The genie is now truly out of the bottle. EW released thier newest issue today giving us a look at Will Smith as the beloved genie along with the rest of the cast of Disney’s live-action remake of “Aladdin”.
A first look at Disney’s live-action remake of Aladdin is showing us a whole new world! The cover features Naomi Scott as Jasmine, Mena Massoud as Aladdin, and Will Smith as Genie.
We can show you the world… of Disney’s live-action #Aladdin! Get a shining, shimmering, splendid first look at the reimagined classic in our magical First Look issue: https://t.co/Kwkcdfen5v pic.twitter.com/7NbyiRRcLH
— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) December 19, 2018
Guy Ritchie is directung the film, and told EW about his fresh take on the adaptation from his past directing experience.
“The great thing about the role of the Genie is that it’s essentially a hyperbole for who that individual actor is, so it’s a wonderful platform and tapestry for an actor to fill his boots on,” Ritchie told EW.
26 years after the original films release Will Smith finds himself in the difficult position of bringing back a character that generations know and love.
“Whenever you’re doing things that are iconic, it’s always terrifying,” Smith told EW. “I started to feel confident that I could deliver something that was an homage to Robin Williams but was musically different,” he said. “Just the flavor of the character would be different enough and unique enough that it would be in a different lane, versus trying to compete.”
The original, animated "Aladdin" premiered in 1992 and famously starred the late Robin Williams in a virtuoso vocal performance as the Genie that earned him a Golden Globe. The movie has grossed $504 million worldwide.
"Aladdin" hits theaters May 24, 2019.