We recently got the reveal of a Fresh Prince of Bel-Air will get an HBO Max anniversary special. It will reunite the entire cast of the series in an unscripted format. It was the perfect time as Morgan Cooper‘s viral YouTube trailer Bel-Air was being picked up as a show. Will Smith would also act as a producer on the show, as it tells a darker version of the original story. It was uncertain who would get the rights to this show. Well that was until now, as Peacock has officially won the bidding war.
Not just that, they also closed a deal for a direct-to-series order for two full seasons. Will Smith gave a statement on the record deal in a YouTube announcement.
I’ve been in this business for 30 years and that does not happen. They ordered two full seasons of Bel-Air based on the quality of the pitch and the work that you guys have done. So I want to say congratulations. I am hyped.
The series has now been in development for over a year. Will Smiths Westbrook is co-producing the series with Universal TV. Most assumed the show would be heading to HBO Max given the recent anniversary announcement. Chris Collins of The Wire fame will act as showrunner. I am curious how the original show’s story will be retold. The dramatic aspect would hint at it being a completely unique take. Only the original set-up would remain the same. They could also use aspects of the original show and retell them from a more dramatic perspective. Bel-Air will certainly be a show to keep an eye out for once it airs on Peacock.
Source: YouTube via The Hollywood Reporter
