The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The tidings that the upcomingFresh Prince of Bel - Airreboot will not sport a returning Will Smith in the function that made his name is understandably causing disputation . However , despite the absence seizure of Smith , the new version of the hit 90s situation comedy is actually better off without the superstar . While theIndependence DayandMen in Blacksuperstar is an intrinsic part of the series , any reimagining needs to be able to stand on its own two feet without relying on his comportment .
WhenThe Fresh Prince of Bel - Airfirst polish off screens in late 1990 , Smith was still a comparatively unnamed trade good as an actor . The star was then better - known as a rapper , having enjoyed modest winner in the recent fourscore . However , over the course of theoriginal serial publication ' six season , Smith went from recess flesh to bonafide superstar . The show itself was based around a fictionalized variation of Smith living with his wealthy aunt and uncle in the salubrious Californian neighborhood of Bel - Air . episode would frequently juxtapose Smith ’s street - smarts with the sheltered existence of his cousins , specially Carlton ( played by Alfonso Ribeiro ) . The show speedily grew a devoted following and became one of the earned run average ’s biggest strike .
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On the one hand , The Fresh Princeas it was in its first incarnation simply would n’t work with anyone else in the lead role . The fact that the entire premise was base around afictional variation of Will Smithhimself means that it would n’t make any sense for anyone else to be involved . Conversely , however , in order for the new serial to succeed on its own merits , it ’s almost substantive that Smith is n’t involved . Only with a unexampled Fresh Prince to focus on can the reboot step out of the apparition of the original and do something new and interesting with the history .
There are two key reasons whyreplacing Smith was a must for the serial publication . Unlike the original show , the reboot – titledBel - Air – will be a much grittier , more striking retelling of the Fresh Prince story . give this dramatic tonal shift , hiring a new actor for the lead role make perfect good sense . Tonally , seeing Smith try and take the iconically detached - spirited character in a dramatic newfangled direction would be jarring at best and down - right hand weird at worst . This way , the showrunners are free to completely reimagine the narrative .
The second crucial considerateness is the series ' chronology . Since the new version ofBel - Airwill focus on Will ’s roots before arriving at theBel - Aircommunity , it does n’t make sense for the 52 - twelvemonth - older Smith to revisit his character . Visually , the idea of an actor struggling to play a stripling three ten after first take on the part would loosen any signified of dramatic play that the showrunners are seek to foster . By exchange Smith altogether , they can create an altogether original write up that remains just asrelevant as the originalFresh Prince of Bel - Airseries . Even though the idea of ashow without Will Smith will be anathema to some , it ’s clear that it ’s the only way to make this new vision workplace .
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