The Men In Black superstar was cast by director Guy Ritchie to take on the role alongside Naomi Scott (Princess Jasmine) and Mena Massoud (Aladdin) in 2017.
The move meant Will, 50, is following in the footsteps of the late, great Robin Williams who died in 2014.
Paying tribute to Williams at the European Gala of Aladdin, Will told Daily Star Online: “What Robin Williams gave to the Genie that was spectacular was the flamboyancy of the role.
“That was what I was working really hard to capture but give it in my flavour.
“It is like the Genie will say or do anything.
“There is a certain madness to him that is the fun that Robin Williams created.
“I was tying to find what that meant but with a more Fresh Prince flavour to it.
“I wanted it to be both nostalgic and also a bit of a new.”
TRIBUTE; Will Smith payed tribute to Robin Williams on the red carpet (Pic: GETTY)
RIP: Robin Williams was the voice of the Genie in the original film (Pic: GETTY)
VISION: Guy Ritchie wanted his Genie to be like a 1970s bodybuilder (Pic: GETTY)
“Robin Williams didn’t leave much room to improve on the Genie”
Will Smith
Admitting it was hard to follow in the late actor’s footsteps, the Hollywood legend added: “It was quite stressful and daunting.
“Robin Williams didn’t leave much room to improve on the Genie.”
However, while Will has his doubts, Guy had a clear vision of what he wanted the role to transform into.
“Guy had a very specific take on what he wanted the Genie to look like,” Will continued.
“He kept saying 1970s body builder.
SUPERSTAR: Will Smith plays the role of Genie in the Aladdin remake (Pic: GETTY)
REMAKE: Will Smith as the Genie in the Aladdin live action remake (Pic: DISNEY)
NEW LOOK: The cast of Aladdin pose on the blue carpet in London (Pic: GETTY)
LEADING ROLES: Naomi Scott and Mena Massoud play Jasmine and Aladdin (Pic: GETTY)
“He wanted him to have an upper body that was really huge and their legs are really small as they never do leg day.”
Aladdin is the latest Disney classic to receive the 21st century live action treatment.
This year alone new versions of Dumbo and The Lion King are also joining Aladdin on the big screen once more.
Meanwhile, Mulan and Maleficent 2 are slated for 2020 releases.
Aladdin is released nationwide on May 24
