However, the momentum hit a significant speed bump in late 2023. The dual strikes by the WGA (Writers Guild of America) and SAG-AFTRA halted development on nearly every major Hollywood production. During this downtime, several planned Disney sequels were scrapped or re-evaluated. While Aladdin 2 was not officially cancelled, it lost its place on the immediate release calendar, leaving fans wondering if the genie would ever come out of the lamp again.
Mena Massoud (Aladdin) expressed doubt about the project in 2023 and 2024, stating it was "very unlikely" and that he was prepared to move on. Aladdin 2
One of the 2019 film’s triumphs was its new music. "Speechless" (by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul) earned a Golden Globe nomination. For the sequel, Disney needs a marquee songwriting team. Pasek and Paul are busy with Snow White (2025) and The Greatest Showman 2 . However, the momentum hit a significant speed bump
