THR is reporting that Walt Disney Pictures has found its Jafar for Guy Ritchie’s upcoming live-action Aladdin movie, with Marwan Kenzari (Ben-Hur, The Mummy) signing on to portray the classic villain.
In addition to Kenzari, former Saturday Night Live star Nasim Pedrad has joined the film as Mara, a handmaiden and friend to Jasmine and a role specifically created for the movie.
Aladdin is being directed by Guy Ritchie, and will star Mena Massoud (Jack Ryan) as the title character, with Naomi Scott (Power Rangers) as Jasmine and Will Smith (Suicide Squad) as the Genie.
The film is said to retain the musical elements of the 1992 animated classic, but will also include elements from the original source material, One Thousand and One Nights.