‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ Reboot Casts Jabari Banks as Its Young Will
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reboot is coming to Peacock soon with the newly-casted Jabari Banks playing Will. Banks is set to reprise Will Smith’s iconic role based on the original ’90s sitcom.
Praying that the Fresh Prince reboot is just as good as the OG. Out of all reboots I have hope🥺🙏🏽
— Amanda💜 (@amy_shazam) September 1, 2021
Set in current-day America, Bel-Air is an offset drama based on the original The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. During one-hour episodes, the series will look at Will’s journey from West Philadelphia to the mansions of Bel-Air.
The idea came about in 2019 when Morgan Cooper created a viral video re-imagining the sitcom as something darker, grittier. When producers at Peacock saw the video in 2020, they ordered that premise to be made into a two-season series.
Fresh Prince of Bel Air is getting a remake, I’m excited. The new prince is also from west philly 💜
— Angela Rockstar (She/Her/Your Majesty) (@Mrs_ARockstar) September 1, 2021
Still early in his career, Banks has large shoes to fill as he takes on Smith’s iconic role. Though the actor hails from West Philadelphia himself, providing him with a strong connection to the part.
Smith was serving as executive producer on the reboot and was able to be the one who shared the exciting news with Banks.
“It is an absolute pleasure to meet you,” Smith told Banks in a video from Peacock. “From the deepest parts of my heart, I want to say congratulations… you have the role of Will on Bel-Air.”
“This is a dream come true; you don’t know,” Banks replied.
Little else is known about plot details or who else is in the cast. But now that we have our Will, Bel-Air is underway. In the meantime, see the moment Banks learned of his role in the video above.
Writer | @IlanaDavis24
