One look at Genie in the live adaptation of Aladdin and people aren’t happy. Will Smith’s genie will give you the blues, even though he’s got more color.
Here’s how he looks:
Entertainment Weekly released the first pictures of the cast as they would be in the reboot of the 1992 animated hit. The magazine also featured an interview with Guy Ritchie, the director of the film.
Mena Massoud is the charming scoundrel Aladdin in Disney’s ALADDIN, a live-action adaptation of the studio’s animated classic.
The director of the film Guy Ritchie, is known for films like Sherlock Holmes and its sequel as well as The Man From UNCLE and Toff Guys. He took up Aladdin because he says he’s always wanted to do a children’s film. The director made it clear that he would be telling the story his own way.
“Fresh and worth it, but not so much that it would wash away nostalgia.”
Ritchie says that’s exactly why he cast the ever-charismatic Will Smith as the Genie. Will Smith also made it clear that his genie would not be like Robin Williams’ Genie from the animated film.
The death of the iconic children’s film actor Robin Williams in 2014 left many heartbroken. Many felt that the roles portrayed by the actor could never find replacements.
Guy Ritchie much like Will Smith, knew that no one could fill in for Williams which is why they opted for a different portrayal of the beloved character.
With Will Smith as Genie, Mena Massoud will be playing the role of Aladdin and Naomi Scott has been cast as Jasmine.
The villainous grand Vizer (advisor) will be played by Tunisian-Dutch actor Marwan Kenzari.
CGI Abu is just as cute as Simba the cub in The Lion King trailer.
Social Media Erupts after seeing Genie in Pictures
Despite Will Smith intent on not messing with Williams’ Genie, people have a lot to say on the matter.
https://twitter.com/JasonWesney/status/1075392721899143169
Some Sindbad comparisons were also made:
https://twitter.com/EddieisCaligula/status/1075381957285023744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
We admit we didn’t see this one coming:
Tell me I’m wrong. pic.twitter.com/QcY4K8NR0m
— Daniel Summers (@WFKARS) December 19, 2018
As much as we love a children’s movie with so much color, people would have preferred that the spirit be blue. Most of the criticism comes from that deviation from the animated film.
Will Smith ain't lookin right as Genie pic.twitter.com/F0wiXDa6Bk
— Holly Jolly Ken 🎄🎅🏼 (@KFI117) December 19, 2018
Blue Genie? So they were expecting a CGI Genie then. He wouldn’t be as cute as Abu thats for sure.
https://twitter.com/StanHasNoPlan/status/1075393316622123008
The more ridiculous takes on the portrayal include Goro from Mortal Kombat. Maybe that’s what the CGI Genie might have looked like. That’s how we Finish This!!!
Will Smith as Genie pic.twitter.com/qaDReCv4rU
— KOGAN (@koganDUMB) December 19, 2018
Long story short, people weren’t pleased with this new brew. But this is Disney we’re talking about and they might actually pull this off.
https://twitter.com/Camo1023/status/1075379093934403584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
While folks cried themselves a river, it turns out all of this may be too much, too soon. Because, Will Smith says that the Genie will be blue. Phew, we might have seen him in his human form in that case.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrkhMBcBifX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Aladdin is set to release in May, 2019. The film is being shot in the suburbs of London and the set is being built on.
What do you think of this new Genie? Sound off in the comments below.
