Fantasy Guy Ritchie Directing Disney's Aladdin

[DarthSkywalker]

Not to put to fine a point on it but if you can't see the inherent difference between a film about talking animals, and a film featuring actual people, and the different approaches you require to sell each of those concepts, then you need to have a long hard look at yourself in the mirror.

Ah, so you don't have an actual answer. That's nice.

So, using this logic, the CGI characters in BatB were an issue. Because you know, they didn't have human enough faces.

Oh, and would you like to again explain how having actual people in a film has anything to do with the CGI Genie? They had actual people in the LotR, PotC, Ragnarok, TFA, TLJ, Avengers, etc. Still found no need to do this.

 

[Schlosser85]

The Hulk in Infinity War still doesn't look as 100% Mark Ruffalo as Genie does Will Smith. It's literally just blue Will Smith.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

I use the most recent examples because we don't know what tech they were working with during Ragnarok. Maybe they intended for the Hulk to resemble Ruffalo more strongly but the tech or wasn't there at the time or it wasn't in the budget. Now, for Infinity War and Endgame the Hulk looks exactly like a green Ruffalo in the face.In the other movies, he's never looked that close. It's the same idea with the Genie.

What?

 

[ThePowerCosmic]

Oh so now all other CGI takes not cease to exist? Will Endgame now make more money because the Hulk looks a bit more like Ruffalo? Also beyond that being a pretty poor mock up (most such promotional material from those films are) that still doesn't even look at the same technique.

My point is that what's been done with Will has been done before in other movies.And recent movies make the comparisons easier because the tech matches. I don't care about the "money" discussion, that's not what I'm saying.

 

[Snow Queen]

I use the most recent examples because we don't know what tech they were working with during Ragnarok. Maybe they intended for the Hulk to resemble Ruffalo more strongly but the tech or wasn't there at the time or it wasn't in the budget. Now, for Infinity War and Endgame the Hulk looks exactly like a green Ruffalo in the face.In the other movies, he's never looked that close. It's the same idea with the Genie.

Yes, I'm glad they finally nailed Ruffalo's square, comic book jawline in Infinity War:

It isn't the uncanny creepiness that is Will Smith's head hovering in front of a blue CG bodybuilder.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

The Hulk in Infinity War still doesn't look as 100% Mark Ruffalo as Genie does Will Smith. It's literally just blue Will Smith.

Literally.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

My point is that what's been done with Will has been done before in other movies.And recent movies make the comparisons easier because the tech matches. I don't care about the "money" discussion, that's not what I'm saying.

Give an example from another film that has used his technique and has been as successful in terms of quality of work as say those that did not use it.

 

[ThePowerCosmic]

Yes, I'm glad they finally nailed Ruffalo's square, comic book jawline in Infinity War:

It isn't the uncanny creepiness that is Will Smith's head hovering in front of a blue CG bodybuilder.

That's like saying you're glad they nailed Will's pointed ears for Aladdin. Of course these characters are not going to look 100% like the actor, because at the end of the day they are different characters. Gotta have some differences.

 

[jmc]

Ah, so you don't have an actual answer. That's nice.

So, using this logic, the CGI characters in BatB were an issue. Because you know, they didn't have human enough faces.

Oh, and would you like to again explain how having actual people in a film has anything to do with the CGI Genie? They had actual people in the LotR, PotC, Ragnarok, TFA, TLJ, Avengers, etc. Still found no need to do this.

You said the lead actor doesn't have to excite anyone. That's completely bull****. People want to see people who are entertaining, which is why Will Smith is hired. You hire Will Smith because no-one knows who the **** the guy playing Aladdin is. Why would anyone pay to see some guy they've never heard of and some girl who was in a ****ty Power Rangers movie? I'm not exactly sure what it is about that you don't understand. You hire guys like Smith to offset the audiences being unaware of who the newcomers are, under the hope his drawing power will make people fans of these new actors which then turns them into stars increasing their value. It's not ****ing rocket science. If you think this film is beyond that and can rely entirely on nostalgia, well, I've got a youtube trailer filled with dislikes I can link to you.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

That's like saying you're glad they nailed Will's pointed ears for Aladdin. Of course these characters are not going to look 100% like the actor, because at the end of the day they are different characters. Gotta have some differences.

Did you just compare the ears to the actual face of the characters? That is being intellectually dishonest.

 

[Schlosser85]

A movie doesn't have to have a "big name". Avatar is the best-selling movie of all time, and it's biggest "star" was probably Sigourney Weaver who had a supporting role.

 

[Snow Queen]

That's like saying you're glad they nailed Will's pointed ears for Aladdin. Of course these characters are not going to look 100% like the actor, because at the end of the day they are different characters. Gotta have some differences.

There is a big difference between ears and jawline when talking about facial structure of CG characters.

God damn, I hadn't seen that picture, that looks hilarious.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

You said the lead actor doesn't have to excite anyone. That's completely bull****. People want to see people who are entertaining, which is why Will Smith is hired. You hire Will Smith because no-one knows who the **** the guy playing Aladdin is. Why would anyone pay to see some guy they've never heard of and some girl who was in a ****ty Power Rangers movie? I'm not exactly sure what it is about that you don't understand. You hire guys like Smith to offset the audiences being unaware of who the newcomers are, under the hope his drawing power will make people fans of these new actors which then turns them into stars increasing their value. It's not ****ing rocket science. If you think this film is beyond that and can rely entirely on nostalgia, well, I've got a youtube trailer filled with dislikes I can link to you.

 

[Schlosser85]

Beat you to it

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Beat you to it

I had to find a photo.

 

[redfirebird2008]

You said the lead actor doesn't have to excite anyone. That's completely bull****. People want to see people who are entertaining, which is why Will Smith is hired. You hire Will Smith because no-one knows who the **** the guy playing Aladdin is. Why would anyone pay to see some guy they've never heard of and some girl who was in a ****ty Power Rangers movie? I'm not exactly sure what it is about that you don't understand. You hire guys like Smith to offset the audiences being unaware of who the newcomers are, under the hope his drawing power will make people fans of these new actors which then turns them into stars increasing their value. It's not ****ing rocket science. If you think this film is beyond that and can rely entirely on nostalgia, well, I've got a youtube trailer filled with dislikes I can link to you.

Actually I think Smith being as famous as he is plays directly into the negative reaction of the trailer. You put an unknown actor in the exact same trailer and nobody would be pissed about Genie. Instead they would be furious about Jafar sounding like a really weak guy.

There's something to be said for not being too recognizable. I believe this helped Ledger's Joker compared to Nicholson's Joker for instance. One was completely unrecognizable (both visually and the voice), while the other was clearly a very famous actor using his regular voice with makeup that doesn't really hide his famous face.

 

[Schlosser85]

Well the performance was also just Jack Nicholson being Jack Nicholson (IMO).

 

[redfirebird2008]

Well the performance was also just Jack Nicholson being Jack Nicholson (IMO).

Which I would say is exactly what we are getting from Will Smith too. Unknown actor get a fresh slate to make a new impression on audiences.

 

[Schlosser85]

Which I would say is exactly what we are getting from Will Smith too. Unknown actor get a fresh slate to make a new impression on audiences.

Will Smith being Will Smith is what we usually get. And I suspect the studio knew it was what they were getting.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Actually I think Smith being as famous as he is plays directly into the negative reaction of the trailer. You put an unknown actor in the exact same trailer and nobody would be pissed about Genie. Instead they would be furious about Jafar sounding like a really weak guy.

There's something to be said for not being too recognizable. I believe this helped Ledger's Joker compared to Nicholson's Joker for instance. One was completely unrecognizable (both visually and the voice), while the other was clearly a very famous actor using his regular voice with makeup that doesn't really hide his famous face.

This is a very good point.

When you think back, who was the big name in the original Star Wars? LotR? The most well known actors where not movie Stars in Sir Alec and Sir Ian. It is even the same for Harry Potter. While they had a lot of well known actors, none of them really qualified as big movie stars that drew in audiences by the millions. And the main attraction there was of course the brand.

 

[Schlosser85]

This is a very good point. You think back. Who was the big name in the original Star Wars? LotR? The most well known actors where not movie Stars in Sir Alec and Sir Ian. It is even the same for Harry Potter. While they had a lot of well known actors, none of them really qualified as big movie stars that drew in audiences by the millions. And the main attraction there was of course brand.

The Lord of the Rings concerned itself with fitting the parts, not stocking the cast with movie stars, and was all the better for it.

 

[DarkKnight88]

But he sold the movie back in 1989. Nicholson was very important to the success for that film. Just as Robin Williams was very important to the success of Aladdin. And just as Will Smith will be important to the success of this Aladdin.

People forget that Robin Williams being Robin Williams and his brand of improve helped that movie. You needed a comedic star on that level for this character.

Avatar is a bad comparison in terms of actors. James Cameron and the effects were the selling point.

 

[ThePowerCosmic]

There is a big difference between ears and jawline when talking about facial structure of CG characters.

God damn, I hadn't seen that picture, that looks hilarious.

The Hulk has a strong jawline, that's the character. Genie has pointed ears, that's the character. How is it different just because it's a different facial feature? We know the Hulk has to have a strong jawline, that doesn't mean he doesn't look like Ruffalo in the face. Trying to see your point, because mine is that what's being done with Genie has been done.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

But he sold the movie back in 1989. Nicholson was very important to the success for that film. Just as Robin Williams was very important to the success of Aladdin. And just as Will Smith will be important to the success of this Aladdin.

Avatar is a bad comparison in terms of actors. James Cameron and the effects were the selling point.

Movie stars don't really sell blockbusters anymore. They sell smaller films yeah, but the big films are driven by the brands.

 

[DarkKnight88]

That’s not true. Stars still sell. Not to the extent they used to but certain actors playing certain characters DO sell. That’s the point of casting a Will Smith in the part of the Genie. It doesn’t work with lesser known comedian.