Disney is set to continue to explore a whole new world with a sequel to the 2019 live-action version of Aladdin. Guy Ritchie is also planning to step back into the director’s seat for the next chapter. When The Hollywood Reporter caught up with the British director at the Red Sea Film Fest, he was asked about the possibility of having the newly controversial Will Smith reprising his role as the Genie.
Ritchie told The Hollywood Reporter that he wouldn’t hesitate to ask Smith to come back for the next installment.
I’ve never met a more lovely man, and working with him was one of the most wonderful, great experiences I’ve ever had. I never saw anything other than the consummate, generous gentleman. I wouldn’t have any issue casting Will Smith in anything because, as I say, he was just the fucking perfect gentleman.”
Smith had infamously smudged his squeaky clean image when the blockbuster actor slapped comedian Chris Rock at the Academy Awards earlier this year. Since then, he’s been on damage control and attempting to redeem himself in the eyes of the public. Recently, Smith started doing press for his new film, the historical drama Emancipation, which is set to premiere on AppleTV+ on December 9.
The Fresh Prince actor understands if people aren’t ready to watch the film, as he knows the cloud that hangs over it. However, he vouches for the cast and crew’s work on the movie and feels for those who he risked getting overlooked due to his actions. Smith also recently appeared on The Daily Show, where he addressed, “I was gone, dude…That was a rage that had been bottled for a really long time…You just never know what somebody is going through…I was going through something that night…That doesn’t justify my behavior at all.”