Will Smith is in early talks to star as the genie in Disney’s live-action remake of “Aladdin,” an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
The actor was previously in early negotiations to star in the studio’s live-action “Dumbo,” but he is no longer attached to the project.
Guy Ritchie (“Sherlock Holmes”) is directing the modern take on the animated classic, which was released in 1992 and featured the voices of Robin Williams, Linda Larkin, Jonathan Freeman and Scott Weinger. The movie followed a young man who was granted three wishes by a genie (Williams) trapped in a lamp.
“Aladdin” was the highest-grossing film of the year in 1992 (grossing $217 million in the U.S. and over $504 million worldwide) and won Academy Awards for Best Score and Best Song for “A Whole New World.”
Dan Lin will produce the live-action version via his Lin Pictures banner. John August wrote the script.
Smith most recently starred in “Suicide Squad” as Deadshot and in “Collateral Beauty,” and will next be seen in David Ayer’s “Bright” alongside Joel Edgerton, Noomi Rapace and Ike Barinholtz.
He is represented by CAA, Overbrook Entertainment and 42 West.