DISNEY FANS have been given a first look at Will Smith as the genie in the first trailer for Guy Ritchie’s live-action adaptation of Aladdin and they aren’t happy.
The one-minute trailer for the new film, which is out in May, debuted during the Grammys this past Sunday, February 11th.
It’s had a mixed response online though, with many fans underwhelmed at Smith’s version of the genie.
The image of Smith as the big blue genie brought back memories of another colourful movie character for some.
Aladdin, get out of my swamp! pic.twitter.com/pkKHUMfBRj
— GOAT Movies 🎥 (@GOATMoviePod) February 11, 2019
Others were reminded of a 90s gaming icon.
choose your fighter:
goro (mortal kombat) / will smith (#aladdin) pic.twitter.com/NulrYX3PgO— товарищ карлос (@solarc_94) February 11, 2019
The movie and TV references came thick and fast.
Aladdin (2019) pic.twitter.com/0Sn5OAP15o
— Jeauxvaughn (@JeauxVaughn) February 11, 2019
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) February 11, 2019
The new live action Aladdin looks great pic.twitter.com/vLxKEKUqrA
— Katie (@katie_lucy) February 11, 2019
Avatar got a few mentions, of course.
first look at will smith in the avatar sequel pic.twitter.com/f0hMKsOour
— alias (@itsjustanx) February 11, 2019
While there were a few Fresh Prince of Bel Air nods too because, well, this is Will Smith.
Now this is a story all about how,
My lamp got flipped turned upside down,
And I'd like to take a minute, my friend Jafar,
I'll tell you how I become the genie of a town called Agrabah. #Aladdin #Genie pic.twitter.com/FetOBUgaNr— n3rdabl3. (@n3rdabl3) February 11, 2019
It's like the Fresh Prince ended up in Arabia
TFW you can't wish for more Genies pic.twitter.com/VIcQoZubsp— Niche Gamer (@nichegamer) February 11, 2019
It wasn't the only Smith classic to get the nod.
Will Smith is gettin’ Genie with it#Aladdin pic.twitter.com/frf85Qr4oN
— Fandango (@Fandango) February 11, 2019
Some were even calling for an apology. Well, sort of.
When can we expect Will Smith to apologize to the Smurf community for wearing blueface?
— Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) February 11, 2019
It was the stuff of nightmares for some.
i'll never sleep again and it's all will smith's fault #aladdin pic.twitter.com/wUL79ZchIG
— Qᴜɪɴɴ (@QuinnKeaney) February 11, 2019
Will Smith Genie Scares Me #willsmith #aladdin pic.twitter.com/QGspYPkRJd
— Caelan Cavanagh (@caelancavanagh) February 11, 2019
Others were just sad.
left: Aladdin (2019)
right: my reaction to Aladdin (2019) pic.twitter.com/yQrFeXsRYz— Scooby-Doo 2 for the GBA (True Ending) (@shibuyagato) February 11, 2019
Smith's big blue genie wasn't the only element of the new trailer to come in for flack though.
Some fans also took umbrage with the actor playing Jafar or, more specifically, his voice.
I am not a fan of Jafar's voice in the #Aladdin trailer. Where's the menace? pic.twitter.com/OEp262oaAf
— Hanna Ines Flint (@HannaFlint) February 11, 2019
Jafar's voice is trashhhhhh.
— DENNY the VILLAIN🦉 (@DennyVonDoom) February 11, 2019
So they just released Aladdin’s trailer and the voice of Jafar just killed me.
If that man had asked me to get the lamp with that voice, I would have asked if I was his mate and make him go get the lamp 🤣😂— HADIZA (@babypharoah) February 11, 2019
Jafar voice not deep enough
— certified hairy girl (@skyewrita) February 11, 2019
Everyone's freaking out about the Genie while I'm cringing over Jafar's voice. It just sounds off?
I've seen almost all of the new Disney remakes so far and I honestly think they're doing a fantastic job. I definitely think this movie should be given a chance. #Aladdin— Jenmarie (@acrossthestars) February 11, 2019
People are so wrapped up in the genie adaptation, I feel like that awful Jafar voice is getting overlooked. It's just. Ooof.
— Cloves (@ThatGothLady) February 11, 2019
The face of a man who wants the lamp to deepen his voice so he can actually scare people...#Jafar#Aladdin pic.twitter.com/dXjFw7p6jt
— David Wilson (@davidpockets90) February 11, 2019
I laughed SO hard when the new Jafar spoke in the trailer. He’s good looking but has this kind of nasally higher-pitched voice whereas I’m used to creepy, gravelly Jafar.
— Radderss ♿ 🌈 | ➡️ TwitchCon EU (@RadderssGaming) February 11, 2019
......the amount of disappointment I have is unfathomable.... I figured the Genie would be a loss, Aladdin himself is whatever (main character or not). But....to fuck with Jafar....like this?!? Could they not find someone more imposing?! Have a deeper voice?
— Sam Morales (@SithDaddy51) February 11, 2019
Okay so who in the hell cast Jafar like his voice ? He doesn’t sound scary at all and the last scene with the genie skdhsks bye https://t.co/uTmRvn7PpC
— shaye (@harrysdoormatt) February 11, 2019
@Disney Take pretty much everything you've filmed of the new #Aladdin movie, burn it, and bury the ashes. That's truly garbage. Jafar's voice, the Genie, the CGI, to reiterate, are only second rate.
— Dr Simon J Stewart (@si_mcav) February 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/TysonGrayy/status/1094914026272784385
Smith has previously spoken about the differences between his version of the genie and the one made popular by Robin Williams.
T"here’s a little bit less mimicking — there’s a James Brown piece that we do but a little bit less mimicking," he told Entertainment Weekly.
"The thing that will be the major addition from me playing the Genie is the hip-hop base. I think that’ll be fun for people. I think it’ll stand out as unique even in the Disney world.
"There hasn’t been a lot of that hip-hop flavor in Disney history!"
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtuUnAoh8ER/
Aladdin will be released on May 24th, 2019.
