Dutch-Tunisian actor Marwan Kenzari has been the topic of discussion the past couple days, after news of his potential role as Jafar in Disney's live-action adaptation of Aladdin began making the rounds online.
Disney is "close to signing the 34-year-old," BuzzFeed News confirmed.
If the deal goes through, Kenzari would be joining the likes of Egyptian Mena Massoud, who will be the lead actor in the film with his role as Aladdin, alongside Will Smith as the Genie and Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine.
In July, the entertainment conglomerate received backlash after claiming that the casting of Middle Eastern actors and actresses had been more difficult than anticipated. Some said this was just a disguise for potentially whitewashing the film.
But, with Massoud and now Kenzari, it looks like Disney has somewhat kept its promises. To be honest, choosing Kenzari to play Jafar is probably the best decision Disney has made.
And the internet definitely agrees.
Aladdin? Aladdin who?
Commitment issues put at bay
The adjective "hot" does not do Kenzari justice
"I volunteer to play Jafar's robe"
Ja-NEAR please
At a loss for words, really
His ABS ... ABSolutely gorgeous
Need we say more?
Change of perspective over the years
