The original The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was a timely but very 90s sitcom that launched the screen career of Will Smith. That said, it is one of those sitcoms that could possibly work with a modern makeover.
That’s just what Peacock is doing as the teaser for Bel-Air dropped on November 23. The show will be a one-hour drama based on the popular fan film by Morgan Cooper which got a lot of steam back in 2019.
Cooper’s trailer takes its dramatic inspiration from Ryan Coogler films such as Fruitvale Station and Creed. It even reached Will Smith who loved it and talked with Cooper about creating the almost 3-minute and 40-second trailer.
As a result, it was given the two-season nod in late 2020.
Bel-Air to Give the Fresh Prince a Fresh Coat of Paint
The series will star Jabari Banks as Will and focus more on the titular Fresh Prince’s transition from life in West Philadelphia to Bel-Air. So, it will follow the premise of the original only with fewer comedic shenanigans with Will and cousins Carlton, Hilary, and Ashley, and best friend Jazz.
However, the season/timeline will be changed up a bit. The cast will include Cassandra Freeman as Vivian Banks, Adrian Holmes as judge and Will’s uncle Phillip Banks, Jimmy Akingbola as butler and family friend Geoffrey, Coco Jones as Hilary Banks, Olly Sholotan as Carlton Banks, Akira Akbar as Ashley Banks, and Jordan L. Jones as Jazz.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKYfwATqaBc
As for the “season/timeline” change I mentioned, Simone Joy Jones will play Lisa Wilkes—originally played by Nia Long in season six of the show. It’ll be interesting to see how the show will piece all of this together as the original touched on serious topics such as absentee fathers, interracial relationships, being successful while being ashamed or hiding from one’s roots, escaping street violence, and race.
The 2019 trailer director—Morgan Cooper—will be on board as a director, co-writer, and executive producer alongside Will Smith. Bel-Air will be produced by the Smiths’ Westbrook Studios and released in 2022.
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