Will Smith previews his version of 'Aladdin' classic 'Friend Like Me' and it's actually great

Undeniably Will Smith style.
 By 
Shannon Connellan
 on 
Will Smith previews his version of 'Aladdin' classic 'Friend Like Me' and it's actually great
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It's the moment Disney fans are waiting for, and one many are coming at with eyebrows raised — Will Smith's version of "Friend Like Me."

The star of the new live action Aladdin takes on the coveted role of the Genie, one immortalised by the late great Robin Williams.

"Robin Williams smashed that role," Smith told Jimmy Fallon on Monday night, and that Smith himself originally didn't want to touch the role. "Hell no," he said, when first asked. And fair enough, people have had their eyes critically fixed on any Genie footage of Smith from square one.

Nonetheless, what pushed him over the line? Messing around with "Friend Like Me," Smith had the team run the drum beat of The Honey Drippers' 1973 track "Impeach The President" on top.

He gave Fallon a little preview, and while no one can ever really hold a flame to Williams' version, but Smith's version is undeniably his.

Aladdin opens May 24.

A photo portrait of a journalist with blonde hair and a band t-shirt.
Shannon Connellan
UK Editor

Shannon Connellan is Mashable's UK Editor based in London, formerly Mashable's Australia Editor, but emotionally, she lives in the Creel House. A Tomatometer-approved critic, Shannon writes about entertainment, tech, social good, science, culture, and Australian horror.


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