There Is a ‘Fresh Prince’ Spinoff in the Works

Will Smith is developing a Fresh Prince of Bel-Air spinoff under Westbrook, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s company.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air originally aired on NBC on September 10, 1990. Its series finale aired May 20, 1996. The show stars  Smith as a fictional version of himself, a teenager from Philadelphia who is sent by his mother to live with his wealthy uncle and aunt in their Bel Air home after a small altercation.

Will Smith is reportedly developing a Fresh Prince of Bel-Air spin-off https://t.co/umJMdr9zEv

— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) October 10, 2019

For some time now the original members all denied any possibility of a reboot. In a 2015 interview with Alfonso Ribeiro; who played Carlton, Will’s cousin, confirmed that he was not involved with any talks about a series revival/reboot. He also stated that “Without James Avery, you have no Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Avery played Will’s rich uncle on the show; however, tragically passed in 2013, from complications following open-heart surgery.

The inspirational show has always touched on very sensitive topics. such as when Will is visited by his father Lou, played by Ben Vereen, in Season Four. Lou manages to charm everyone, especially his son, who has always desired a relationship with his father. Lou gets Will’s hopes up, only to back out at the last minute because he’s unable to accept any responsibility. In the final moments of the episode, Will tearfully asks Uncle Phil, “How come he don’t want me, man?,” before Uncle Phil embraces him. This was the highest-ranking episode on the show and had even the cast in tears after production.

Almost twenty years later, Will Smith reflects on the moving scene recalling the memories of James Avery pushing him to give his most moving performance.

There has been no word from Smith or Westbrook on a release date for the nostalgic project but in the area of reboots and spin-offs, this moving yet comical show would sure receive heavy support as their topics have always been relevant, even now.