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Will Smith in Discussions to Play the Genie in Live-Action 'Aladdin'
Will Smith just might be singing “Friend Like Me” in Disney’s upcoming live-action Aladdin film, according to Deadline. The screen star is in discussions to take on the role of the Genie, embodied in the animated film by Robin Williams and originated in the Broadway musical to Tony-winning effect by James Monroe Iglehart. As previously reported, Guy Ritchie looks likely to direct.
Will Smith (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Genie would be a great fit for Oscar nominee Smith, whose career began as rapper The Fresh Prince. John August has adapted the script of the 1992 animated film that follows Princess Jasmine and the young Aladdin after he finds a magic lamp and discovers a Genie inside, who grants him three wishes. The film plans to cast the roles of Aladdin and Jasmine through an open-casting-call process. Filming is set to begin in July to wrap in early 2018.
Click here for the full Broadway.com report published on April 19, 2017.