An exciting new version of the classic Aladdin story set in a bright sci-fi future is Matt Busch‘s Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom. This independent feature-film takes well-known characters and gives them new life by putting them together in a story full of adventure, mystery and love. Busch wrote and directed his first full-length movie, which tells a captivating story that takes viewers on a mesmerizing journey around the world—visiting beautiful places along the way.
The movie was shot over several years and includes both carefully designed sets and beautiful scenery from around the world. Places like Hong Kong, India, Cambodia and Thailand are used as vivid backgrounds that pull viewers into a world with lots of fine details. Here, we’ll talk about the movie’s plot, the amazing places where it was filmed, and the cast and director’s thoughts.
Aladdin 3477- I: The Jinn of Wisdom Plot Summary
The movie is about a smart thief named Aladdin (Erik Steele) who lives in Hong Kong in the future. He is crazy about Princess Kamala of India (Christi Dumar), which sends him on a dangerous quest to find the legendary Jinn of Wisdom (Aaron Golematis), a very powerful being. Along the way, Aladdin meets Oomi (Lin Zy), a loyal friend and FIDGI, his smart and resourceful robot companion.
As shadowy bad guys and old secrets come to light, their journey is full of danger. The story cleverly uses old parts of the Aladdin legend while making them feel new and exciting in a sci-fi setting. It has a unique mix of humor, romance and suspense. The big story is the first part of a planned trilogy, which means there will be even more adventures in the years to come.
Where was “Aladdin 3477- I: The Jinn of Wisdom” Filmed?
Four years, from May 9, 2014, to July 8, 2018, were used to film Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom. Busch’s commitment to realism and visual grandeur led the production team to travel through several countries and record stunning landscapes and unique cultural elements. Here are the main places where the movie was shot, one by one:
1. Hong Kong, China
Kowloon and Shanghai were very important in building Aladdin’s futuristic home. The street scenes were filmed in bustling urban areas to capture the high-tech environment and neon lights that define the year 3477. Bush said that Hong Kong’s vibrant energy and changing architecture fit perfectly with the film’s vision of a metropolis technologically advanced.
2. Macomb Township, Michigan, USA
Some of the most complicated sets were built in Macomb Township, Michigan, where Busch grew up. Realistic depth was added by using practical effects, miniatures in forced perspective and hand-made backdrops. Places like Michigan’s Silver Lake Sand Dunes were used to stand in for otherworldly landscapes, showing that creative thinking can be just as good as expensive CGI.
3. India: New Delhi and Jaipur
The majestic beauty of India was central to the plot. Setting shots in New Delhi showed how spread out the city is, and a lot of the movie’s architecture was influenced by the old palaces and grand temples in Jaipur. The Taj Mahal is also a memorable sight; it is a key part of Aladdin’s love story with Princess Kamala. Busch called India a dream vacation spot and said, “From the get-go, I knew India would anchor much of the adventure. Its exotic beauty and cultural richness are unparalleled.'”
4. Cambodia: Phnom Penh and Siem Reap
The ancient temples of Angkor Wat near ‘Siem Reap’ provided an air of mystery and intrigue. In the story, these amazing structures from the past are where the Jinn of Wisdom rests. Busch said, “The temples, once abandoned and rediscovered centuries later, perfectly align with the film’s themes of ancient secrets and timeless power.”
Thailand: Bangkok and Rural Jungles
Thailand’s wide range of landscapes gave the movie more depth. In some scenes, the lush, rural jungles and clean temples were shown next to Bangkok’s modern skyline. Busch teased,“Aladdin’s escapades in Thailand reveal unexpected allies and hidden dangers.”
6. Switzerland: Zermatt, Kanton Wallis
Aerial shots of Zermatt’s snowy peaks made the movie look very different. At important times, the dramatic mountain scenery drew attention to how grand Aladdin’s journey was.
Matt Busch’s big goals were hard to reach but also very rewarding. He talked about the production and said, “Scouting these locations wasn’t just about finding pretty backgrounds.” It meant getting to know the cultures and histories that shaped the story.
The cast also talked about how excited they were for the global adventure. Erik Steele, who plays Aladdin, said, “Filming in India and Cambodia wasn’t just beautiful to look at; it made our performances seem more real.” Being in these places helped us really connect with the characters.
“Matt’s attention to detail is extraordinary” Christi Dumar, who played Princess Kamala, said about Busch’s hard work. Every scene felt real and alive, whether we were filming in a—historic palace or a hand-built set in Michigan.
Busch worked very carefully on preproduction for five years. Some of the things they did were write, draw and design the whole movie. He was so involved that he built sets in his own backyard. This shows that passion and creativity can work wonders, even on a small budget.
During their travels, the team also took background plates, which were important establishing shots that would later be put together with real and digital effects. Busch stressed, “These plates were instrumental in achieving the film’s cohesive aesthetic. The blend of real-world and constructed environments makes the future feel tangible.”
There’s more to Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom than just a movie. It shows how powerful independent filmmaking can be. It looks like it will be a movie experience like no other, with a captivating plot—beautiful settings and heartfelt performances. This movie, which is the first part of a big trilogy, is sure to charm people all over the world when it comes out on Apple TV+ in January 2025.
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