ALADDIN: First look at the Aladdin cast

[Darth Knox]

Here's our first look of Will Smith as the genie, Aladdin and Princess Jasmine in the live action Aladdin. Thoughts?

[Infinit01]

Looks good, can't wait to see it

[Darth Knox]

Looks good, can't wait to see it

Now, I know this photo is totally out of context and probably not indicative of the final look of him in the film, but I am not digging Will Smith as the genie. I doubt anyone would be able to step into Robin William's shoes and Will Smith is as good a pick as anybody I suppose, but this photo has done nothing to elevate my interest in this movie. Financially I have no doubt it will do well, but so far my feelings are "meh".

Now, The Lion King on the other hand......

[Darth Tepes]

Aladdin- Spot on IMO
Jasmine- I can see it, but need to see her in action so to speak to say yay or nay
Genie-  Um.......hmmm........

[Darth Knox]

Aladdin- Spot on IMO

Agreed

Jasmine- I can see it, but need to see her in action so to speak to say yay or nay

Agreed. Although, I don't know if you watch any Collider videos on Youtube. They used to have a host called Ashley Mova who would be PERFECT as Jasmine.

Genie-  Um.......hmmm........

Agreed x2

[scifidude79]

That image of Will Smith will haunt my dreams.

The other two look great, though.

[Darth Tepes]

The consensus does seem to be Will Smith doesn't seem to be a good fit for the role.  Apparently this is just his human form, he will have a Blue Cgi Jinn form......

[Darth Knox]

Apparently Will Smith has tweeted out that he will be blue and CGI in the movie. However, the negative reactions people are having to him in this photo goes back to what I originally said when it was announced they were making this movie: they are damned if they do and damned if they don't. You absolutely positively CANNOT replicate what Robin Williams brought to the role in the original. And if they try people will complain that it is a poor imitation. If they change things about the genie and go in a completely new direction, people will complain because it's not Robin Williams.

Out of all the live action version Disney are doing, this is the one they should have stayed away from, because the fond memories and success of the animated version is massively and intrinsically linked to what Robin Williams did. At the time it was considered "stunt casting" having him voice the genie. But the success of the movie changed things forever. There are now hundreds of voice over actors/actresses who miss out on work because studios now just cast famous actors/actresses to do voice work in animated movies. But that's a topic for another time.

As I said earlier, I think this movie will financially be okay. However I foresee a lot of audience negativity. And that is unfair to Will Smith, because he's a likeable personality, funny and can go dramatic with his acting when he needs to. But this role is s thankless task.

[scifidude79]

He'd better be blue at some point. Normally, skin color doesn't matter to me, but the genie was blue originally, so he needs to be blue again. There are just some things you don't change.

I agree, they should have stayed away from this movie. Hell, they probably could have dropped the original back in theaters for people who were kids when it came out to take their kids to, and it would likely make money. But, a remake? We'll see.

[Darth Tepes]

Apparently Will Smith has tweeted out that he will be blue and CGI in the movie. However, the negative reactions people are having to him in this photo goes back to what I originally said when it was announced they were making this movie: they are damned if they do and damned if they don't. You absolutely positively CANNOT replicate what Robin Williams brought to the role in the original. And if they try people will complain that it is a poor imitation. If they change things about the genie and go in a completely new direction, people will complain because it's not Robin Williams.

Out of all the live action version Disney are doing, this is the one they should have stayed away from, because the fond memories and success of the animated version is massively and intrinsically linked to what Robin Williams did. At the time it was considered "stunt casting" having him voice the genie. But the success of the movie changed things forever. There are now hundreds of voice over actors/actresses who miss out on work because studios now just cast famous actors/actresses to do voice work in animated movies. But that's a topic for another time.

As I said earlier, I think this movie will financially be okay. However I foresee a lot of audience negativity. And that is unfair to Will Smith, because he's a likeable personality, funny and can go dramatic with his acting when he needs to. But this role is s thankless task.

I like Will Smith, but, as stated, I just don't think he's right for this role.  I really wish they would stop these live action remakes to be honest.  Sword in the Stone is supposed to be in the works and that is my favorite Disney animated film...so I'm anxious to see what becomes of it.  Agreed on the voice actors getting pushed out in favor of stars.  One of the many reasons I loved the Peanuts movie, it cast kids and not big name stars.

[Darth Knox]

If this was an animated movie, the only person I can think of who could do a good job that would be funny yet different to Robin Williams is Jim Carrey circa 1994 (obviously not him now). But live action, there is no-one.

This costume reminds me a little of the genie in a Ray Harryheusen movie I watched as a kid (one of the Sinbad movies I think).

[Darth Tepes]

If this was an animated movie, the only person I can think of who could do a good job that would be funny yet different to Robin Williams is Jim Carrey circa 1994 (obviously not him now). But live action, there is no-one.

This costume reminds me a little of the genie in a Ray Harryheusen movie I watched as a kid (one of the Sinbad movies I think).

LOL  I was thinking the same thing....

[Darth Knox]

LOL  I was thinking the same thing....

About the costume?

[scifidude79]

This costume reminds me a little of the genie in a Ray Harryheusen movie I watched as a kid (one of the Sinbad movies I think).

Ha! Love those movies. (just got some Harryhausen movies on Blu-Ray in the mail yesterday) Ray Harryhausen was the king of stop motion. But, yeah, by today's standards, not quite making it.

[Taegin Roan]

We'll see.