Up until the last few seconds, the consensus was that the first full trailer for the live-action Aladdin was great. The trailer panned over the ornate spires of Agrabah, teased the possibility of a magic carpet, and showed an adorable Aladdin and Jasmine making eye contact.
Then came the trailer's final moments, when Will Smith's Genie made his debut. As the Genie, Smith is filling massive footsteps. Robin Williams' rendition of the Genie in the 1992 animated version of Aladdin remains one of the most legendary comedic performances in movie history. Judging by the brief trailer snippet, Smith's performance might become also iconic — but more for his well, strange appearance than anything else.
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What does this 2019 Genie look like? Smith's genie is ripped, and blue, and seems like he would be at home in the fantastical world of Smith's Netflix "blockbuster" movie, Bright. The Genie looks like a member of the Blue Man Group who discovered CrossFit, or a minor character in a straight-to-TV spinoff of Guardians of the Galaxy. He has large elven ears, and a tuft of hair atop his head and atop his chin. Upon his bare chest rests a necklace. And on his face, a wry expression with nuances filled in by CGI.
Disney's #Aladdin trailer gives the first look at Will Smith as Genie https://t.co/mOJAgNDPSY pic.twitter.com/MxVtXvVFkG
— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 11, 2019
Second to Michelle Obama's appearance during the opening speeches, this Genie appearance might be the biggest surprise of the evening. People were certainly adjusting to this new Genie.
Just saw the #Aladdin preview. Totally sold up until I saw the genie. pic.twitter.com/kqmQ3IMtC3
— Sam (@_SamanthasLife) February 11, 2019
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
Many people are already expecting to dream of the Genie tonight, and not in a good way. The consensus is "nightmare fodder."
It turns out that Will Smith’s #Aladdin Genie will haunt my nightmares
— Rebecca Iannucci (@rebeccaiannucci) February 11, 2019
Will Smith as Genie is straight nightmare fuel @LightsCameraPod pic.twitter.com/c2tyTdQW6t
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) February 11, 2019
Will Smith genie is what appears in my room when I have sleep paralysis pic.twitter.com/NzMDOgvkkz
— Jenny Nicholson (@JennyENicholson) February 11, 2019
Considering we live in a world in which people thirst for Venom, this reaction to Genie is almost surprising. We're optimistic that after Aladdin premieres in its entirety in May, Swole Genie will attract a fervent fan base of his own. Two seconds of a trailer does not a movie make.
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