Disney has successfully brought to life talking jungle animals and dancing silverware in their live-action remakes of classic animated films, but Aladdin has always seemed like it would be their biggest challenge. How do you bring to life a giant, floating blue genie? Now we have an idea, as new images from the film have given us our first look at Will Smith‘s genie. Let’s just say he looks very different from the character Robin Williams voiced.
Entertainment Weekly‘s new inside look at the film includes the first official images of Smith, whose genie isn’t rotund or blue (yet). In this form the ponytailed Smith looks like a human cosplaying as either a genie or a stylish pirate, but this isn’t his normal look. Smith clarified on his Facebook page, saying, “Yes, I’m gonna be BLUE! This is how the Genie is in Human/Disguise Form. My character will be CGI most of the movie.” However, they still haven’t finalized how he will look floating in his lamp, which director Guy Ritchie said will look like a “muscular 1970s dad.”
disney’s live-action aladdin y’all pic.twitter.com/xrKYZsfhUd
— captain* (@iamgeekingout) December 19, 2018
In addition to a better look at Mena Massoud’s Aladdin, who we saw in the first teaser, these images also give us our first look at Naomi Scott’s Princess Jasmine, who is getting a friend this time around. While her pet tiger Rajah will still be on hand, Nasim Pedrad will play the new character Dalia, “Jasmine’s handmaiden and best friend who helps Jasmine navigate the suitors attempting to win her hand.”
We also now know what Marwan Kenzari’s Jafar looks like, and he’s still plenty menacing. Fortunately Abu might be more adorable than ever.
EW also shared a behind-the-scenes video showing the film’s brightly colored sets that should make fans of the original happy.
Exclusive: Go behind-the-scenes of Disney’s live-action #Aladdin with Will Smith, @MenaMassoud, and @NaomiScott: https://t.co/iXVob3Ef75 pic.twitter.com/iYVla9ibgw
— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) December 19, 2018
Some of these images look gorgeous, but obviously one look stands out. Fortunately the movie doesn’t come out until May 24, 2019, so we have plenty of time to get used to the idea of Will Smith’s in-shape genie.
Featured Image: Disney
