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Aladdin Topples Independence Day As Will Smith's Highest Earning Film

Aladdin Topples Independence Day As Will Smith's Highest Earning Film

“Today, Aladdin just passed Independence Day as the highest grossing film of my entire career."

EMS 7

EMS 7

Disney's live-action remake of Aladdin continues to smash box office figures, taking audiences old and new on a magical carpet ride once more.

And although fans were a little dubious about Will Smith's Genie before the film dropped, this is Will Smith we're talking about and so of course he smashed the role - no wishes required.

So much so that the film has managed to topple his highest earner up until now, Independence Day.

Taking to Instagram to express gratitude to the fans, Smith said, "This is a post that I'm just humbled and honoured to make right now.

"Today, Aladdin just passed Independence Day as the highest grossing film of my entire career.

"And to be in this game as long as I've been in this game and to have my biggest movie at this point... I just want to say thank you."

Aladdin has far outreached expectations. Not only does it mark a milestone in Smith's career, but it's also now director Guy Ritchie's biggest global hit (what, more than Lock, Stock!?), having earned over $568 million at the international box office and over $874 million worldwide, according to Deadline.

If you haven't had a chance to see the film yourself, it's out in cinemas now and pretty much follows the same narrative as Disney's animated classic, only IRL.

Alongside Smith as Genie, taking over from the late, great Robin Williams, Mena Massoud stars as Aladdin and Naomi Scott takes the role of Princess Jasmine.

It's quite an unusual choice for Ritchie to take on, having built his career around gritty gangster dramas such as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch.

Aladdin
Aladdin

The director explained his reasons to Screen Rant, stating: "My kids are massive Aladdin fans, and I was desperate to make a film that we could all enjoy.

"So Aladdin seemed like the obvious choice, because it was a lot of stuff that I was familiar with, and it was enough stuff that the kids were familiar with.

"I thought I could find a sweet spot there, that I could have a voice that was authentic to Disney and Aladdin but simultaneously feel like it was fresh."

With the film continuing to earn big at the box office, it would certainly seem Ritchie found that sweet spot.

Featured Image Credit: Disney

Topics: Disney, Will Smith