Aladdin: Disney Just Invented A Character To Get A White Guy In
Prince Anders invades the Middle East.
Remember that bit in the original animated Aladdin when the blue-eyed, blonde-haired prince turns up and tries to woo Princess Jasmine as a competitor to Prince Ali? You know, even though it was really odd, because the film is set in the Middle East, right next to the River Jordan...
No? Of course you don't. Because there are - somewhat justifiably - no white characters in Aladdin. It's not their story. There aren't any in Mulan either. Because that equally wouldn't make sense.
Still, the lack of logic of such a character hasn't stopped Disney from introducing a European, white prince to their upcoming live adaptation of Aladdin. Into The Woods star Billy Magnussen has been added to the cast as a brand new character - Prince Anders - as per THR's report and it's being reported that he will be a rival suitor for Jasmine's hand.
This just seems like an unnecessary addition, when we could have been talking about a hugely significant project with a massive budget that didn't feel the need to shoehorn in any white faces. But it seems even fictional Middle Eastern countries can't go about their business without white guys sticking their nose in.
Sure, it's an opportunity to get another villain in there, obviously, but is it really necessary? Do we really need to see a white invader type trying to come in and steal Jasmine's affections?