Will Smith’s Genie Unleashed in Early ‘Aladdin’ Footage
CinemaCon: Smith hams it up in first look at anticipated live-action take from Guy Ritchie
Matt Donnelly | April 24, 2018 @ 11:44 AM
Last Updated: April 26, 2018 @ 3:18 PM
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Will Smith’s take on a beloved Disney character came into focus on Tuesday, during the studio’s presentation to U.S. movie theater owners at CinemaCon.
Disney distribution executive Cathleen Taff showed exhibitors a behind-the-scenes package from Guy Ritchie’s upcoming live adaptation of “Aladdin” — the first time anyone has seen Smith step into the role made famous by the voice work of Robin Williams.
“To state the obvious, no one could replicate the iconic performance of Robin Williams,” Taff said.
She described Smith’s performance as “a little ‘Fresh Prince,’ a little ‘Hitch,’ and a whole lot of attitude.”
Smith was living his full Arabian fantasy in the footage, decked out in jewels and robes and sporting a high ponytail on a shiny bald head. He could also be seen in numerous dance sequences, one in full harem drag dancing with scores of women in town square.
It’s unclear when the featurette might be released to the public. We also don’t know what classics and new numbers Smith might sing in the film, thought it’s been reported his deal included new songs.
The majority of footage centered on a Ritchie’s visual concept. The action movie native brings his frenetic pacing to the tale of a hustler who finds a magic lamp and changes his own destiny. Practical stunts included flying off of rooftops and rebounding on the awnings and marketplace stalls of the fictional Middle Eastern city.
The live-action “Aladdin” is set for release on May 24, 2019.
18 Live-Action Disney Movies in the Works After 'The Lion King' (Photos)
Disney will be pumping out live-action versions of its animated classics for a long time to come. Here's a list of titles in the works, including the release date of the original.
The Lion King
This highly anticipated live-action remake of 1994's "The Lion King" will hit theaters is up next, and is Jon Favreau's follow-up to his successful "Jungle Book" remake. Seth Rogen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Donald Glover, Beyonce, Billy Eichner, Keegan-Michael Key and more star.
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Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil Adapted from 1959's "Sleeping Beauty," the first "Maleficent" helped re-energize Angelina Jolie's career and introduced an entire generation to the tale's terrifying villain. Its sequel will hit theaters in October and will also stat Ed Skrein, Michelle Pfeiffer and Elle Fanning. Joachim Rønning directs.
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Mulan This is a particularly anticipated title, which is slated to be released on March 27, 2020. Niki Caro is directing, while Liu Yifei is starring as the title character. Donnie Yen and Jason Scott Lee also star.
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Jungle Cruise
Okay, okay, "Jungle Cruise" might not count as live-action based on a previously animated classic, but it is based on a ride at Disneyland, so we're going to include it. Plus, we'll take any chance to talk about Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt in the same sentence. It will hit theaters in July 2020.
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Pinocchio
Pinocchio is the next up to go into production, with Tom Hanks playing Geppetto.
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The Little Mermaid So now we're getting into films that are in some stage of development but haven't necessarily been slated for release. After all, Disney has so many untitled films slated, it's hard to count. But a live-action version of "The Little Mermaid" has been long discussed, as it is arguably one of the most popular and profitable movies in Disney's vault. Rob Marshall is said to direct, with Halle Bailey set to star as Ariel and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula.
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Cruella Extracted from the famous villainess of 1961’s “One Hundred and One Dalmatians,” this origin story of a woman who declares open season on purebred puppies-- Cruella de Vil -- is set to star Emma Stone. The reigning live-action Cruella is Glenn Close, who herself starred in two live-action adaptations.
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James and the Giant Peach In one of the more interesting adaptations, this beloved Roald Dahl book became a quirky claymation hit for Disney in 1996 with director Henry Selick. Heavy dramatist director Sam Mendes was attached to take a stab at it, but he has since dropped out.
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Rose Red This one is trippy (no pun over producer Tripp Vinson), but promising creatively. In the German fairy tale, Rose Red is Snow White's sister. Disney and Vinson are collaborating on introducing the world to the sibling of the famous apple-loving princess. Disney released the original "Snow White" in 1937.
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Tinker Bell
This movie has also been in the works for quite some time, with Reese Witherspoon attached as the cute little fairy from "Peter Pan."
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Snow White Forget her sister -- the original baddest chick in the Disney animated kingdom is coming back for her own standalone film. It was announced at the end of October 2016.
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Peter Pan Neverland will get a practical set if Disney has its way updating the 1953 animated film.
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The Jungle Book 2 This is a no-brainer follow-up to Favreau's hit from Spring 2016, based on the animated classic released in 1967.
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Oliver Twist While Disney never formally made a direct animated take on Charles Dickens' beloved orphan, they did release the adorable 1988 "Oliver and Company," inspired by Dickens' tale but told with animals. They also made a small-screen live-action version in 1997 with Richard Dreyfuss.
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Lady and the Tramp
Another film that is in some stage of development but has no active release date is "Lady and the Tramp." Tessa Thompson is set to voice Lady, while Justin Theroux is attached to play Tramp. Other cast members include Ashley Jensen, Janelle Monae, Kiersey Clemons, Benedict Wong and Thomas Mann. Charlie Bean is directing.
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Lilo & Stitch
And another film that is supposed to get the live-action treatment and some point. This project was announced in October 2018 with Mike Van Waes attached to pen the script. Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich of Rideback are producing.
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Hunchback
In early 2019, a live-action film based on 1996's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" was announced. Tony-winning playwright David Henry Hwang was tapped to pen the script, with Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz handling the music.
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The studio is raiding its vault to remake classics including “Mulan”
Disney will be pumping out live-action versions of its animated classics for a long time to come. Here's a list of titles in the works, including the release date of the original.
Disney
