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.
17 Live-Action Disney Movies in the Works (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.
"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 -- stars Emma Stone. The reigning live-action Cruella is Glenn Close, who herself starred in two live-action adaptations. It's due in theaters May 28, 2021.
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"Jungle Cruise"
OK, OK, "Jungle Cruise" might not count as live-action film 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 July 30, 2021.
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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 on board direct, with newcomer Halle Bailey set to star as Ariel and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula and Daveed Diggs as the voice of Sebastian the crab.
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"Pinocchio"
"Pinocchio" is also in the works, with Tom Hanks playing Geppetto.
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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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"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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"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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"Aladdin 2"
After the $1 billion-plus box office success of 2019's Will Smith-led "Aladdin," the studio announced in February 2020 that John Gatins and Andrea Berloff would write a sequel.
"Hercules"
Talk about going from zero to hero. The original 1997 retelling of Greek myths was a box office underachiever, but developed a big enough cult following that the studio announced plans for a live-action remake in April 2020, with "Avengers: Endgame" directors Joe and Anthony Russo producing.
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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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"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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"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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"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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"Bambi"
In January 2020, Disney hired Geneva Robertson-Dworet (“Captain Marvel") and Lindsey Beer (“Sierra Burgess Is a Loser,”) to write the script for the live-action remake of the 1942 animated classic.
"Oliver Twist" While Disney never formally made a direct animated take on Charles Dickens' beloved orphan, the studio did release the adorable 1988 "Oliver and Company," inspired by Dickens' tale but told with animals. The studio also made a small-screen live-action version in 1997 with Richard Dreyfuss.
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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. In November, it was announced that Jon M. Chu was in early talks to direct.
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"The Lion King" Sequel
In September, it was announced that Barry Jenkins would direct the follow-up to Jon Favreau's 2019 hit. The logline is being kept under wraps, but Deadline reported that the film will explore the mythology of the other characters throughout Pride Rock, including Mufasa’s origin story.
No release date for the next film has been set, and it’s unclear when production would begin. No cast has been set either.
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The studio is raiding its vault to remake classics including “The Little Mermaid”
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.
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