Will Smith goes from fear to joy as Aladdin's new genie

Cast members Will Smith attends the premiere of "Aladdin" at El Capitan theatre in Los Angeles, California, U.S. May 21, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Will Smith was initially worried about playing the genie in Disney's live action version of "Aladdin" after the celebrated performance by the late Robin Williams more than 25 years ago, but says it eventually became a joy.

"What Robin Williams did with this character - he just didn't leave a lot of room to add to the genie. So I started off fearful but then when I got with the music, it just started waking up that fun, childlike, silly part of me," Smith said.

Cast members Naomi Scott, Mena Massoud and Will Smith attend the premiere of "Aladdin" at El Capitan theatre in Los Angeles, California, U.S. May 21, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

"This was the most joyful experience of my career," the actor, 50, said ahead of the film's release worldwide this week.

"Aladdin," directed by Guy Ritchie, marks Smith's first time doing a Walt Disney Co film. The remake features many of the elements of the 1992 animated original, for which Williams won a Golden Globe for his voice work.

"I like the original movie so I'm aware I don't want to contaminate the nostalgia of the first one," said Ritchie. "What you want to do is embellish."

Cast member Naomi Scott attends the premiere of "Aladdin" at El Capitan theatre in Los Angeles, California, U.S. May 21, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

"My principal job was to entertain my five kids and my Disneyphile of a wife," said Ritchie, who is better known for action adventure movies like "Sherlock Holmes" and adult crime caper "RocknRolla."

Naomi Scott who appeared in "The 33" and "Power Rangers" plays Princess Jasmine. Mena Massoud, who appeared in last year's "Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan" series, plays the title role in the movie.

"Aladdin" is the latest Disney remake of its animated family film classics. It follows a live action version of flying elephant tale "Dumbo" in March, the upcoming July reboot of "The Lion King," and "Mulan" due for release in 2020.

(L-R) Nasim Pedrad, Marwan Kenzari, Naomi Scott, Mena Massoud, director Guy Ritchie, Alan Menken, Will Smith, Navid Negahban and Numan Acar attend the premiere of "Aladdin" at El Capitan theatre in Los Angeles, California, U.S. May 21, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

(Reporting by Reuters Television; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)

Cast member Will Smith speaks to the media during the premiere of "Aladdin" at El Capitan theatre in Los Angeles, California, U.S. May 21, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Cast member Naomi Scott greets fans during the premiere of "Aladdin" at El Capitan theatre in Los Angeles, California, U.S. May 21, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Cast member Will Smith kisses his wife Jada Pinkett Smith during the premiere of "Aladdin" at El Capitan theatre in Los Angeles, California, U.S. May 21, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Cast member Will Smith poses with fans as he arrives for the premiere of "Aladdin" at El Capitan theatre in Los Angeles, California, U.S. May 21, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Cast member Naomi Scott attends the premiere of "Aladdin" at El Capitan theatre in Los Angeles, California, U.S. May 21, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Director Guy Ritchie and Jacqui Ainsley attend the premiere of "Aladdin" at El Capitan theatre in Los Angeles, California, U.S. May 21, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Director Guy Ritchie arrives for the premiere of "Aladdin" at El Capitan theatre in Los Angeles, California, U.S. May 21, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Cast member Mena Massoud takes a photo with fans as he arrives for the premiere of "Aladdin" at El Capitan theatre in Los Angeles, California, U.S. May 21, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Cast member Will Smith and director Guy Ritchie attend the premiere of "Aladdin" at El Capitan theatre in Los Angeles, California, U.S. May 21, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Cast member Naomi Scott attends the premiere of "Aladdin" at El Capitan theatre in Los Angeles, California, U.S. May 21, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Cast member Mena Massoud arrives for the premiere of "Aladdin" at El Capitan theatre in Los Angeles, California, U.S. May 21, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Cast member Naomi Scott arrives for the premiere of "Aladdin" at El Capitan theatre in Los Angeles, California, U.S. May 21, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Alfonso Ribeiro speaks next to cast member Will Smith during the premiere of "Aladdin" at El Capitan theatre in Los Angeles, California, U.S. May 21, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Cast members Naomi Scott and Will Smith arrive for the premiere of "Aladdin" at El Capitan theatre in Los Angeles, California, U.S. May 21, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni