Bel-Air, the reboot
How many remember Willy the Prince of Bel-Airthe 90s series by Andy and Susan Borowitz starring Will Smith? Well, over thirty years after its release, the series has a reboot. The production house Universal worked with Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith on a new version. It had already been announced that it would not be exactly a comedy like the original, but that the story tends to have a more dramatic. The idea was of Morgan Cooper, which a few years ago had made a trailer, which later started the project that is being carried out. With him, Chris Collins he will take care of the direction and the screenplay.
The release of the series
Bel-Air is the title of the reboot of the very popular US series, which once again tells the story of Will. The protagonist finds himself from West Philadelphia to the well-to-do environment of Bel-Air, with the conflicts and differences he experiences firsthand. The series has already been confirmed for the second season. In the United States, the February 13 on the Peacock video on demand streaming service. The launch of the series in Italy took place on February 15thanks to the spread of Peacock in our country through the platforms Sky and Now. However, the series has not yet been dubbed, due to being released virtually simultaneously with the United States.
The cast and the plot
It was last September when the cast had been made known. The role protagonist of Will was assigned to Jabari Banks. Bel-Air cast also includes: Adrian Holmes (Philip Banks), Cassandra Freeman (Vivian Banks), Coco Jones (Hilary Violet Banks), Olly Sholotan (Carlton Banks), Akira Akbar (Ashley Banks), Jimmy Akingbola (Geoffrey) , L. Jones (Jazz) and Simone Joy Jones (Lisa). The plot remains the same as the original series, with insights on issues of current society. They will be treated prejudices, feelings and various conflictswhich revolve around being a black man in the United States of Americaas well as membership in Social classes different. At the same time, some of that light vibe of the original has been retained.
Cooper’s words
“The series is totally different … You couldn’t make a new version exactly following the original, because it belongs to one specific generation and in a specific context“, explained Morgan Cooper. Regarding the change from the original comedy he said:” If you think about it, there is something much deeper behind it all, “adding that the change of life faced by the protagonist it deserved a separate plot for all the themes that were impossible to explore in a 30-minute sitcom format. The first season consists of three episodeseach of which has a duration of 60 minutes about.
The protagonist’s affinities with the character
As well as Will Smith at the time, even the new protagonist Jabari Banks has some affinity with the character Will. Banks loved basketball but, due to low school grades, he was forced to take a different path. This change led him to start a theatrical journeyfrom a small company with the first performances, up to Bel-Air. Series co-producers TJ Brady and Rasheed Newson, as well as Jada Pinkett Smith, feared Will Smith might prove too protective of the series. original story and do not accept too obvious changes. In the end, the actor willingly accepted the proposed ideas, accepting the new approach given to reboot.
Will Smith on the series and the trailer
The official trailer was published on the Will Smith’s youtube channel last January 10th. The three-minute video shows the difference in perspective with respect to the original sitcom. Will is seen arriving in Bel-Air and meeting the family after some time. With the flow of images we see the reason why the protagonist has been removed from Philadelphia, with a taste of the difficulties that he will face in the new school and family environment. “There pilot episode of Bel-Air it’s a nostalgic journey, I think it will be enjoyable, and there are also parts where you will stand up and clap, and as many parts where it will take your breath away. It is a perfect balance and a total reinvention of this world. It’s a dramatic version of this story. And it will be great. It’s like discovering a new place and feeling at home, it’s a hard thing to do. I can’t wait for people to see it, “said Will Smith.
