC films of that era, Ledger agreed to play the Joker in “The Dark Knight,” which ultimately earned him tremendous recognition.

Madonna – Catwoman

In the early ’90s, as Madonna’s film career was soaring, Tim Burton considered casting her as Catwoman in Batman Returns. The idea of Madonna playing this role seemed almost too perfect, but she declined. Years later, Madonna admitted to Jimmy Fallon that turning down Catwoman was a regret, stating it would have been “pretty fierce.” Eventually, Michelle Pfeiffer stepped into the role and truly embodied the ferocity it required.

Matthew McConaughey – Ego

As a movie critic, I found myself intrigued by Marvel’s decision to cast Star-Lord’s father in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.” Given the need for a renowned actor who could convincingly be Chris Pratt’s parent, they zeroed in on Matthew McConaughey. Despite a mere decade gap between their birth years, age was hardly a concern when dealing with immortal celestial beings.

However, McConaughey eventually opted out of the role, citing a tough choice between “Guardians” and “The Dark Tower.” In his words, Marvel’s approach seemed more about capitalizing on the success of “Guardians,” creating a vibrant part for another high-profile actor, rather than a genuine desire or vision for his character, Ego.

Eddie Murphy – Who Framed Roger Rabbit’s Eddie Valiant

In today’s context, “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” is recognized as a pioneering amalgamation of live-action and animation. At the time, however, the idea of creating a movie where animated characters could convincingly interact with real actors for an entire 100-minute duration would have been considered a significant risk. This was the sentiment shared by Eddie Murphy when he declined the opportunity to portray the main human character, Eddie Valiant. As he put it on “The Tonight Show,” “Animation and humans? That sounds like nonsense to me!” However, upon the movie’s release and its subsequent success, Murphy recognized his error. “Every time I watch it,” he told Jimmy Fallon, “I feel like a fool.”

Initially, merging live-action with animation in “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” was a daring idea that even Eddie Murphy, initially turned down the offer to play the human lead. But when the movie became a huge hit, he realized his mistake and felt foolish for doubting it.

Al Pacino – Han Solo

It’s tough to visualize anyone other than Harrison Ford as Han Solo, a fact that Alden Ehrenreich can attest to. However, Ford was not initially the top pick for the role. At one stage, George Lucas attempted to cast Al Pacino, who was already well-known from “The Godfather,” as the charismatic smuggler. Pacino declined Lucas’ offer because he didn’t comprehend the script. If Pacino had accepted and Ford hadn’t, Hollywood might have a very different appearance today.

Joaquin Phoenix – Doctor Strange

The hunt for Marvel’s Sorcerer Supreme was a protracted process, with contenders such as Ethan Hawke, Oscar Isaac, and Keanu Reeves being considered at different stages. Joaquin Phoenix came remarkably close to securing the role, reportedly engaging in discussions in June 2014 to portray Doctor Strange under director Scott Derrickson’s guidance. However, by October, the deal had fallen through, and eventually Benedict Cumberbatch took on the mantle of Marvel’s magical character. Phoenix later commented, “It seems everyone was content with how things panned out; all parties were pleased.” Interestingly, Phoenix subsequently played the Joker for Warner Bros, earning an Academy Award for his performance. Indeed, all parties were content, at least until the Joker sequel emerged.

Julia Roberts – Sleepless in Seattle’s Annie

In the famous movie “Sleepless in Seattle,” Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan are known for their long-distance love story, even by those who haven’t seen it. However, the film may have been significantly altered if Julia Roberts, another beloved rom-com actress, had accepted the role of the female lead. Years after the movie’s release, Roberts expressed satisfaction with her decision not to star in it, stating that she declined because the story seemed too similar to her previous role in “Pretty Woman,” which she had played a few years prior.

Kurt Russell – Luke Skywalker

A multitude of aspiring actors tried out for the iconic role in “Star Wars” during the 1970s, including Kurt Russell, who was one of the front-runners for the part of Luke Skywalker, the intergalactic farmboy. However, as the casting process took its time, Russell found himself with other opportunities to consider. Ultimately, he presented George Lucas with an ultimatum: Either offer him the role, or he would move on to do something else. Since Lucas couldn’t provide a firm answer at that time, according to Russell’s subsequent interviews, he chose to take on a Western project instead, leaving one less contender for Lucas to ponder. One can only speculate how many thank-you gifts like fruit baskets Mark Hamill may have sent Kurt Russell over the years for missing out on the role of Luke Skywalker.

Will Smith – Neo

Prior to Keanu Reeves embodying the epitome of cyberpunk charisma, the Wachowskis initially sought Will Smith for the role of Neo, the hacker protagonist in ‘The Matrix’. Smith attended their pitch session but opted to star in ‘Wild Wild West’ instead. Reflecting on this decision later, Smith admitted that at the time, the Wachowskis had only directed one film, which gave him some reservations. (He further noted, “As it transpired, they were geniuses, but there is a thin line between genius and what I encountered during our meeting.”)

John Travolta – Forrest Gump

When John Travolta agreed to star in “Pulp Fiction”, he declined another film, Robert Zemeckis’ “Forrest Gump”, both of which were scheduled to release around the same time. Both films were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, with “Forrest Gump” ultimately winning and Tom Hanks playing the lead role. However, Travolta’s portrayal of mobster Vincent Vega in “Pulp Fiction” proved beneficial as it rejuvenated his career. When asked later if he had any regrets about his decision, he said he did not. If you were given a choice between being in “Pulp Fiction” or “Forrest Gump”, which would you pick?

Paul Walker – Superman

Due to his popularity from “The Fast and the Furious,” Paul Walker was a highly sought-after young actor when casting started for “Superman Returns.” He even had the chance to play the new Superman, but after discussing it with Richard Donner, who directed Christopher Reeve’s “Superman” and worked with Walker on the film “Timeline,” Walker decided against it. In a conversation with ComingSoon.net, Walker shared that he asked Donner if he thought it was necessary or appropriate for him to take the role. Donner advised him not to do it merely for financial gain, but only if he truly wanted to do it. Walker was concerned about being remembered solely as Superman, and Donner’s words essentially sealed the deal—this is why Paul Walker did not star in “Superman Returns.

Denzel Washington – Michael Clayton

In 2012, when asked about career regrets by GQ, Denzel Washington expressed that the material in “Michael Clayton,” though excellent, made him apprehensive as it was a first-time director’s project. The role eventually went to George Clooney, who turned it into one of his iconic performances as an actor. It didn’t take long for Washington to acknowledge his error. In his own words to GQ, “I was mistaken. It happens.

Bruce Willis – Ghost’s Sam

Bruce Willis initially doubted the success of the script for “Ghost,” a movie about a deceased man trying to reconnect with his wife, believing it wouldn’t work. However, he was proven wrong as “Ghost” turned out to be the highest-grossing film in 1990 and later the most rented VHS title of 1991. Reflecting on his decision to turn down the role of the central ghost, Willis referred to himself as a “knucklehead.” He learned from this experience and didn’t repeat the mistake when given the opportunity to star in “The Sixth Sense.

2025-04-15 16:25