Will Smith is the new Genie in Disney's upcoming live-action Aladdin film. During a recent visit to The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Will explained how at first, he was nervous to take the role since the original Genie was voiced by none other than the late Robin Williams.
"I got presented the idea to play Genie in Aladdin and, you know, the first thing is 'hell no,'" he said of the role. "Robin Williams' smashed that role," he added, detailing how he was trying to figure how he would improve the character. After chatting with directors and having time to think about it, Will took it on and according to Jimmy, Will's "perfect" for it.
During the I Am Legend actor's visit, he also broke out in the new version of "A Friend Like Me" giving audience members a preview of what's to come. "[Questlove] will know this," Will explained before his little performance. "What did it for me when I was messing with the music . . . I had 'em grab 'Impeach the President' by the Honey Drippers and he used the drums."
Aladdin opens May 24th.
