Yes, this is Will Smith as the genie from Aladdin

Will Smith is playing the genie in Disney's upcoming live-action Aladdin remake.

Maybe he shouldn't.

The first look at Smith's take on the blue genie was released today, and many are wishing it wasn't true.

The internet reacting to Will Smith’s genie pic.twitter.com/gK6ginlrxQ

— Ryan Satin (@ryansatin) February 11, 2019

Will Smith genie looks like a created wrestler from a ps2 wwe game pic.twitter.com/zZv3dKFC69

— James Roque (@jamesroque) February 11, 2019

The film's director, Guy Ritchie, has previously said that he knew Smith would make the role his own, and he wasn't kidding.

"The great thing about the role of the Genie is that it's essentially a hyperbole for who that individual actor is, so it's a wonderful platform and tapestry for an actor to fill his boots on," Ritchie said.

Smith has said he wants his take on the film's genie to have some "hip-hop flavour".

"I started to feel confident that I could deliver something that was a homage to Robin Williams but was musically different," Smith said.

"Just the flavour of the character would be different enough and unique enough that it would be in a different lane, versus trying to compete."

"I think it'll stand out as unique even in the Disney world. There hasn't been a lot of that hip-hop flavour in Disney history."

The new live-action Aladdin is set to be released in 2019.