Mena Massoud, who plays Aladdin in the new Disney movie of the same name, and Naomi Scott, who plays Jasmine, pose at the film’s Los Angeles premiere on May 21. — AFP Photo LOS ANGELES — Aladdin apparently still has the old magic, as the new Disney film took in an estimated US$86.1 million in the Friday-to-Sunday period in North America to lead all box-office offerings, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported. The film, released on the US’s four-day Memorial Day weekend, is expected to earn $105 million when Monday’s ticket sales are included, well beyond earlier estimates of around $80 million, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The live-action movie, directed by Guy Ritchie, stars Will Smith as the genie and the Egyptian-born Canadian actor Mena Massoud as the wily charmer who pretends to be a prince to catch the attention of the lovely Jasmine (Naomi Scott). The new version is an adaptation of Disney’s 1992 Aladdin, which featured the unforgettable voice of Robin Williams as the fast-talking genie (and the less well-known actor Scott Weinger as Aladdin). Last week’s box-office leader, Lionsgate’s John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, slipped to second, taking in $24.4 million for three days ($30.5 million for four). Keanu Reaves again stars as retired hitman John Wick, this time being chased by an army of killers after a contract is put on his head. Also starring are Halle Berry, Laurence Fishburne, Ian McShane and Anjelica Huston. In third was Disney blockbuster Avengers: Endgame, taking in an estimated $16.8 million for three days ($21.9 million for four)…. [Read full story]
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