Disney criticised after minor white ‘Aladdin’ character is rumoured to be getting a spin-off

Disney faces criticism after rumours that the studio was developing a Disney+ spin-off for a minor white character from Aladdin. The backlash comes the same week that its leading star Mena Massoud announced he couldn’t even get an audition for another movie.

The Hollywood Reporter states that the studio is working on a show for Billy Magnussen’s Prince Anders, who only had a handful of scenes in the billion dollar grossing live-action remake.

The series will be written Jordan Dunn and Michael Kvamme, while it was Magnussen that came up with the idea for a story on the dim character, who was a potential suitor for Naomi Scott’s Princess Jasmine.

Read more: Aladdin stars blame early criticism on unfinished CGI

However, the internet immediately attacked Disney’s decision to make a Prince Anders spin-off, immediately comparing the decision with Massoud’s comments.

Earlier this week, Massoud opened up to Daily Beast about his struggles after Aladdin, declaring, “I’m kind of tired of staying quiet about it. I want people to know that it’s not always dandelions and roses when you’re doing something like Aladdin. ‘He must have made millions. He must be getting all these offers.’ It’s none of those things. I haven’t had a single audition since Aladdin came out.”

“It’s wild to a lot of people. People have these ideas in their head. It’s like, I'm sitting here being like, OK, Aladdin just hit $1 billion. Can I at least get an audition? Like I’m not expecting you to be like, here’s Batman. But can I just get in the room? Like, can you just give me a chance? So it’s not always what you think.”

Read More: Will Smith responds to 'Aladdin' co-star Mena Massoud's lack of auditions

An Aladdin sequel is reportedly in development at Disney, but it still hasn’t been announced by the studio even though the original was released over 6 months ago.