Aladdin 2019 Trailer Drops And Will Smith's Genie Is Giving People The Blues

The first look at Will in action hasn't impressed everyone.
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Disney has finally revealed the first look at Will Smith in action as the Genie in their new live-action remake of Aladdin – and it’s fair to say fans are divided.

A new trailer for the film dropped during Sunday night’s Grammys, which showed Will as the character made famous by Robin Williams for the first time.

Will Smith as the Genie
Will Smith as the Genie
Disney

Following fans’ fears he would not be blue following the release of an Entertainment Weekly cover released last year, the trailer also confirms film-makers have stayed true to the 1992 animated version of the Genie.

However, his CGI look has not exactly thrilled everyone...

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

I don't know what everyone is complaining about, I think the genie looks great in the new aladdin trailer pic.twitter.com/RGjIAs1szV

— PJ (@kickthepj) February 11, 2019

left: Aladdin (2019)
right: my reaction to Aladdin (2019) pic.twitter.com/yQrFeXsRYz

— 🗝️ Shibuya Cat 🗝️ (@shibuyagato) February 11, 2019

Spot the difference. #Aladdin #Aladdin2019 pic.twitter.com/qIJf9unMQp

— Nathan Eisler (@eisler_nathan) February 11, 2019

I see no difference #Aladdin pic.twitter.com/om449MeyCp

— Komario (@Komario_) February 11, 2019

The trailer also sees Aladdin – played by Mena Massoud – heading in to the magical cave, where finds the famous lamp and meets the Genie for the first time.

There are also glimpses of Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine and Marwan Kenzari as the villainous Jafar.

Marwan Kenzari as Jafar
Marwan Kenzari as Jafar
Disney
Aladdin meets the Genie for the first time
Aladdin meets the Genie for the first time
Disney

From the one-minute trailer, there are at least some fans out there who are still excited to see what the film has in store...

I can’t wait to watch Aladdin. I don’t fancy a lot of the Disney remakes. Most have failed to capture the heart of the original cartoons. This looks good tho. 👍🏽 Please be good.

— Bren (@yagirlbren) February 11, 2019

I personally think #WillSmith will be a great genie in the new #Aladdin movie. It did throw me off at first, but when I watched it over again it looks awesome. I think people are over reacting a little 😂 can’t wait to watch it! pic.twitter.com/um7ra0TPz3

— 𝒦𝓎𝓃𝒹𝒶𝓁 (@KyndalJadeDIY) February 11, 2019

I may not think he’s the right aladdin but I sure as hell am crying I’m so excited https://t.co/35Q3iTMa5H

— kaisa (@kaisasvaler00) February 11, 2019

I’m so excited for the live action Aladdin like I might just cry lmfaoooooooo 🤧😖

— annette (@nevermindbye) February 11, 2019

Im SO excited for Aladdin!!! The trailor is amazing! 😍

— Brendaaa Baby! (@Lakersgrl95) February 11, 2019

Can I just say thank you thank you THANK YOU @disneyaladdin for making Carpet a character and not just a thing!!! Most Aladdin renditions today reduce Carpet to just an object but he is one of the movies most loving characters. I’m so excited!!!!! pic.twitter.com/VEPvzSJyb6

— Nicole Sigrist (@nicole_sigrist) February 11, 2019

Will Smith previously admitted he initially found the task of playing the Genie a daunting one, telling Entertainment Weekly: “Whenever you’re doing things that are iconic, it’s always terrifying. The question is always: Where was there meat left on the bone? Robin didn’t leave a lot of meat on the bone with the character.”

He went on to say he eventually grew confident that he “could deliver something that was an homage to Robin Williams but was musically different”, adding: “Just the flavour of the character would be different enough and unique enough that it would be in a different lane, versus trying to compete.”

Aladdin, directed by Guy Ritchie, is set to hit cinemas in May, and follows a string of live-action Disney remakes, including Cinderella, Beauty And The Beast and Maleficent, a reimagining of Sleeping Beauty.

However, the film has faced some criticism for its casting choices. Some fans left angry when it was announced Billy Magnussen would be cast as a brand new character, Prince Anders, in a move that was labelled unnecessary whitewashing.

Naomi Scott's role as Jasmine has attracted controversy
Naomi Scott's role as Jasmine has attracted controversy
Disney

Others were also unhappy with the decision to cast Naomi Scott - who is of British, Indian and Ugandan heritage - as Princess Jasmine, rather than a woman of Middle Eastern descent.

The live-action version of Aladdin is not the only Disney remake to be released this year, with July seeing an all-star retelling of The Lion King hitting cinemas.

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