Will Smith, the beloved actor known for his roles in iconic films such as Bad Boys and Men in Black, has been out of the limelight for quite some time following an altercation at last year’s Oscars ceremony.
However, according to recent reports from The Sun, a British tabloid known for sensationalized news stories, Will Smith may be making his comeback in Disney’s highly-anticipated Aladdin sequel.
While the validity of The Sun’s report remains uncertain, as Disney has yet to officially confirm or greenlight the sequel, it is worth considering the potential for Smith’s return to the franchise.
Scripting the Sequel
The original Aladdin film, released in 2019, starred Mena Massoud as the titular character, Naomi Scott as Jasmine, Will Smith as the Genie, Marwan Kenzari as Jafar, and Numan Acar as Head of the guards Akim.
The first Aladdin film was a financial and critical success, grossing over $1 billion at the global box office. It is likely that Disney will capitalize on this success and move forward with a sequel.
According to reports, a script for the Aladdin sequel has already been written by John Gatins and Andrea Berloff, the team behind 2017’s Power Rangers and Straight Outta Compton respectively. The producers of the first film, Dan Lin and Jonathan Erich are also set to return with their Rideback production banner.
However, it remains uncertain whether director Guy Ritchie will return for the sequel. Ritchie’s involvement in the first film was met with mixed reviews, with some praising his unique visual style and others criticizing his handling of the source material.
Genie-ous Comeback: Return of Will Smith in Hollywood
The Sun’s report suggests that Smith will reprise his role as the Genie in the sequel, with an insider sharing,
“he [Smith] has done a lot of work on himself and the consensus is that it will all be very much in the past by the time the movie is released. So Disney is keen to stand by him and bring him back into the fold.”
Smith’s portrayal of the Genie in the first film was widely praised, with many praising his comedic timing and charismatic performance. His return to the role in the sequel would undoubtedly be met with excitement from fans of the franchise.
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It is unclear whether the entire cast will return for the sequel, but the return of Smith as the Genie would undoubtedly be a major draw for fans of the original film.
While the rumors of Will Smith’s return in the Aladdin sequel should be taken with a grain of salt, the potential for his comeback is certainly exciting. Smith’s portrayal of the Genie in the first film was widely praised, and his return to the role in a sequel would be a welcome addition to the franchise.
Disney has yet to officially confirm the sequel, but it is likely that the financial and critical success of the first film will lead to its greenlighting in the near future. The anticipation for the sequel is already brewing, and with Will Smith’s potential return, it is sure to be a blockbuster hit.
Aladdin is streaming on Disney+.
Source: The Sun