Logan Steele
Will Smith's portrayal of the Genie in Disney's live-action remake of Aladdin received mixed reactions from fans, with many commenting on his appearance. Some criticised the CGI used to make Smith appear blue, while others body-shamed the actor, with one person stating that the CGI made Smith look fat. However, others defended Smith's appearance, questioning what people expected from a live-action Will Smith as the Genie. Smith's portrayal of the Genie was always going to be challenging, as he had to follow in the footsteps of Robin Williams, who voiced the character in the beloved 1992 animated version.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Blue |
| Flesh-toned | |
| Body type | Muscular |
| Fat | |
| Jacked | |
| Face | Real face |
| Ears | Big |
| Forehead | Large |
| Beard | Bushy little knot |
| Hair | Bald with a ponytail |
| Eyes | Large |
| Belly | Protruding |
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What You'll Learn
Will Smith's CGI muscles in Aladdin
Will Smith's portrayal of Genie in Disney's live-action remake of "Aladdin" sparked varied reactions from fans, with some criticising the use of CGI to alter his appearance. Smith's Genie was designed to be blue, similar to the animated Genie in the 1992 original, voiced by Robin Williams. However, the choice to make Smith's Genie blue proved controversial, with some viewers describing it as horrifying and weird.
The CGI used to create Smith's blue Genie was particularly criticised for appearing awkward and "not completely polished". Some viewers felt that the CGI made Smith look fat, with one person commenting that it resulted in "a weirdly animated body with a real face". Smith's Genie was also noted for its muscular physique, thick biceps, and detailed six-pack, which seemed at odds with being trapped in a lamp for thousands of years.
The live-action Genie's appearance sparked a range of reactions on social media, with some expressing confusion and dismay, while others questioned the choice of Smith for the role, given the challenge of following Robin Williams's iconic performance. However, it's worth noting that Smith's Genie also had supporters who recognised the difficulties of recreating such a beloved character.
In the film, Smith's Genie is not always blue. After leaving the Cave of Wonders, Genie often assumes a human form, appearing as a regular guy with a ponytail and goatee. This human form allowed Smith to differentiate his portrayal from Williams's over-the-top interpretation, offering a more relaxed and charming take on the character.
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![Aladdin Live Action 2019 [Blu-ray] [Region Free]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81otJscAB8L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Aladdin (Two-Disc Special Edition) [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/A1dnz5LQ2YL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Aladdin [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81DHrnhZ6ML._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The Genie's muscular appearance
One person commented on the juxtaposition of Smith's "real face" with the animated body, stating that it "lands smack dab in the middle of uncanny valley". Another Twitter user said: "Why is a blue person so damn jacked?".
Smith's Genie was inspired by a "muscular 1970s dad", according to director Guy Ritchie. In the film, the Genie is seen in human form for much of the movie, with Smith sporting an ornate ponytail and goatee. This human form allowed Smith to differentiate his portrayal from Robin Williams's original performance, creating a more "chill" version of the character.
Despite the criticism of the CGI, some fans defended Smith's appearance, with one person asking: "I’m confused. What else would a live-action Will Smith as Genie look like?".
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Smith's body shaming as the Genie
Will Smith's portrayal of the Genie in Disney's live-action remake of "Aladdin" sparked a range of reactions, with some people body-shaming the actor. The initial stills and trailers featuring Smith as the Genie caused controversy among fans, who had strong opinions about his appearance.
Some viewers commented that the CGI used to turn Smith into a big blue Genie was awkward and made him look "fat," with big ears, a giant head, and an out-of-proportion body. They criticized the combination of a real face with a computer-generated body, resulting in an uncanny valley effect. Others compared the blue Genie to a "Smurf on steroids," questioning the dye job and overall aesthetic choices.
Smith's initial non-blue appearance in the film's early promotional materials also sparked backlash, with fans expressing outrage at his flesh-toned portrayal of the Genie. This prompted Smith to assure fans that he would indeed be blue in the film, like the original 1992 Genie voiced by Robin Williams.
However, when Smith's blue Genie was revealed during the Grammy Awards, it continued to divide opinions. Some viewers found it horrifying, with features like large ears and an infinite forehead, intensifying the fear factor. The live-action Genie's muscular physique, complete with a six-pack and thick biceps, stood out, especially considering the character's prolonged confinement in a lamp.
Despite the body-shaming and mixed reactions to Smith's Genie, it's important to acknowledge the challenges of adapting a beloved animated character into live-action. Smith's interpretation aimed to differentiate itself from Williams's iconic portrayal, opting for a more relaxed approach while navigating the complexities of CGI and visual effects.
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Robin Williams vs Will Smith as the Genie
Robin Williams' Genie in the 1992 animated film "Aladdin" is one of the most iconic Disney characters ever created, thanks to Williams' infectious performance and ad-libbed lines, filling the character with frenetic slapstick energy and fourth-wall-breaking jokes. When Disney announced a live-action remake, fans were concerned about the casting and treatment of the beloved Genie character. Will Smith, who took on the challenging role, admitted that he was fearful of trying to add to Robin Williams' portrayal.
Smith's Genie received mixed reactions. Some criticised the CGI used to turn Smith into a big blue creation, finding it awkward and uncanny. Others felt that Smith was trying too hard to copy Williams' inimitable performance. However, when Smith was allowed to put his own mark on the character, his performance shone through. For example, Smith's Genie raps and sings his way through the song "Friend Like Me", infusing it with a hip-hop flavour that harkens back to his early days as a hip-hop star. Smith's Genie also falls in love with a new character, Dalia, adding a new layer to the story.
While Robin Williams' Genie is undeniably iconic, Will Smith's portrayal in the live-action remake of "Aladdin" manages to stand out as unique, especially when he is allowed to step out of Williams' shadow. Smith's Genie brings a chill vibe and a focus on maximising his time out of the lamp, offering a different take on the character that pays homage to Williams while adding something new.
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Smith's blue Genie look
The live-action remake of Aladdin saw Will Smith play the Genie, a beloved character first played by Robin Williams in the 1992 animated version. Smith's Genie was blue and muscular, with a bald head, a bushy beard, and a ponytail.
The blue Genie look was a source of controversy for some fans, who were initially outraged when Smith appeared in his normal skin tone in early promotional images. However, Smith assured fans that he would indeed be blue in the film, like the original animated Genie. When the first trailer featuring Smith's blue Genie was released, it caused a stir, with some viewers expressing horror and others commenting on the “uncanny valley” effect of the CGI.
Despite the mixed reactions to his appearance, Smith's portrayal of the Genie brought a new dynamic to the character, making him "a lot more chill" and focused on maximizing his time out of the lamp. Additionally, Smith's Genie had a love interest in the form of Princess Jasmine's handmaid, Dalia, a new character created for the 2019 iteration.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Smith's Genie in Aladdin is blue because the character was blue in the original 1992 animated film, in which Genie was voiced by Robin Williams.
The director of Aladdin, Guy Ritchie, said that the Genie's look was inspired by a "muscular 1970s dad".
The reaction to Will Smith's Genie has been mixed. Some fans were outraged by Smith's flesh-toned appearance in early images, while others were horrified by his blue CGI appearance in the trailer.
After early images of a non-blue Genie caused an uproar, Will Smith assured fans that he would be blue in the film.
