As everybody who follows the Disney hype train knows, there are a series of films coming out in this year alone that are all live-action remakes of their celebrated Animated Canon. Taking after the frenetic production and release pace of its sister film franchise the Marvel Cinematic Universe, no less than three of these “conversions†will hit theaters before 2019 is out.
First the wonder of the flying elephant “Dumbo†in March, Disney will follow up in July with “The Lion Kingâ€. And between them is the magical remake of the 1993 classic “Aladdinâ€; at least that’s how Disney wants the movie to come across.
So far, many fans are unconvinced. The major sticking point of course has been the casting of Will Smith as the Genie of the lamp – a role many insist can only be performed by the original 1993 voice actor, the late Robin Williams. Disney must have hoped that finally showing Smith in CGI as the live-action Genie will quell discontent. But as BBC goes, opinion may have only gotten worse.
A new teaser from Disney was put up by Will Smith himself on Instagram, re-spinning visuals already shown in its predecessor and adding new sequences: Aladdin in the collapsing Cave of Wonders, the “Prince Ali†entrance number, and finally Aladdin rubbing the lamp to release Will Smith as the Genie.
“I told y’all I was gon’ be Blue!!†Will wrote on his Instagram page. “Y’all need to trust me more often!†His Genie self says on his first scene in the trailer, “You really don’t know who I am? Genie? Wishes? Lamp? None of that ring a bell?†While some of his comments there are somewhat supportive, the rest of social media is just up at arms with the depiction.
It turns out that Will Smith’s #Aladdin Genie will haunt my nightmares
— Rebecca Iannucci (@rebeccaiannucci) February 11, 2019
Will Smith genie is what appears in my room when I have sleep paralysis pic.twitter.com/NzMDOgvkkz
— Jenny Nicholson (@JennyENicholson) February 11, 2019
i'll never sleep again and it's all will smith's fault #aladdin pic.twitter.com/wUL79ZchIG
— Q U I N N (@QuinnKeaney) February 11, 2019
Several of the Twitter rants on Genie Smith paint his CGI look as the stuff of nightmares. Others on the other hand are willing to be patient until the “Aladdin†remake release this May, in the hope that Disney will clean up the special effects. Until then, it looks like this blue guy has also become the stuff of memes.
Visuals look good and I'm glad they made Genie blue. Of course Will Smith has some big shoes to fill but I'll wait to see the film before casting any judgements! #filmtwitter https://t.co/aSRlLXNA2u
— Ryan (@Chizee_Rascal) February 11, 2019