Reboots are en vogue, and fan favorites such as Full House, Will & Grace and a Roseanne Barr-less The Connors have enjoyed renewed life as audiences clamor for a taste of nostalgia. But black audiences have been left by the wayside, as shows like Living Single and Martin have thus far remained relegated to the past.
Perhaps conscious of this void, filmmaker Morgan Cooper recently broke the Internet with Bel-Air—his modern interpretation of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air that’s racked up over 3 million views and counting.
And one of its biggest fans, surprisingly, is Will Smith.
In a video posted on his YouTube channel on Friday, Smith gave it the ultimate co-sign, calling Cooper’s gritty adaptation “brilliant.”
“Morgan did a ridiculous trailer for Bel-Air,” Smith said, speaking into the camera while accompanied by the burgeoning filmmaker. “Brilliant idea, the dramatic version of The Fresh Prince for the next generation.”
The trailer stars Los Angeles-based Jerry Madison Jr. as Uncle Phil’s charming nephew struggling to make sense of his new surroundings—which Will sees unlimited potential for.
“The dramatic version of these ideas means that you can use existing storylines,” Smith said in his video. “But, it’s not going to seem like you’re redoing an episode because the storyline is going to be brand-new from the dramatic perspective.”
In speaking to The Root, Madison said, “I knew it would be received well, but this has exceeded all expectations. To hear The G.O.A.T., Will Smith, speak so highly of this project has lit a fire in me like no other. I now know that we are all limitless as creators and it is our duty to continue to create without limitations.”
While it’s unclear what the future holds for Cooper’s Bel-Air, it’s evident those involved with the project have a bright future.
You can watch Smith’s thoughts on Bel-Air in their entirety below.