Robin Williams' Iconic Genie Brought Back to Life in Disney's Upcoming Short Film
Disney is about to play with our nostalgia.
At the Annecy Annual International Animation Festival, Disney kicked off the event with their upcoming animated short film, Once Upon A Studio. The short movie will take us on an incredible journey through Disney's rich history.
Once Upon A Studio is expected to unleash over 400 of the iconic characters onto the big screen. We're talking about a century's worth of magical and beloved figures brought together like never before.
But there's an extra special surprise in store. The late Robin Williams, known for his incredible performance as the Genie in Aladdin, will make a posthumous appearance in the film. Josh Gad, who voiced Disney's lovable snowman Olaf, confirmed it on his Instagram.
Robin Williams lent his voice for the 1992 film Aladdin. However, Williams initially had reservations about taking on the role.
He had concerns about the studio profiting from merchandise sales tied to the film. However, driven by a desire to be part of the animation tradition and create something special for his children, he eventually agreed to take on the role with certain conditions.
The film, released in 1992, went on to become the highest-grossing movie of that year. Alongside its box office success, Aladdin also received numerous accolades, including a Special Golden Globe Award for Williams' exceptional vocal work in a motion picture.
Williams didn't come back to play the Genie in the sequel, The Return of Jafar (1994). They got Dan Castellaneta to voice the Genie instead. But Williams made a comeback in the next sequel, Aladdin and the King of Thieves. And now, we'll have the original Genie back in action.
For the upcoming short film, Disney probably used older recordings of Robin Williams to bring the Genie back to life. It would be a heartfelt tribute to Williams' unforgettable portrayal.
Once Upon A Studio isn't just any ordinary film — it's a visual feast and a heartfelt tribute to Disney animation. They've gone all out with a mix of hand-drawn, computer-generated, and live-action characters.
The movie is expected to be released later in 2023. This short film promises to bring joy and nostalgia in a truly enchanting way.
Source: Deadline, Josh Gad's Instagram