Even though the idea of a show without Will Smith will be anathema to some, it's clear that it's the only way to make this new vision work. By replacing Smith altogether, they can create an entirely original story that remains just as relevant as the original Fresh Prince of Bel-Air series. Visually, the idea of an actor struggling to play a teenager three decades after first taking on the role would undo any sense of drama that the showrunners are trying to foster. Since the new interpretation of Bel-Air will focus on Will's roots before arriving at the Bel-Air community, it doesn't make sense for the 52-year-old Smith to revisit his character. The second important consideration is the series' chronology.
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This way, the showrunners are free to completely reimagine the narrative. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from September 10, 1990, to May 20, 1996. Tonally, seeing Smith try and take the iconically free-spirited character in a dramatic new direction would be jarring at best and down-right weird at worst. Unlike the original show, the reboot – titled Bel-Air – will be a much grittier, more dramatic retelling of the Fresh Prince story. Given this dramatic tonal shift, hiring a new actor for the lead role makes perfect sense. There are two key reasons why replacing Smith was a must for the series. Only with a new Fresh Prince to focus on can the reboot step out of the shadow of the original and do something new and interesting with the story.
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Conversely, however, in order for the new series to succeed on its own merits, it's almost essential that Smith isn't involved. The fact that the entire premise was based around a fictional version of Will Smith himself means that it wouldn't make any sense for anyone else to be involved. On the one hand, The Fresh Prince as it was in its first incarnation simply wouldn't work with anyone else in the lead role. Related: Fresh Prince's Aunt Viv Controversy Explained: What Really Happened The show quickly grew a devoted following and became one of the era's biggest hits. Episodes would frequently juxtapose Smith's street-smarts with the sheltered existence of his cousins, especially Carlton (played by Alfonso Ribeiro). The show itself was based around a fictionalized version of Smith living with his wealthy aunt and uncle in the salubrious Californian neighborhood of Bel-Air.
As the shows popular theme song explains. However, over the course of the original series' six seasons, Smith went from niche figure to bonafide superstar. The Fresh Prince of BelAir (19901996) Will Smith more or less plays himself in this good-natured NBC sitcom. The star was then best-known as a rapper, having enjoyed modest success in the late 80s. When The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air first hit screens in late 1990, Smith was still a relatively unknown commodity as an actor. While the Independence Day and Men in Black superstar is an intrinsic part of the series, any reimagining needs to be able to stand on its own two feet without relying on his presence.
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However, despite the absence of Smith, the new version of the hit 90s sitcom is actually better off without the superstar. Stream It Or Skip It: 'Santa Inc.The news that the upcoming Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reboot will not feature a returning Will Smith in the role that made his name is understandably causing controversy. Stream It Or Skip It: 'Silent Night' on AMC+, Last Call for Holiday Cheer Before the Apocalypse Where to Watch ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ Online In 2021