The The six-season NBC sitcom surrounding a fictionalized version of Smith might have stopped airing new episodes in 1996, but over the decades, has garnered even more popularity. And the story about Will, a West Philadelphia teenager who moves in with his wealthy relatives in Bel-Air, is getting a darker update with the reboot.
The reboot came about after a viral video from filmmaker Morgan Cooper reimagined the sitcom as a drama. Will's complicated journey takes the teenager from his original home to the wealthy Los Angeles neighborhood. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reboot will take on a dramatic, more realistic focus, showcasing the reality of being Black in America in the 21st century. Peacock immediately gave the idea a two-season order in September 2020.
And now the show has found its new Will, according to Variety. In a video posted by Peacock to YouTube, Smith gave newcomer Jabari Banks the good news that he'd been selected for the titular role via a video call. Banks, who actually lives in West Philadelphia, was ecstatic to hear the news, especially from the original Will. "I'm ready. I'm so ready," Banks said in delight. Banks graduated from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia in 2020. He's an actor, songwriter, singer, rapper, and basketball player, so a bit of a jack of all trades like Smith. Check out the video of Banks receiving the news below.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reboot has been pushed back a bit, as showrunners initially were aiming for a 2021 deadline. However, Peacock recently parted ways with showrunner Chris Collins to take a new creative direction, pushing back the release to 2022. Now, Cooper is set to serve as co-writer, director, and executive producer while T.J. Brady and Rasheed Newson will serve as co-showrunners. Smith is also involved as an executive producer, so it's sure to echo the sentiment of the original, with an entirely different tone.
Banks' first role as Will in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reboot is sure to be a resume-maker. And considering the original series helped launch Smith's acting career after his stint in music, it seems as though it could do the same for Banks. Banks' role in the new The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air will be dramatic and likely filled with several emotional scenes, unlike Smith's goofy sitcom character in the original.
Source: Variety; Peacock/YouTube
