SinceBel-Airfirst started airing on Peacock in 2022, there have been many people wondering how the show ties intoThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airand, specifically, just how involved Will Smith is with the reboot. As one of the best sitcoms of its time, due to its cultural impact,The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airintroduced the Banks familyand Will Smith to the world. Decades after the show ended,The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airwas rebooted into a well-received modern drama seriesbased on the same storyline, and filming forBel-Airseason 4(its final season) is now underway.
Bel-Airwas developed after a fan-made video pitchingThe Fresh Princeas a drama show gained attention online. Since its release,Bel-Airhas received a fairly positive response from fans and critics alike, holding an 85% Tomatometeron Rotten Tomatoes.Bel-Airhas a brilliant castwho have embodied the revitalized version of characters seen in the original sitcom, and although Will Smith himself does not star in the show, Jabari Banks plays the fictionalized version of the actor with the same name. That being said, Will Smith is involved with theBel-Airseriesin a different capacity as executive producer.
Will Smith Is An Executive Producer On Bel-Air
Will Smith Helped Morgan Cooper’s Idea To Get Greenlit
Will Smith is an executive producer forBel-Air,among many others, but he is not the creator of the show. Originally, Morgan Cooper uploaded a short fan film on YouTube in 2019 pitching a modern dramaticreboot ofThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airbased on the serious themes seen in the sitcom, which caught the attention of Will Smith online.Highly praising the mock trailer, Will Smith expressed his interest in developing a reboot series with Cooper. This came as a surprise, considering Smith had previously denounced a reboot ofThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airwhile promotingSuicide Squad.
Morgan Cooper’s reimagined gritty drama series appeared to change Smith’s stance on a reboot due to its unique concept
In a 2016 interview withE!News, Will Smith addressed rumors about a possible reboot of the ‘90s sitcom, saying, “I don’t think ever, like pretty close to when hell freezes over,” and adding that “we’re going to leave that one alone.” However, Morgan Cooper’s reimagined gritty drama series appeared to change Smith’s stance on a reboot due to its unique concept, and in 2020,Bel-Airwas officially confirmed.Smith and Cooper executive produceBel-Airalongside many others, and Jada Pinkett Smith’s production company, Westbrook Studios, produces the seriesalong with Universal Television, making Smith a prominent part of the show.
What Will Smith Has Said About Bel-Air
Will Smith Has Praised The Reboot From The Beginning
Prior toBel-Air’srelease in 2022, Will Smith toldDeadlinethat he was “ecstatic” about the reboot show’s pilot episode, saying that “I’ve never put my name on something in this way as an executive producer,” demonstrating a new experience and the scope of commitment for the actor.Smith’s excitement forBel-Air’spilot was evident as he claimed that it “is all the nostalgia you’re going to want” and he couldn’t wait for people to see it. Compared to previous comments on a proposedThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airreboot, Smith’s reaction demonstrated a clear dedication to the project.
Will Smith’s commitment toBel-Airhas not dwindled over the years, as he was still praising the show in 2024, claiming “I watch as a fan,” despite his position as executive producer.The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airwas known for its emotional storylines amidst the show’s comedy, so it makes sense thatBel-Airdraws upon that in its story. In an interview withAccess Hollywoodabout the then-upcoming season 3, Will Smith commented on this, stating that, “I love how they expand and expound upon a lot of the seeds that, you know, we planted. It’s beautiful to watch.”
Why Will Smith Still Hasn’t Appeared In Bel-Air (When Other Fresh Prince Actors Have)
There Are Factors To Consider For A Will Smith Cameo In Bel-Air
Interestingly, although there are quite a fewactors fromThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airthat have returned inBel-Air, Will Smith is not one of them.Vernee Watson-Johnson (Vy Smith), Daphne Maxwell Reid (Aunt Viv), Tatyana Ali (Ashley Banks), and Joseph Marcell (Geoffrey) have all made appearances inBel-Air, creating nostalgia forThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airfans at seeing the iconic actors return. However, their roles don’t feel too on-the-nose as an Easter egg, and they each play a natural part ofBel-Air’soverall story, which are things that would make a Will Smith cameo so difficult inBel-Air.
5 Saddest Episodes Of Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air
The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air could effortlessly go from hilarious scenes to heartbreaking moments and had some very sad episodes with serious themes.
Bel-Airseason 4 including a Will Smith cameomay feel right because it will be the show’s final season, but there are many factors that make it unlikely. As a prolific actor most remembered for his comedy inThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Will Smith appearing inBel-Airwould make waves and could distract viewers from the seriousness of the reboot’s story. Smith’s addition would also be more noticeable than otherThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airactors who were carefully integrated intoBel-Air’sstory and may feel too on-the-nose. Therefore, it’s likely Will Smith will stay off-screen as executive producer.
Bel-Air
Cast
A gritty and more grounded reimagining of the ’90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Bel-Air stars Jabari Banks as Will Smith. After falling afoul of a drug lord and his gang in his native West Philadelphia, Will Smith moves to a gated community in Bel-Air with his wealthy Aunt Vivian (Cassandra Freeman) and Uncle Phil (Adrian Holmes). Not only must Will adjust to his new environment, but he’s also forced to deal with his past to embrace his future.
