And the first Aladdin proved to be much more than a kids' movie.
On the heels of 1989’sThe Little Mermaidand 1991’sBeauty and the Beast, Aladdin helped cement Disney’s animation reign.
But before he could tell the story, Ritchie had his own three wishes to fulfill.
WISH ONE: The Genie
From the get-go, Ritchie faced one big and blue issue.
So in stepped one of the funniest forces in entertainment: Will Smith.
“The question is always: Where was there meat left on the bone?
Robin didn’t leave a lot of meat on the bone with the character.”
“I wanted a muscular 1970s dad,” the director says.
Genie…wishes…lamp?
None of that ringing a bell?
Wow, that’s a first."
Ritchie explains that Smith’s Genie is more self-aware.
After all, the Fresh Prince knows how to make an entrance.
“I think it’ll stand out as unique even in the Disney world,” Smith says.
“There hasn’t been a lot of that hip-hop flavor in Disney history.”
Finding Agrabah was the first hurdle; filling it was the second.
The question should be, how sensitive are you towards humans?"
“When you think timeless Disney classic, you’re not really thinking Guy Ritchie,” Smith says.
“But he brings a beautiful edge to the look and feel and imagining of Aladdin.”
