Fans are praising the Aladdin reboot, released today, which sees the original ending updated for a 2019 audience.
Despite recent improvements, Disney has been guilty of perpetuating gender stereotypes in the past, with its older productions often featuring princesses that are saved by men.
But the new live-action version of Aladdin seems to have something to say about that gender stereotype, flipping this on its head entirely.
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YES.
The much-loved 1992 animated original ends with Princess Jasmine's father, the Sultan, changing the law to allow Aladdin and Jasmine to be together.
Before this, Jasmine was bound to marry another royal, and was forbidden from marrying her "street rat" love, Aladdin.
However, in the 2019 remake, Jasmine's story ends with her father making her the Sultana, and with her new power, Jasmine changes the law of her own accord so she and Aladdin can be together.
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Pretty cool, huh?
Naomi Scott, who plays Jasmine in the film, said that the plot twist makes the remake "more relevant to a modern audience".
Speaking to Yahoo Movies, she said: "I love the fact that the power is then in in her hands, and that she becomes the Sultana. She's like, 'Well, I'm a boss lady, so I'll just change the law!' And she's actively pushing forward her own narrative. I just love that."
The 26-year-old adds: "At the end of the day, I think that she is the right person for the job when it comes to leading her people, because she's been studying and she is that politician. Those differences just really make it more relevant to a modern audience."
Naomi Scott acts alongside Mena Massoud, who plays Aladdin, and Will Smith as the Genie.
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Scott went on to talk about the father-daughter dynamic in the film also reflecting updated gender roles.
She explained: "The fact that her father realises that 'I didn't see it before, but yes, you are the leader.' I think that's really great to have a character that goes through his journey of actually realising that he was holding her back, that he was fearful. I think sometimes that we are held back by our fear, and we're unable to progress."
"It's been 27 years since the original, so a lot has changed and progressed. But Princess Jasmine was literally my favourite princess, because I could see myself in her, and she made me feel empowered. And I really wanted to keep that feeling, but just update her and modernise her. I think that there was room to really give her more ambition."
Aladdin actor Mena also spoke to the publication about Jasmine's new agency in the film, saying: "It was one of the ways that we wanted to contemporise this and then make it relevant.
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"So Princess Jasmine is definitely more empowered in this and Aladdin's journey now differs a little bit because a part of his journey is helping empower her, and encouraging her to do what she thinks she'd be good at."
We personally can't wait to see more Disney films remade to give more power to the female characters. Nice one, Disney!
Featured Image Credit: DisneyTopics: Entertainment News, TV & Film
