The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is officially getting a new reboot! As People reports, NBC's streaming network Peacock has picked up the show, which will take the classic '90s sitcom in a totally different direction!
Fresh Prince drama series pickup comes after fanmade trailer
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reboot originated in a unique way! Back in 2019, cinematographer Morgan Cooper posted a concept trailer to YouTube which saw the comedic series reimagined as a serious social drama called Bel-Air. Although the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air dramatic reboot has been in the works for some time now, it was just announced on Tuesday that Peacock will be giving it a home!
Will Smith— who starred in the original Fresh Prince of Bel Air and will be producing the reimagined reboot— took to YouTube to share the exciting news! "I've been in this business for 30 years and that does not happen," Smith said while on a call with Cooper and Chris Collins, who will be executive producing the show. "They ordered two full seasons of Bel-Air based on the quality of the pitch and the work that you guys have done."
Bel-Air creator says the show is "going to surprise people"
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air's new reboot will be a darker, grittier drama. Peacock said in a press release that the show is a "serialized one-hour dramatic analogue of the '90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air that leans into the original premise: Will's complicated journey from the streets of West Philadelphia to the gated mansions of Bel-Air."
"With a reimagined vision, Bel-Air will dive deeper into the inherent conflicts, emotions and biases that were impossible to fully explore in a 30-minute sitcom format," the press release continues, "while still delivering swagger and nods to the original show."
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As People goes on to say, Bel-Air is "set in modern day and highlights serious issues, such as police brutality, gang crime and wealth inequality." Cooper is excited for people to see this newly imagined version of the show. "There's so many layers to these characters," he revealed. "We're really going to peel back the layers of these characters and explore this world in an unforgettable way. It's a show that's really going to surprise people in the best way possible."
Fresh Prince reboot creator feels the show was "destined"
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air has a childhood nostalgia to it for Cooper, who revealed to Smith how the idea for Bel-Air came about. "I was driving on 71 in Kansas City and I was just thinking about the show," he explained. "It's a show that we all grew up with, all '90s kids. It's a part of our life. I drove under this overpass and when I came out the entire world just hit me all at once."
"The vision just became so clear, and I was like 'I have to make this.' It's an idea that came straight from the heart," Cooper continued. "Two years later to be walking in this journey together with you [Will] and Chris is not only a dream come true, but it's something that I honestly feel was destined."
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As People shares, Smith's Westbrook Studios will produce Bel Air along with Universal Television. Collins has been named showrunner, and will executive produce the series with Cooper, who will also co-write and direct. And while it's not clear if any of the other Fresh Prince cast members will be involved in the reboot, they're taking part in a reunion special for the show's 30th anniversary! We're looking forward to seeing what comes of both these projects!
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