Disney is developing a new fantasy/sci-fi adaptation of 1001 nights. Ever since Snowwhite and the Seven DwarfsDisney is known for turning classic stories, fairy tales and folk traditions into successful and entertaining feature films and television shows. Of the many adaptations, one of the most captivating was the 1992 animation classic aladdinbased on the story of One thousand and one nights. The feature film is about a poor orphaned “street rat” who acquires a magic lamp that summons a genie that can grant any wish, but gets him in trouble with an evil vizier who wants to steal it for himself.
aladdin became a huge hit, spawning two direct-to-video sequels, an animated series, and more. A live-action remake was released in 2019 starring Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott and Will Smith, making over $1 billion worldwide. Before that, Disney had been experimenting with adapting another story from… One thousand and one nights for his canceled position musicana. The film would have a segment based on: Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, which follows the story of a merchant who outwits a band of thieves and who would be told with anthropomorphic birds. Although the project never got off the ground, Disney’s interest in One thousand and one nights has clearly remained strong.
According to DeadlineDisney is developing a new fantasy/sci-fi adaptation of One thousand and one nightscurrently titled 1001 nights. Disney hired Arash Amel to write the screenplay, and Amel previously collaborated with Disney+ on the biographical sports drama To get up. It is currently unknown how the film adapts the story, but despite sharing the source with aladdinit is said to be an original standalone IP address.
1001 nights will be different from Aladdin
The original One thousand and one nights The story follows a sultan named Shahryār who, after being betrayed by his unfaithful wife, has her killed. To maintain his place on the throne, he decides to marry a woman every day and have her executed in the morning. The Vizier’s clever daughter, Scheherazade, becomes his next wife and starts telling him a story, but always ends with a cliffhanger or tease to stay alive the next day. This continues for 1001 nights until Shahryār falls in love with her. Among the many stories she tells are: aladdin, Ali Babaand Sinbad the sailor.
To adjust One thousand and one nights independently from aladdin enables Disney to think outside the box again and create a unique film that makes the most of its storytelling capabilities. While aladdin is one of the company’s most successful and iconic IPs, there are those who are dissatisfied with the live-action remakes and aspire to see more daring live-action film adaptations of other stories. 1001 nights gives Disney the chance to dig into the wider source material and create something new and exciting with the classic folktales.
Source: Deadline
