Will Smith confirms Genie WILL be blue in Aladdin remake after huge backlash
The 50-year-old actor said the character 'will be CGI most of the movie' after criticism poured in
WILL Smith has confirmed his Genie will be blue after the forthcoming Disney reboot was slammed by fans.
The first image from the reboot of the classic 1992 cartoon caused an outcry when the movie star appeared on the cover of Entertainment Weekly with actor Mena Massoud as Aladdin and Naomi Scott as Princes Jasmine.
Will flashes a huge grin and spreads his arms out wide, dressed in an embellished outfit, but many declared that the photo looked “like a panto”.
Taking to Twitter to discuss it, one fan wrote: “Quite bold of Disney to remake Aladdin as an actual panto.”
Another remarked: “This looks like it’s a cheap ass panto version of Aladdin!!!! #aladdin #disney.”
While another added: “This is so bad. So much worse than Belle and her basic yellow dress. Aladdin looks like trash. Someone call Disney.”
Will has now broken his silence in the comments section on Instagram.
He replied to a fan's comment beneath his picture and said: "I'm gonna be BLUE! :) This is how the Genie is in Human / Diguise Form. My Character will be CGI most of the movie."
Director Guy Ritchie finished shooting in January, but the cast were called back to London in August to reshoot scenes after studio execs watched an early cut.
The Sun revealed that bosses were not pleased with what they saw and decided elements should be reshot.
Additional non-white actors were called in after criticism that white extras were wearing make-up to play Middle Eastern characters.
A movie insider said: "Disney wasn't massively impressed with the first draft and had its cast return to London to reshoot parts of the movie.
"They are eager for it to do as well as last year's Beauty And The Beast, which made over $1billion at the box office. They want it to be respectful and feel authentic, so they cast more Middle Eastern extras for crowd scenes.
“Will Smith also came back for the reshoots because they decided to expand his role as the Genie. Now they are a lot more confident with what they have."
most read in TV & showbiz
Meanwhile, Will told 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 (Williams) didn’t leave a lot of meat on the bone with the character.
“I started to feel confident that I could deliver something that was an homage to Robin Williams but was musically different."
Got a story? email [email protected] or call us direct on 02077824220.
We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.