Disney Producer Explains Why Will Smith Was Perfect For His Role In Aladdin


Disney fans were pretty concerned when Disney introduced Will Smith as the new Genie for its live-action remake of Aladdin earlier this year. The internet criticized the Hollywood A-lister's version of the Arabian Spirit saying that Smith's Genie looked strange or that the actor didn't really seem right for the role.

While the public was skeptical about having Smith as Genie from the start, the creative team behind Disney's Aladdin remake was sure that he was the perfect fit for the role, even from the very start.

ComicBook.com had an interview with Aladdin producer Dan Lin before the film's Digital HD and Blu-ray release, and the publication decided to ask the Disney executive about the decision to cast Smith as the film's Genie. Apparently, Lin couldn't have been more pleased with Smith's performance.

"I mean, we're just so fortunate we got Will," Lin said. "As has been publicized, he passed at first and then he thought about it some more. I think Jaden [Smith] may have influenced him and encouraged his role in this movie, but that's the only way that you can cast this movie, which is with the biggest movie star in the world. And it's a role that is so complex because it requires singing and dancing, high expectations, it requires comedy, it requires drama. It really requires kind of the full skill set of an actor, and he pulled it off. And how he did that was he made it really personal. I think that's the number one overarching theme that everyone brought the movie. They made this movie by bringing their personality to it."

Smith brought a lot of life to the movie. In fact, most of the audience would consider Smith's Genie one of the best elements of the film. Sure, Smith might not have been able to deliver the role like Robin William did when he voiced the character in the original animated movie, but he does bring his own charm and his own charisma to the role. It was Smith's personal touch that helped bring life to the movie.

What did you think of Smith's version of the Genie? Feel free to use the comment section below.

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