12 hours Ago By Samantha King
The Arabian Nights tale that inspired Disney's beloved film Aladdin is set to be reimagined as a horror film with a gruesome added detail. Disney's family-friendly version of Aladdin has become a classic since its release in 1992, telling the rags-to-riches story of a young man who stumbles upon a lamp containing a genie who grants him three wishes to turn his life around. The original tale from the Arabian Nights collection has a much darker and more sinister tone, featuring mature themes like sex and murder.
Now, a modern-day adaptation has been announced, taking the form of a "dark" and "supernatural" horror film, titled Aladdin: The Monkey's Paw. In a gruesome twist, the classic lamp from the tale is being replaced with an actual monkey's hand. Production on the film is set to begin in the UK in May.
According to Deadline, the movie's official synopsis reads: "A modern-day Londoner, Aladdin, inherits an ancient monkey's paw believed to grant wishes, only to discover that every desire comes at a soul-crushing price. "As those around him fall victim to its curse, he must confront a growing evil - and the demonic force that feeds on every wish made." The cast includes EastEnders alum Ricky Norwood, known for playing Fatboy on the long-running British soap, alongside Daddy Issues' Montana Manning and Mea Culpa's Nick Sagar.
Bradley Stryker, who appeared in the ultra-violent slasher film Terrifier 3 last year, will not only star in the film but also take on directorial duties, reports the Mirror . Stryker gave a juicy teaser about the project, saying: "This film will be so much fun - it's all about the peaks and valleys; the highs of lows of what we deem our dreams and desires..
. and then we slam that into a genre film in which the stakes have never been more diabolical and entertaining." The film comes from a screenplay written by Charley McDougall, who said in a statement: "We always wanted to explore horror through a personal lens - not just the scares, but the human cost of wishes.
This story's been haunting us for a while, and it's time to let it loose. The best horror films haunt you long after the credits roll. That's what this story does.
" "It's sharp, emotional, and full of dread in all the right ways. We're not just making another horror film - we're building a world around a truly iconic concept. The paw, the mythology, the characters - it's all there.
" Production on Aladdin: The Monkey's Paw is set to begin filming in May. A release date is yet to be announced..
