Whatever you thoughts about the news that Disney was making a live action remake of Aladdin are, the latest trailer for the upcoming movie will probably confirm them.
Some fans are impressed to see the new take on the classic animated film, complete with special effects and a huge cast of real actors. Others... have their concerns.
One of the most divisive issues for many fans was the part of the Genie, played by the late Robin Williams in the original film from 1992.
A new trailer, which aired during Sunday night's Grammy Awards, gave us our first glimpse at Will Smith in the new role, and viewers had some strong reactions.
The Genie's blue makeup, which was added in after filming using special effects, has been compared to a Smurf, Arrested Development's Tobias Fí¼nke, and plenty of other characters as critics tore the new trailer apart on Twitter.
"Will Smith's genie is horrifying," one user wrote.
"This looks like a blue version of Shrek," wrote another.
First look at Will Smith as the Genie in the up coming live action Aladdin pic.twitter.com/yFLxrVJXv2
— Xanny DeVito (@trevorstweetss) 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
Smith, meanwhile, just seemed happy that fans had their first look at the completed costume, after behind-the-scenes photos seemed to hint the new Genie would not be blue.
"I told y'all I was gon' be Blue!!" Smith wrote on Instagram. "Y'all need to trust me more often!"
Robin Williams earned a Golden Globe for his portrayal of the Genie in the original film, so regardless of how Smith looks in the new film, he has a tough act to follow.
Smith already told his fans to expect less "mimicking" of famous celebrities than Williams' Genie did, other than a joke he teased about James Brown.
"The thing that will be the major addition from me playing the Genie is the hip-hop base," he told Entertainment Weekly. "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!"
The new take on Aladdin, directed by Guy Ritchie, stars Mena Massoud as the titular thief and Naomi Scott as Jasmine. It hits theaters on May 24.
A new take on Dumbo is also headed to theaters later this year, with Tim Burton in the director's chair and stars like Michael Keaton and Colin Farrell playing alongside the animated elephant. It flies into theaters March 29.
[H/T: Today]
