Before landing the titular role in the Disney live-action remake of 'Aladdin', Mena Massoud had bit parts in shows like 'Nikita' and 'Saving Hope', and starred opposite John Krasinski in the first season of 'Jack Ryan'. But 'Aladdin' was meant to be his big break, making over €1 billion at the box office. Instead his career is quieter than ever.
Mena Massoud revealed all in an interview with The Daily Beast. He told the publication: “I’m kind of tired of staying quiet about it.
“I want people to know that it’s not always dandelions and roses when you’re doing something like 'Aladdin'. ‘He must have made millions. He must be getting all these offers.’ It’s none of those things. I haven’t had a single audition since 'Aladdin' came out.”
“It’s wild to a lot of people,” he continued. “People have these ideas in their head. It’s like, I'm sitting here being like, OK, Aladdin just hit $1 billion. Can I at least get an audition? Like I’m not expecting you to be like, here’s Batman. But can I just get in the room? Like, can you just give me a chance? So it’s not always what you think.”
Massoud added that he has been working for ten years but 'Aladdin' is the first film many saw him in. He hopes his next project, 'Reprisal' on Hulu, a noir drama which he stars in opposite Abigail Spencer, will change people's perception of him as the singing, happy-go-lucky street urchin who marries a princess.
Reflecting on the Guy Ritchie phenomenon, he noted: “I think since 'Aladdin' my expectations for things releasing and what they’re going to do in my career, I’ve had to really pull them back.
“Because, you know, I got the same question about 'Aladdin' and it was like, ‘Oh, you know, 'Aladdin'’s coming out. How do you feel about what that’s going to do to your career?’ The big truth is I haven’t really seen a big anything from it.”
His co-star, Naomi Scott, who plays Jasmine in the film, currently stars in 'Charlie's Angels.'
