Raise your hand if you’re going to have “Arabian Nights” and “Friend Like Me

Disney smartly stuck mostly to visuals for the first teaser for Aladdin, Guy Ritchie’s live-action update to the animated classic: there’s Iago flying over Agrabah, out to the sinister Cave of Wonders. Add in the soaring “Arabian Nights” score and the voice of the cave, and it’s definitely plucking some nostalgic heartstrings.

Alas, there’s nary a whiff of Will Smith’s blue Genie or any of the other beloved characters despite Smith’s tease earlier this week.

Instead, the trailer opens on the desert, a bird can be seen flying in the distance, past the skyline of the distant city of Agrabah. (The titular bird in question, of course, this is Iago, Jafar’s talking parrot. In the original movie, the loud-mouthed character was made famous by Gilbert Gottfried). Iago — or what appears to be him — through the arid desert before landing in front of the mysterious Cave of Wonders, filled with mountains of treasure and the sought-after magic lamp.

There’s no indication as to whether or not Iago will have a speaking role in the live-action Aladdin, as it looks like the film is going for a slightly more grounded take on the material. However, fans will certainly be happy just to know Iago is involved in some capacity.

Following the titular street rat, Disney’s animated Aladdin tells the story of a young man manipulated by the Sultan’s wicked Vizier Jafar. Then, Aladdin stumbles upon a genie lamp that has the power to give him everything he’s ever wished for. But, when the genie’s power falls into the wrong hands, it’ll be up to Aladdin to save the day.

Disney’s live-action retelling of Aladdin, the film stars Mena Massoud as “charming street rat” Aladdin; Naomi Scott as “courageous and self-determined” princess Jasmine; Marwan Kenzari as ambitious sorcerer Jafar; Navid Negahban as the Sultan; Nasim Pedrad as Dalia, Princess Jasmine’s free-spirited best friend and confidante; Billy Magnussen as a new character, the handsome and arrogant suitor Prince Anders; and Numan Acar as Hakim, Jafar’s right-hand man and captain of the palace guards.

Are you hoping to see more Iago in the full trailer? What did you think of this Aladdin teaser?

Aladdin comes to theatres May 24, 2019.