Tom Hardy responds to Aladdin casting rumors

Yesterday, it was rumored that Tom Hardy was being lined up to play Jafar in Guy Ritchie’s live-action Aladdin reboot. But the Mad Max: Fury Road star has now denied those reports.

Hardy’s reps have told The Metro that there is “no truth” to the rumors. The original story came via The Sun, who claimed that director Guy Ritchie was in talks with The Revenant actor about him playing the iconic Disney villain. This then sparked outrage on social media, after Ritchie had promised not to whitewash any characters:

https://twitter.com/iamroxxyhaze/status/874248135094280192

Tom Hardy as Jafar in Aladdin would be nonsense. Cast middle eastern people to play those specific roles. @TJRamini is perfect ;) pic.twitter.com/frArSu8EoW

— Mitch Dyer (@MitchyD) June 11, 2017

I think the term is overused and misused a lot, but this certainly seems like white washing

— Slikk (@SLIKK519) June 12, 2017

If I see one more person share that piece about Guy Ritchie wanting Tom Hardy as Jafar in the new #Aladdin I will scream. Just no.

— Jo-Anne Rowney (@JoAnne_Rowney) June 9, 2017

https://twitter.com/lieschenv/status/874322410903924737

This latest news will be a relief to many. Casting decisions are still yet to be made, most notably Aladdin and Jasmine. However, according to Deadline, Will Smith is in talks with Disney to play the genie.