When fans learned a live-action remake of Disney’s classic Aladdin would hit theaters, 90s kids far and wife rejoiced. Will Smith reprising the role made classic by late comedic legend Robin Williams also merited a head nod of approval.
But then things got a little weird.
First, it was the Entertainment Weekly cover with the entire cast, which caused the Internet to offer a few critiques, but on Monday (Feb. 11) a proper trailer for the movie was released with a very very blue Will Smith that threw off many.
I thought all these Will Smith pictures of him as a Genie were a meme.
Just seen it’s legit thing from upcoming Aladdin film.
Laughing nervously for him, rewind now this… #Aladdin #WillSmith #genie pic.twitter.com/6YB21QHRsL— Tom (@Tomdevere_) February 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/Lancorz/status/1095025324306427904
To be fair, in the original the Genie was blue, so to stay true to the original it’s only right Smith be blue as well. However, the Internet as usual, showed no mercy.
why does will smith's genie look like he just returned from Dubai? pic.twitter.com/HqWiWvu9SY
— Arshad Wahid (@vettichennaiguy) February 11, 2019
seeing a blue will smith was probably the most scariest sht i've seen this year#Alladin pic.twitter.com/FRH2kyTR5w
— xym?ne (@symonefosho) February 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/Blakes_world1/status/1094915914447896577
For the five of you left on earth who are unfamiliar with the animated film, it takes place in fictional Agrabah about a “street rat” named Aladdin who steals food from the marketplace to survive. One day, he’s met by a shadowy figure, Jafar, who also doubles as the sultan’s trusted adviser. Jafar enlists Aladdin to steal a golden lamp from a mysterious tomb in the desert, but when he fails and is trapped inside, he rubs the lamp, meets the Genie, and is granted three wishes which change his life forever.
Released in November 1992, the film earned 500 million in the domestic box office and went onto to become one of Disney’s most successful and beloved film, spawning follow-ups such as The Return of Jafar and Aladdin and The King of Thieves in which he finally meets his dad.
Now, more than 20 years later the live-action remake, directed by Guy Ritchie, has a lot to live up to. Hopefully, a very blue Will Smith doesn’t deter fans. Aladdin rolls into theaters May 24, 2019.