An Oscar-Winning Duo is Writing New Songs for the Aladdin Remake

Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Photo by Rob Latour/REX/Shutterstock (9307697ah)

If you’re looking for a City of Stars, may we suggest Agrabah?

Those of us who grew up watching the late Robin Williams as a blue genie granting 3 wishes to a so-called “street rat” so he could woo his beloved princess on a magic carpet ride, might be a little apprehensive about the remake of Disney’s Aladdin which is currently in production.

But, our fears may now be put to rest — or at least less frantic than those belonging to Iago — thanks to the announcement of the duo set to pen the new songs for the live-action musical.

Who needs a Friend Like Me when Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who won an Oscar for La La Land, have already written 2 new songs for the film which will be directed by Guy Ritchie of Sherlock Holmes fame and starring Will Smith as Genie, Mena Massoud as Aladdin, and Naomi Scott as Jasmine.

Pasek and Paul, as they’re known, were most recently nominated for another Academy Award for The Greatest Showman anthem, “This is Me.”

Aladdin only comes out in 2019, but we wonder if we can find our own genie to wish it sooner.