NBC’s hit show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air last aired on May 20, 1996. As Will Smith would be seen saying his goodbyes to the Banks family for the last time, another classic show ended. Rumblings about a possible reboot of the sitcom have been stirring and many have speculated about who could possibly fill the shoes of Will Smith, a big rapper, and beloved celebrity. These rumors are looking to take shape, as TMZ reported earlier in the year that producers of the network/show have registered new trademarks around the shows main characters.
Smith’s sidekick during the Fresh Prince day’s, DJ Jazzy Jeff, feels he knows exactly the person for the job. “I think Chance The Rapper would be a really good Fresh Prince,” he told HipHop DX in an interview. “Cause Chance always seems to have a lighthearted demeanor. He’s got a serious side to him but Chance is always smiling. Chance is always trying to do something really positive [too]. Jeff also was on record saying that Chance reminds him of Will because they’re both “trailblazers”. Chance has been able to navigate his way around the pitfalls of the music industry, staying independent while obtaining high amounts of success in his early career.
When asked about the rumors of a Fresh Prince Reboot on Pitchfork’s “In Sight Out” and if he’d do it if offered the role, he said,”I’m not playing the ******* Fresh Prince, I love Will Smith. I wouldn’t do that.” He did add that if there was a role for him to write music for the show he would do it in a heartbeat.
While that’s in the air, other thoughts about the reboot have been thrown around. Some have speculated that the show could totally flip and have a female play the main role in a Fresh Princess of Bel-Air style. Will Smith also teased a few photos of is Fresh Prince character in drawing form, giving the idea that the show could also become an animated series. Only time will tell, as fans of the hit 90s show hope to see it back on television in some way, shape, or form.
