The live version of the hit Disney movie Aladdin is approaching and everyone seems to be pretty excited about it, but did you know that when being asked to portray ‘The Genie’ in Aladdin, Will Smith did not want to play the role? Will Smith stopped by ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ with two of his co-stars Mena Massoud who plays Aladdin, and Naomi Scott who plays Jasmine and explained why he almost turned down the role.
Now what makes such a phenomenal actor such as Will Smith want to turn down a huge role such as playing the legendary Genie? As the three stars sat and talked to Ellen about the movie, Will explained that when he received the call of the producers telling him that they wanted him to play the genie, he responded with ..
“Nah man ….” Receiving a huge laugh from the audience and his co-stars as well. He then followed up by saying, “Robin Williams smashed that thing”
Robin Williams played the voice of the genie in the original animated film Aladdin in 1992. Smith went on to say that Robin revolutionized what people can do in movies such as Aladdin. Luckily Will sat and started playing with the music, and it helped him find that hip hop flavor that inspired him to take on the role! Let’s thank the hit song ‘A Friend Like Me’ for that!
Smith noticed that Robin Williams took his stand up persona, and incorporated it into his role of the genie. This gave Will the idea to involve his ‘Fresh Prince’ persona into his role of playing the genie! The Fresh Prince actor plans to leave his signature on the role, but also keep its nostalgic value that Robin Williams has left forever for the Genie of Aladdin.
Will Smith also stated that he will be doing some singing in this film as well!
Who’s excited for the film to be released? Comment below and let us know! Watch a clip of the interview here on JaGurl TV.
