Is Will Smith taking over Robin Williams' Genie role in the Aladdin remake?

Actor Will Smith is in early talks to play the Genie in Disney’s live-action Aladdin movie.

As Genie, the 48-year-old star would follow in the footsteps of Robin Williams, whose performance in the original 1992 animated film helped propel it to box office success and critical acclaim, reported Entertainment Weekly.

Sherlock Holmes director Guy Ritchie is helming the new Aladdin movie, working from a script by John August.

The project comes amid a wave of beloved Disney toons being remade as live-action movies. The Beauty and the Beast remake starring Emma Watson recently crossed the coveted $1 billion mark at the box office.