Disney’s Live-Action “Aladdin” Remake Is Cutting Rajah the Tiger to Make Way for a New Female Role

When Will Smith shared the first photo of Disney’s live-action Aladdin cast on set, there seemed to be a few key characters missing from view, namely of the animal variety. As it turns out, there’s at least one old favorite that actually won’t be getting any screen time at all, with news breaking that Princess Jasmine’s beloved tiger, Rajah, won’t be part of the remake.

Instead, according to Entertainment Weekly, the Guy Ritchie-directed remake will introduce audiences to her human handmaiden, Dalia, to be played by Nasim Pedrad (ER, Saturday Night Live, Scream Queens), pictured below.

Naomi Scott, who has taken on the role of Princess Jasmine, spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about the change, explaining that for her, adding another female-centric role was key to the new film’s success. “I never realized it, but in the animation, Jasmine is really the only female character — isn’t that crazy? The Dalia character is so important to this movie, because she’s the only other female character.”

She also gave us a bit more insight into her new fictional friend, telling THR, “She may be the handmaiden, but they’re best friends; they’re so close because they’ve grown up together. So, we wanted people to watch the movie and see Jasmine’s relationship with another woman, and be like, ‘Ah, that’s what I’m like with my girlfriend,’ or ‘We would so do that if I was in that position.’ That’s something that’s missing from the animation.”

While we must admit we’ll certainly miss the tiger in question, we’ll reserve our judgement until Aladdin hits theaters on May 24, 2019.

What do you think about the fact that Disney’s new live-action Aladdin remake will replace Rajah the tiger with Dalia the handmaiden? Let us know @BritandCo!

(Photos via Aladdin/Disney + Dia Dipasupil/Getty)

2023 was the "Year of the Girl" thanks to Barbie, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift — and it looks like we could be getting another year of all things empowering because Barbie 2 is reportedly in the early stages of development. The movie, which brought in $1.4 billion (yes, BILLION!) worldwide follows Barbie (Margot Robbie) and Ken (Ryan Gosling) as they explore the real world, meet Gloria (America Ferrera) and Sasha (Ariana Greenblatt), and deal with everything from existentialism to Will Ferrell & the patriarchy. And we can't get enough.

Here's everything we know about those Greta Gerwig Barbie 2 movie rumors.

A 'Barbie 2' is reportedly in "early stages" from Great Gerwig & Noah Baumbach.

Warner Bros. Pictures

Greta Gerwig is currently gearing up to film her first Narnia Netflix movie during the summer of 2025, but multiple sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that the writer-director is in the "early stages" of developing an idea for a Barbie movie sequel. (Even though both Greta & Noah Baumbach's team and Warner Bros. say this is not true). So only time will tell!

The Little Women director has been vocal about only wanting to pursue a sequel should the story be just right, “My North Star is, what do I deeply love? What do I really care about? What’s the story underneath this story?” Greta said in her acceptance speech at Time’s Women of the Year honors (via THR). “If I find the undertow, then we get it. If I don’t find an undertow, there’s no more.”

She also told People ahead of the first film that she hoped the movie "is the launch of a world and a bunch of different Barbie movies."

"There’s a tone and a humor and a joy, and obviously the world is so beautiful," she says. "I want to go back to Barbie Land."

And there's one detail I would love to see from Margot Robbie's Barbie & Ryan Gosling's Ken.

While we're nowhere near learning what Greta Gerwig's potential Barbie sequel could be about, I'd love to see Ken play more of an active role in the second movie. I found it so fascinating that the first movie ended, not only with Ken realizing his entire life revolved around Barbie and that he needed to let her go, but also with Barbie admitting all the women took the Kens for granted.

If we get a Barbie 2, I want to see Barbie flourish alongside Sasha and Gloria, but I'm also hoping we get a peek into the new Barbieland to see how the Barbies and Kens have created a different, harmonious world together. (Although I'm hoping everything's still pink). Who knows — maybe it could inspire some IRL peace and love too. Art is meant to comfort, inspire, and push us to be better, and nobody is doing that better than Greta Gerwig.

What would you want to see in a Barbie 2? Let us know in the comments and check out our Barbie movie review for more on the worldwide sensation.

Taylor Swift's birthday (which any Swiftie will tell you is December 13, 1989) is always a reason to celebrate. But this year, considering her birthday came five days after wrapping the Eras Tour on December 8, Taylor's BF Travis Kelce took things to the next level by giving the popstar an Eras Tour-themed party! And according to Jo-Jo Edwards-Hilaire, it was a total surprise. Not only did the guest list include some of your favorite celebs, but they all dressed up asTaylor, wearing outfits inspired by each Era in the concert. There's only one thing to say: Long live all the memories we made!

Check out all the pictures from Taylor Swift's surprise 35th birthday party, thrown by Travis Kelce.

Patrick & Brittany Mahomes celebrated Taylor Swift (and the Eras Tour) with themed outfits.

www.instagram.com

Patrick and Brittany Mahomes showed up to Taylor's birthday wearing two of the best outfits of the night (which you can see on Brittany's Instagram): Britt was dressed as Fearless-era Taylor with a silver dress, jacket, and long curls, while Patrick was dressed in a suit just like Travis wore when he showed up onstage during "I Can Do It With A Broken Heart" in June 2024!

"My people🫶🏼," Brittany captioned the post, adding the heart hands Taylor has become known for. In addition to Britt's on-theme outfit, Taylor wore a black dress with red lipstick, Lyndsay Bell donned a Lover-approved pink sparkly outfit, and Ashley Avignone added some Reputation into the mix by wearing a plush snake around her neck, Voldemort style.

Ross Travis also posted photos from the event (including his incredible pink suit embroidered with ballerinas, heart sunglasses, and feather boa), showing off an epic dance floor. I want to belt "You Belong With Me" with Taylor and Travis!

But an epic party wasn't the only way Taylor Swift spent her 35th birthday.

And Taylor Swift's surprise birthday party wasn't the only event on her calendar last week. On December 12, the singer spent time with patients at the Children's Mercy Kansas City Hospital, petting dogs, making TikToks, and signing Eras Tour books. It was such a sweet and memorable way to kick off her birthday!

One of my favorite things about this visit is that not only is Taylor writing each kid a personalized message on their Eras Tour book, but she gets down to their eye level and stops writing to look at them when they're talking. Just like her lyrics make us feel seen when we hear them, Taylor goes out of her way to make every single kid feel known and important, and it just makes us love her even more.

When one child said, "I like Travis now," Taylor immediately replies with, "Yes, me too. That's an absolute yes on that one." We'd have to agree, Taylor ;).

While you relisten to The Tortured Poets Department, check out why This Taylor Swift Karma Release Date Theory Is Too Good Not To Believe. And sign up for our weekend newsletter for even more pop culture news!

It's The Holiday season — which means it's time to fangirl over Jude Law again. (Although some would argue it's always time to fangirl over Jude Law). His character Graham is a total heartthrob, as well as Iris' (Kate Winslet) big brother, but he's also a single dad to two daughters, which is where he's most swoon worthy, IMO. And the internet agrees that showing Amanda (Cameron Diaz) his dinner party alter ego Mr. Napkin Head is one of the best moments of the film. So it's safe to say that when he recreated the scene with director Nancy Meyers, the internet lost its mind.

Check out the video of Jude Law & director Nancy Meyers recreating Mr. Napkin Head from The Holiday — and teasing a potential The Holiday 2.

Jude Law & Nancy Meyers recreate Mr. Napkin Head.

Jude Law and Nancy Meyers reunited on Thursday December 12 to celebrate Jude getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. "Congrats Jude! ⭐️" Nancy said on Instagram. "I was thrilled to be at a lunch for Jude today and I had one question for him…."

While filming Jude from the other side of the table, an off-camera Nancy says, "It’s so great to see you. I don’t think I’ve seen you since we wrapped up The Holiday. Speaking of which. I’ve seen you interviewed a lot, and they keep asking you if there’s going to be a sequel, what do you think?”

In lieu of a verbal answer, Jude grabs a napkin and glasses and transforms into Mr. Napkin Head. That's not a no, Jude!!! Is this a hint that we'll see Graham again? "For the love of god, please give us a sequel 😩😩😩😩 we are dying without a new Nancy Meyers movie!!!" one user commented, while another says, "We desperately need you back in the director’s chair making another movie."

Jude Law has also revealed he's "love" to do a 'The Holiday 2'!

Jude has said in the past that the possibility for a potential sequel rests with Nancy, so the fact she's playing into the hype definitely gives me hope. “I’d love to see where they’re at,” Jude says on Today. “I’m a yes. You need to check in with everyone else...I'll ask Kate."

“I think Graham still has cardigans and glasses, and reads,” he adds in an interview with E! News. “He’s probably worried sick 'bout the girls, right? The daughters will be 28, 29.”

And in addition to teasing The Holiday 2, Jude Law also recently went viral for revealing The Holiday movie cottage doesn't actually exist — and breaking thousands of hearts in the process!

"So [Nancy Meyers], she's a bit of a perfectionist," he told BBC Radio. "She toured that whole area and didn't quite find the chocolate box cottage she's looking for...She just [rented] a field, and drew it and had someone build it."

But while the outside of the cottage looks like the perfect London Christmas card, the inside was, well...empty. "So here's the funny thing, if you watch it...We were shooting in the winter here," he continues. "And every time I'd go in that door, we'd cut, and we shot the interiors in L.A. about three months later...Just burst the bubble. Sorry!"

How do you feel about a potential The Holiday 2 in the era of sequels? Want more behind the scenes facts on the movie? Read up on Kate Winslet Still Goes By This Nickname Jack Black Gave Her During The Holiday!

If you've got a New Year's Eve party on the docket this season, we've got all the inspo you could possibly need for a fire outfit! From sequined get-ups to quiet luxury looks, we absolutely love to see what everyone puts on for the countdown to the new year. Get ready to shake up some tasty New Year’s cocktails, get your boogie on, and take some amazing Instagram pics before the ball drops.

Ring in 2025 in style with these stunning New Year's Eve outfit ideas!

Erin Sheehan

Leather pants will always make a statement, no matter where you wear 'em.

Emily Russell

If you want to be The Moment at this year's NYE party, don't be afraid to have fun with your outfit! This iconic sequined dress and hot pink gloves combo def catches our eye.

Meredith Holser

Sequins galore! Pop on a matching set with your favorite boots and a chain belt to easily accessorize.

Olivia Shea

Save this outfit formula – sequin mini dress, tights, and a blazer – for an easy NYE outfit. You could easily shop your 'fit from thrift stores or secondhand shops if you're putting together a look at the last minute.

Kayla Walden

This little tweed matching set is giving all the luxe looks you need for an elegant NYE get-together.

Meredith Holser

If a big blowout NYE party is calling your name, you might want to dress a little lighter. Big parties can get crowded and rowdy, so be prepared to sweat it out in a mini dress and practical, dance-friendly boots.

Erin Sheehan

The texture on this dress is everything. If you want your New Year's Eve outfit to stand out, opt for a piece with an interesting texture, pattern, or eye-catching color!

Kayla Walden

There's nothing a little black dress can't do! Break up the piece a bit by styling your go-to LBD with a colorful belt around the waist. We also adore the statement earrings in this gorgeous gal's ensemble!

Meredith Holser

Speaking of interesting patterns, leopard and cheetah prints are hot right now. Whether you don it on a top, pants, skirt, dress, or accessories, you'll be looking so chic.

Olivia Shea

Okay, fur coat! This layered outfit idea is fully convincing us to make a beeline to the thrift and find the fluffiest jacket around. Pair one with a basic black dress and tights, and you're golden.

Emily Russell

We're head over heels with this frilly, fringey look. The sheer fabrics add a hint of flirtiness, which is all you need for a fun NYE function!

Kayla Walden

Leather jackets were practically made for New Year's Eve outfits. We adore the trench-length of this one, especially when worn with a maxi dress that's just as long.

Olivia Shea

Another pop of cheetah print! This NYE outfit idea has it all, from playful prints to shiny sequins.

Meredith Holser

This 'fit would be excellent for an at-home NYE celebration, where you want to look cute, but don't want to feel uncomfortable. Mini dress + cardigan + socks + ballet flats have never been so adorable!

Emily Russell

You can never go wrong with a fun pair of tights!

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If you've been on the internet at all this week, you've probably heard about some totally invasive paparazzi leaking Sydney Sweeney's backyard bikini pics — and her incredible clap back to all the trolls body shaming her in the comments. After the actress showed off her resilience & her muscles in a training video from her new Christy Martin biopic (and celeb BFF's like Glen Powell weighed in), she took things to the next level by posting some spicier selfies from a rooftop in NYC.

Sydney Sweeney's latest spicy selfies prove she couldn't care less about her bikini body shamers.

Sydney Sweeney (almost) bares all in new Instagram selfies.

"rain rain go away," Sydney Sweeney says in a new Instagram post, which already has 3.4 million likes. The carousel of photos includes Syd standing on a rooftop in New York City (where it has been raining recently) wearing jeans and a brown-and-cream colored Miu Miu cardigan. The Housemaid actress also clutches a brown leather Miu Miu purse boasting plenty of charms.

I have to call out one of my favorite comments on the post, which comes from Sydney's hairstylist Glen "Coco" Oropeza and says, “It’s 68 degrees, and there’s a 30% chance that it’s already raining,” referencing one of the most iconic lines from Mean Girls (which is what his Instagram username references too!)

"hopefully your sunshine will push those clouds the f out 😍," another user commented, hyping up Sydney's positive response to all those internet trolls.

And her friends totally have her back.

Sydney's post came four days after she responded to body shamers with an intense training video from her new Christy Martin biopic — and more than one past costar supported her in the comments.

Isabela Merced, who starred with Sydney in Madame Web, said "The thing is these people would never say it in person. Too scared. But if they ever did? best believe it’s hands 😘, while Syd's Anyone But You star Glen Powell commented, "You’re such a bad—ss. This movie is gonna be 🔥."

Sydney and Glen got super close on the Anyone But You set, and formed such a strong connection that they fooled the entire internet into thinking they were having an affair. But in real life, they're just BFF's!

"I wanted to make sure that we were actively having a conversation with the audience as we were promoting this film," Sydney told The New York Times. "Because at the end of the day, they’re the ones who created the entire narrative."

"Once [the movie] did become a success, a lot of the interviews were just questions about [the rumors], so I don’t know if we necessarily were planning on ever talking about the strategy behind any of it," Sydney added in her 2025 Vanity Fair Hollywood story. "We just had very specific questions and when you say no to a question, people think that you’re a b—ch, so."

Check out the latest news on Sydney Sweeney's insane new thriller Eden, with Jude Law, Vanessa Kirby, and Ana de Armas.