Is a reboot of the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” finally happening?
A new photo shared by a cast member of the iconic TV series on Instagram has sent some fans in a frenzy. CBS said Alfonso Ribeiro, who played Tom Jones-loving cousin Carlton on the 1990s sitcom, shared a photo of himself with the rest of the show’s cast, including Will Smith.
The photo came in with a caption that read, “Always amazing to spend an afternoon with my Fresh Prince family. Wishing that James Avery was still with us to make this complete.”
Along with Ribeiro and Smith, posed with co-stars Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Daphne Reid and Joseph Marcell. Avery, who played Uncle Bill in the series, died in late 2013.
TV reboots have gained momentum for some of 1990s’ best TV series, Vanity Fair observed. “Fuller House” and “Gilmore Girls” are both enjoying revivals on the small screen. However, Smith, who has long been rumored to back up a “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” reboot has since shut down the rumors.
TVLine first reported that the superstar was supposedly in very early stages” of developing a reboot, and will be coming on board instead as an executive producer. The purported reboot will be “a present-day family comedy that puts a new spin on the fish-out-of-water tale while maintaining the spirit of “Fresh Prince”,” and that Smith’s production company, Overbook Entertainment, will “begin shopping it around in the coming weeks.”
During an interview with Margot Robbie for their DC Comics film “Suicide Squad,” he told E!, “I don’t think ever—like, pretty close to when Hell freezes over. Pretty close, like, we’re gonna leave that one alone.”
Ribeiro also seconded Smith’s comments in a separate interview, saying, “And if it happened,” Ribeiro said, “it wouldn’t be “Fresh Prince.” It would be something that’s taking the story of the show and having all new people do something. To me, that’s not “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” There’s (only) one Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
