So, you’re looking for the prince of bel air movie cast. It’s a bit of a rabbit hole, honestly. If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok or Facebook lately, you’ve probably seen those slick, professional-looking trailers for a 2025 or 2026 "Fresh Prince" movie starring a grizzled, older Will Smith.
Here is the cold, hard truth: there is no movie.
At least, not in the way those viral clips suggest. Most of those "trailers" are clever fan edits or AI-generated concepts. But that doesn’t mean the "Fresh Prince" universe is dead. Far from it. We’ve actually had a massive dramatic reimagining called Bel-Air that just wrapped up its fourth and final season in late 2025, and the cast for that "movie-style" show is exactly what people are actually seeing when they search for this.
Why Everyone Thinks There’s a New Movie
It all started with Morgan Cooper. Back in 2019, he released a four-minute fan film that reimagined the goofy '90s sitcom as a gritty, intense drama. It went viral. Like, "Will Smith called him personally" viral.
That short film is the prince of bel air movie cast that most people are thinking of. It wasn't a feature-length film for theaters, but it was so good it got turned into the Peacock series Bel-Air.
If you saw a trailer where Will is getting arrested in Philly and the vibe is more The Wire than Nick at Nite, you’re looking at Jabari Banks and the new crew.
✨ Don't miss: The Lil Wayne Tracklist for Tha Carter 3: What Most People Get Wrong
The Modern Cast: Who’s Who in the Reboot
The 2022–2025 cast had some massive shoes to fill. You can't just "replace" James Avery or Alfonso Ribeiro. You have to do something different.
Jabari Banks (Will Smith)
Jabari is actually from West Philadelphia. Seriously. When Will Smith surprised him with the news he got the part, it felt like a passing of the torch. In the dramatic version, his Will is a basketball star whose life is literally on the line after a playground fight. He’s more vulnerable, a bit more hot-headed, and way less likely to break into a "Jump On It" dance routine.
Adrian Holmes (Philip Banks)
Uncle Phil in the reboot is a total powerhouse. Adrian Holmes plays him as a high-stakes lawyer running for District Attorney. He’s fit, he’s intimidating, and he has a beard that means business. He’s not the "big guy" who gets thrown out of the house; he’s the man who owns the city. Holmes actually won an NAACP Image Award for this role in 2024.
Olly Sholotan (Carlton Banks)
This is the one that shocks people. The new Carlton isn't dorky. He doesn't do the "Carlton Dance." In the dramatic series, he’s the King of Bel-Air Academy, but he’s struggling with some pretty heavy anxiety and a rivalry with Will that feels more like a war than a sibling spat.
Coco Jones (Hilary Banks)
You might recognize Coco from her music career or Disney days. She turned Hilary into a social media influencer and a gourmet chef. She’s still stylish, but she’s got a lot more hustle than the original version.
🔗 Read more: Songs by Tyler Childers: What Most People Get Wrong
The OG Cast: Where Are They Now?
While the "movie" isn't happening, the original prince of bel air movie cast did have a massive, tear-jerker reunion on HBO Max (now Max) a couple of years back. It’s the closest thing we’ve ever gotten to a feature-length production with the original stars.
- Will Smith: Still one of the biggest stars on Earth, despite the Oscars drama. He recently made a cameo in the Bel-Air series finale in late 2025 as a "vision" of the future for the younger Will.
- Alfonso Ribeiro: He’s basically the king of television hosting now, keeping America’s Funniest Home Videos alive and well.
- Tatyana Ali: She actually showed up in the reboot! She played a teacher named Mrs. Hughes. It was a cool "full circle" moment for fans.
- Janet Hubert & Daphne Maxwell Reid: The "two Aunt Vivs" finally met and buried the hatchet during the reunion special. It was probably the most emotional moment in TV history for '90s kids.
The "Final Season" Twist of 2025
If you're hunting for the prince of bel air movie cast because of recent news, you're likely reacting to the series finale of Bel-Air that aired in December 2025.
The showrunners went all out for the ending. They brought back Janet Hubert (the original Aunt Viv) for a guest spot as a character named Iris. Even Tyra Banks, who played Jackie in the original show, popped up as a sorority sister of Vivian's.
The biggest "movie-level" moment? Will Smith himself appearing in the final scene of Season 4. He plays an older version of Will (or a figment of imagination, depending on how you read the scene) giving advice to Jabari Banks' character. It felt like the definitive end of that era.
How to Spot the Fakes
Since there is no actual 2026 movie in production, here is how you can tell if that "news" you saw is fake:
💡 You might also like: Questions From Black Card Revoked: The Culture Test That Might Just Get You Roasted
- Check the studio: If it says "Concept Trailer" in the description, it’s a fan project.
- Look at the cast list: If it claims Zendaya or Michael B. Jordan are starring, it’s almost certainly fake. They’re too busy.
- The James Avery factor: Any "movie" claiming James Avery is returning is obviously false, as the legendary actor passed away in 2013. The reboot pays tribute to him constantly, but he cannot be replaced.
Basically, the "movie" you’re looking for is actually a 4-season masterclass in how to reboot a show properly.
If you want to see the prince of bel air movie cast in action, your best bet is to head over to Peacock and binge Bel-Air. It’s got all the drama the "movie" trailers promised, plus a soundtrack that actually slaps.
Stop waiting for a theatrical release that isn't coming. Go watch Jabari Banks and Adrian Holmes redefine those characters instead. It's actually better than a 2-hour movie could ever be because you get 40 hours of story instead of two.
Next Steps:
- Check out the original Morgan Cooper fan trailer on YouTube to see the "movie" that started it all.
- Stream the HBO Max Reunion Special if you want to see the original cast together one last time.
- Look up Jabari Banks' music; the guy is a legit talent outside of the show.