Will Smith is in Talks to Play The Genie in Disney's Live-Action ALADDIN Film
According to Deadline, Will Smith is currently in talks with Disney to take on the role of the Genie in their live-action adaptation of Aladdin. This role was made famous by the late Robin Williams. Smith has some huge shoes to fill! The Genie is one of Williams' best movie roles. He owned it, and it isn't going to be an easy act to follow. Does Smith even have that kind of energy!?
I love Will Smith, but it's kinda hard to imagine him in this role. If he ends up taking the gig, it will be interesting to see what he does with it. I'm sure he'll do something great and bring something unique to the character.
Guy Ritchie (Sherlock Holmes) is directing the film and is in the process of developing it with screenwriter John August (Big Fish). I'm a fan of all the films that Ritchie has made, and I think he's going to do something great with Aladdin. If he thinks Smith is the guy that can help him realize his vision for the Genie and the story, so be it.
Disney is hot off their success of Beauty and the Beast and they are looking to roll forward with Aladdin so they can cash in. Smith was previously up for the lead role in Tim Burton's upcoming Dumbo movie. Maybe he took himself out of the running for that because he was more interested in Aladdin.
You all know the story of Aladdin, and I don't imagine the story for the new live-action film will be much different than the one we saw in the classic 1992 animated movie. What do you all think about the possibility of Will Smith playing the Genie in Aladdin?
