Will Smith is make everyone’s wish come true. The actor has been confirmed to play the role of Genie in Disney’s live-action Aladdin film, and fans are totally freaking out about his new role.
According to Pop Culture, Sean Bailey first announced the big casting news at D23, and revealed that along with Will Smith playing Genie, actor Mena Massound will portray Aladdin, and Naomi Scott will play the beloved Disney princess Jasmine in the live-action movie.
As many fans know, Robin Williams voiced Genie in the animated movie, and instantly made Genie a beloved character in the Disney world. The actor sang the hit song “Friend Like Me,” which fans are hoping that Will Smith will now take over along with the role.
Will Smith shot to fame as a rapper who went by The Fresh Prince, and then with the hit television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Later, Will became one of Hollywood’s hottest leading men. He’s starred in blockbuster films such as Bad Boys, Men In Black, Ali, I Robot, Hancock, I Am Legend, Independence Day, The Pursuit of Happyness, Concussion, and Suicide Squad.
The live-action Aladdin movie is set to start filming this summer and wrap filming in early 2018. Guy Ritchie will direct the movie, which will be Disney’s follow-up to the live-action hit Beauty and the Beast. Along with Aladdin, Disney is also planning a live-action version of The Lion King, which will star Hugh Jackman as Scar, Donald Glover as Simba, Billy Eichner and Seth Roen as Timon and Pumba, and James Earl Jones as Mufasa.
What are your thoughts on Will Smith being cast as Genie in the live-action Aladdin film? Are you excited to watch the movie?
Stay tuned to Hollywood News Daily for the latest news and updates on the live-action Aladdin film as they roll in.
[Featured Image by Flickr]
Emma Taylor 
Sofia Bassett 
Kendra Quinn