News Fresh Prince of Bel-Air being rebooted

[captainkirk]

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/fresh-prince-bel-air-drama-reboot-works-1306799
I guess it was only a matter of time before it got a reboot or a revival. This though looks like a slightly more interesting approach. Basically, it's being reimagined as a drama based on this viral video:

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I'm curious to see how this turns out, and I like how it was an indie film team that came up with the idea, rather than a bunch of executives simply looking for existing IP to milk.

 

[Owain Taggart]

Yeah, I saw this earlier today. It's being rebooted as a Drama, which could be a really interesting direction, and apparently Will Smith is fully behind it.

I didn't realize it was a movie. I imagine they could use this to kickstart a new drama series.

 

[captainkirk]

I didn't realize it was a movie. I imagine they could use this to kickstart a new drama series.

I don't think it's a movie. That trailer was just a hypothetical fan project that happened to get the attention of Will Smith. I'm pretty sure the plan is to go straight to series. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Owain Taggart]

Ok, Well the trailer made it sound like it was going to be a movie. And that said, I guess it could go in any direction. I just wasn't clear if that trailer was the viral video itself or the actual trailer for the real thing.

 

[Kor]

I never got into the original because I don't particularly enjoy sitcoms. The dramatic approach looks intriguing, though.

Kor

 

[Qonundrum]

The original had a great blend of drama and comedy, especially in its first three seasons, but the final three (the "post-actually good-Aunt-Viv era") had a couple great episodes as well.

But so many reboots and remakes and "reimaginings" that just don't work, what's wrong with using the same theme to make something new? Maybe today's younger audiences that like the premise but can't handle early-90s fashions and character archetypes, I guess. Which seems daft, plenty of people of yesteryear when they were their and 20s older shows didn't get scared away because of different styles from even earlier times. I'm sure people will tune in for nostalgia vibes, what else is new?

For once, that's easy to answer: I watched the trailer and I was floored by how robust it was. I'd watch the whole thing with ease. It's really well made. Not since BSG2004 has there been a reimagining that really worked, and TFPoBA included dramatic elements but letting comedy be the forefront. Seeing the drama get center stage and comedy tweaked into something more subdued, and all played to the hilt in that trailer -- it's a reminder of why the occasional reboot can be successful, and they put thought and care into this one for sure. Maybe that's where most reboots don't work, they just rely on nostalgia to be milked (great point @captainkirk !) and don't take an existing idea to really flesh it out in a better or deeper way. It's not an easy task, to say the least.

So yeah, if or when it comes out - I'll be there.

Also, is that the actor who played Jazz in the original? (DJ Jazzy Jeff, as memory serves.) Nice touch.