Aladdin 2 (2025) is an exciting possibility for fans of the Aladdin franchise, especially given the success of the 2019 live-action remake directed by Guy Ritchie. The original Aladdin (1992) animated film became one of Disney’s most beloved classics, and the 2019 remake, starring Mena Mᴀssoud as Aladdin, Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine, and Will Smith as the Genie, brought the timeless story to a new generation with stunning visuals, action sequences, and musical numbers. A sequel to the live-action Aladdin would have a lot of potential, further expanding the world of Agrabah and exploring new adventures for Aladdin, Jasmine, and their friends.

Here’s a speculative breakdown of what Aladdin 2 (2025) could bring:

Story:

Aladdin’s New Life as Prince:
- The story could pick up after the events of the first film, where Aladdin, having used the magic of the Genie’s lamp, marries Princess Jasmine and becomes a prince of Agrabah. While Aladdin and Jasmine’s love story was central to the first film, the sequel could explore the challenges they face in their new roles.
- Aladdin, despite being a prince, may still feel out of place in the royal court, as he was once a “diamond in the rough” street rat. The sequel could focus on Aladdin struggling with the responsibilities of his new life, proving himself worthy of the throne, and navigating political intrigue in the palace while trying to maintain his humble origins.
- There could also be a conflict between Aladdin and the royal advisors or rivals who challenge his position, leading him to prove his leadership and commitment to Agrabah.
Jasmine’s Role as Queen:
- Jasmine’s character arc could be explored more deeply in the sequel as she transitions from a princess to a queen. She has always sought to be more than just a traditional royal figure and the sequel could show her pushing for reforms in the kingdom, advocating for women’s rights, and striving to balance her personal desires with her new responsibilities.
- Jasmine may have to deal with opposition from those who want to maintain the old ways, including traditionalists who want her to adhere to more conventional expectations of royalty. Her dynamic with Aladdin could shift as they both navigate their new roles as rulers.
The Return of the Genie:
- Will Smith’s Genie could return in a more significant role, helping Aladdin and Jasmine adjust to their royal responsibilities. There’s also potential for the Genie to explore life as a free being after being released from the lamp in the first film. The Genie’s new freedoms could be explored, offering a chance for humor, adventure, and personal growth.
- The film could dive deeper into the dynamics between the Genie and Aladdin, exploring how their friendship evolves and how the Genie can help or hinder Aladdin’s journey toward becoming a true ruler of Agrabah.
A New Villain or Rival:
- The sequel could introduce a new antagonist or rival who seeks to challenge Aladdin’s rule or disrupt the peace in Agrabah. This new villain could be a power-hungry figure, a former adversary, or someone who has a personal vendetta against Aladdin and his friends. A magical or political threat could put Aladdin’s newfound position at risk, forcing him to rise to the occasion once again.
- One possibility is a character from Aladdin’s past, someone who was wronged by him when he was a street thief, seeking revenge. Alternatively, a powerful sorcerer or a military leader could aim to take control of Agrabah, creating a new external threat.
A Magical Quest:
- Since the world of Aladdin is filled with magic, Aladdin 2 could introduce a new magical quest. Perhaps a new artifact or power threatens Agrabah, requiring Aladdin, Jasmine, the Genie, and their friends to go on an adventure to secure or destroy it. This could take them beyond the walls of Agrabah, exploring new lands, encountering new magical creatures, and facing new challenges.
- This adventure could involve elements from Arabian mythology, bringing in new mystical beings and testing the strength of Aladdin and Jasmine’s relationship as they work together to protect their kingdom.
Themes of Leadership and Legacy:
- A central theme of Aladdin 2 could be the concept of leadership. Both Aladdin and Jasmine must learn what it means to be rulers, understanding the weight of their decisions and how their actions will shape the future of Agrabah. They must reconcile their personal values with the needs of the kingdom, balancing their romantic relationship with their duties to their people.
- The film could also explore the theme of legacy, as Aladdin and Jasmine try to build a better future for Agrabah and ensure that the kingdom remains prosperous and just for future generations.

Characters:

Aladdin: As the тιтular character, Aladdin’s growth as a prince and leader will likely be central to the sequel. His journey could be one of self-discovery, as he must prove his worth not only to the people of Agrabah but also to himself. He may have to come to terms with his past while stepping into his new royal duties.
Jasmine: Princess Jasmine’s evolution into a queen will be a key part of the sequel. She will likely play a more ᴀssertive and active role in the kingdom, advocating for the people of Agrabah and breaking away from the constraints of traditional royal expectations.
The Genie: The Genie could have a larger presence in Aladdin 2, exploring life as a free being and his evolving relationship with Aladdin and Jasmine. His magical powers and comedic personality will continue to bring humor and heart to the film.
Iago: The mischievous parrot Iago, voiced by a returning actor, could continue to provide comic relief and might even have a redemption arc, as he had a somewhat softer ending in the first film. Iago’s relationship with the heroes might evolve as they face new challenges together.
New Villains: A new antagonist or rival, perhaps someone with magical abilities or a political figure who seeks to take the throne, would serve as a major threat in the sequel. This new villain would challenge Aladdin and Jasmine’s rule, forcing them to prove their capabilities as leaders.

Visual Style:

The film would likely retain the vibrant and fantastical visual style of the first movie, with the streets of Agrabah, the grand palace, and the desert landscape depicted in stunning detail. The magical elements of the film would offer ample opportunity for imaginative CGI, such as spectacular magic spells, fantastical creatures, and grand palace scenes.
The action sequences, particularly any large-scale magical battles or daring adventures, would be visually stunning, blending the beauty of the setting with the high-energy action of Aladdin’s journey.

Music:

The music in Aladdin 2 would continue to play a central role, with songs that match the film’s themes of magic, adventure, and romance. Expect new original songs alongside possible reprises of fan-favorite tracks like “A Whole New World” and “Friend Like Me,” which could be re-imagined or performed in new ways as part of Aladdin and Jasmine’s journey.

Tone:

The tone of Aladdin 2 would likely continue to blend humor, adventure, and romance with a deeper exploration of the themes of leadership, responsibility, and personal growth. The film would have moments of light-hearted fun, thanks to the Genie and Iago, but also dive into more emotional and dramatic moments as Aladdin and Jasmine face the challenges of ruling Agrabah.

Overall Expectations:

Aladdin 2 (2025) would continue the magic, adventure, and heart of the first film while expanding the world of Agrabah and deepening the stories of its beloved characters. With exciting new adventures, compelling character growth, and the return of the charm, music, and magic of the original film, Aladdin 2 would offer both fans of the first film and newcomers an engaging and entertaining sequel. The blend of romance, leadership, magical escapades, and the enduring friendship between Aladdin, Jasmine, and the Genie will continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

Hoxne Hoard treasures. Photo by Helen Simonsson CC by SA-2.0

November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.

Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0

The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.

Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”

Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.

The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.

A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0

Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”

Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0

Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.

Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.

Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum

Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.

Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.