10 Mar – In order to avoid white-washing accusation, Disney is learning fast and once again looking for lead actors whose racial background corresponds with the original main characters' own for the live-action movie they are bringing to life next. "Aladdin", the live-action feature adaptation of the same name 1992 animated Disney movie, is now holding open casting calls for the leads. Hollywood writer Dani Fernandez posted the casting call on her Twitter, which announces that the studio is looking for Middle Eastern talents who are between 18 to 25 years old to play the part of eponymous character Aladdin and the Princess of Agrabah, Jasmine. Since the movie will retain its musical elements, the auditionees "must be able to sing". Having dance experience is a plus, it was stated, as musicals do generally involve a heavy number of dance sequences. Those hoping to score the roles will need to act fast, the audition is only open this March it seems as the rehearsals would already begin next month. Directed by Guy Ritchie ("Sherlock Holmes") filming will begin in July 2017 until January 2018 in the United Kingdom. Back in December 2016, the studio held a similar casting call for the live-action version of "Mulan". Since the original 1998 animated movie centres on largely Chinese characters, the studio asked for those who auditioned to be fluent in both English and Mandarin Chinese. Looks like Hollywood is finally taking the right step towards levelling the field for non-white actors.