Why Bel-Air season 4 with a Will Smith cameo would be a bad idea

While Bel Air is based on Will Smith’s original sitcom, The fresh prince of Bel-airHaving the famous actor cameo in season four would be a mistake. As of 2022, Bel Air It was a grittier take on the 1990s comedy About an out-of-place teen who goes to live with his sophisticated family in Bel-Air, California. Bel-Air S The new cast honors the original characters and revisits some moments from the original show but through more realistic, grounded lenses.

As with many reboots, Bel Air Has many of the same characters as the original, now reimagined to fit the grittier and more dramatic tone of the show, and explore deeper themes. In the last three seasons, many of the original Fresh Prince Actors commode in the Bel Air Reboot, giving a nod to the original show. however, The original “Fresh Prince” has yet to appearAnd it may be for the best.

A Will Smith cameo in Masterpiece Season 4 would feel too on the nose

It would be difficult to incorporate such a large cameo naturally

While it worked well when the other actors came back in Bel AirIt would be too distracting if Smith returned. The other actors, although necessary to the original, are well incorporated into the darker tone of the new plot. Smith’s addition would be too notable and stand out among the restTaking away from that tone and focus that the new show has worked hard to curate. Plus, the fact that Fresh PrinceThe main character of the actor was always named Will Smith would draw even more attention to the cameo of the actor. It runs the risk of making Bel Air Also meta.

Even without appearing on the show, Smith is still involved Bel AirWorking as an executive producer. He was a major proponent of making the show, helping co-creator Morgan Cooper gain traction in his idea of ​​the retelling. As executive producer, Smith could have acted in the last few seasons of the show but chose not toPerhaps in his best interest. The show has already proven it can thrive without Smith’s physical presence and can continue to do so without season four featuring a cameo.

Bel-Air’s tone is very far removed from Will Smith’s Fresh Prince

The serious drama no longer matches Smith’s original comedy

The tone of Bel Air is decidedly different from the original comedy. It takes a more gritty and tense approach, reimagining the story as a drama with grounded characters and situations. The new show tackles more serious issues like identity, privilege and mental health. While Fresh Prince had its powerful and heartfelt momentsIt was mostly a fish-out-of-water sitcom, leaning on light-hearted comedy as Smith’s character interacted with his upper-class family.

Smith’s appearance could destroy that note Bel Air has cultivated over the last three seasons, subconsciously making the audience think of his comedic performance in the original. Chances are, Smith’s on-screen appearance would end up being much more of a cheap nostalgia than a natural fit for the show’s narrative and tone. Although Smith is no stranger to dramatic acting, his previous associations with the franchise were primarily comedic. Bel-Air S Deep and serious tone risks being derailed By recalling Smith’s previous comedy performance as the original character.

Will Smith’s Bel-Air cameo would draw attention away from everything else in the episode

The show’s momentum would be halted by Smith’s appearance

Despite the apparent inspiration, the show has adopted a new format and fan base. Bel Air Has worked hard to separate from her original, and create new tones and storylines. This includes Will Smith’s father Lou returning and Will’s love of basketball being more than a hobby. Smith’s appearance would detract from the important story building In the episode and throughout the season and show, potentially drawing attention away from critical plot points and changing the highly-curated tone.

Whereas Fresh Prince was an episodic comedy, with each episode able to be viewed without much context, Bel Air is a serialized showMeaning each episode builds on the last. Introducing Smith as a character would mean his storyline would likely span several episodes instead of as a one-off appearance. That would mean creating a new character and potentially an entirely new story arc to support the desire to see Smith, as a minor appearance wouldn’t do the cameo or the character’s legacy justice.

Knowing that the new show is based on Smith’s original, fans would have specific expectations for the cameo, expecting him to bring the same comedy and light-hearted energy. however, Bel Air has worked hard to create new storylines and personalities based on the original characters, and Smith’s presence could make it challenging to maintain the show’s current narrative momentum.