‘Fresh Prince’ Reboot Casts Actor Jabari Banks As Will Smith’s Iconic Role

‘Fresh Prince’ Reboot Casts Actor Jabari Banks As Will Smith’s Iconic Role

A reimagining of the classic 90’s show, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is on the way and has found its prince.

The new version of the culture-changing classic has cast West Philadelphia local Jabari Banks to play the iconic character ‘Will,’ originally played by Will Smith.

Will Smith, who will return as an Executive Producer, personally surprised Jabari yesterday, Aug. 31, with the life-changing news.

Jabari Banks, a recent graduate from the University of the Arts in Philly, said ‘the role was a dream come true,’ while all smiles following the news.

The idea for a reboot sparked after Morgan Cooper created a four-minute trailer of the ’90s sitcom but as a drama. It went viral in March 2019 and captured the attention of fans and Will Smith, who called the concept ‘brilliant.’

Based on Cooper’s video, Bel-Air will be one-hour episodes, set in modern-day America, and follow the complicated life and journey of the Will Smith character from West Philly to Bel-Air.

Fresh Prince of Bel-Air aired in September 1990 and ran for six seasons. This past November, the original cast reunited 30 years later to celebrate the show and all that it accomplished.

The new series will air on Peacock and has already been ordered for two seasons.

What are your thoughts on Jabari Banks being cast as Will Smith? Tell us in the comments.