When Disney released the first TV spot for its live-action remake of Aladdin, many people were wishing the genie might head right back into the lamp he came from.
Last Sunday, Grammy Award viewers caught the first glimpse of Will Smith as the genie in action, and needless to say, it had some mixed reviews.
Will Smith as the genie looks like what one of those kids from the 90’s Fruit Gushers commercials would look like if they never found a cure for their fruit curse.
— Jhonen Vasquez (@JhonenV) February 11, 2019
Twitter was set ablaze with people commenting on the Will’s altered and downright strange appearance.
Comparisons regarding Will Smith’s electric blue portrayal of the Genie, infamously voiced by Robin Williams in the 1992 classic animated film, have ranged from Tobias in Arrested Development to the thumb people in Spy Kids.
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) February 11, 2019
Smith posted on Instagram after a first glimpse at the original look was met with public criticism for not being blue. “I’m gonna be BLUE! This is how the Genie is in Human/Disguise Form. My character will be CGI most of the movie.”
At the very least, this much-anticipated film will surely provide some laughs at Will’s blue expense, but here’s to hoping he also totally kills it in the iconic role.