How Disney Resurrected Robin Williams' Genie for Once Upon a Studio
The creators of Disney's 100-year anniversary short film, along with the animator who originally brought Genie to life, share with EW the touching Robin Williams moment: "The essence of the Genie was indispensable in narrating this tale."
When Disney enthusiasts are greeted by the familiar voice of the late Robin Williams emanating from the Genie in Disney's latest short film, "Once Upon a Studio," it carries a significance that may surpass what most realize.
At approximately the three-minute mark, viewers catch a glimpse of Josh Gad's Olaf from Frozen, serenading to Williams' timeless melody, "Friend Like Me," from the 1992 classic Aladdin, all the while sketching the iconic blue Genie. The colossal, fantastical wish-granter then springs forth from the page in all his meticulously hand-drawn animated splendor. "I haven't seen a tumble like that since Rome," quips the Genie, gazing down at the toppled Olaf.
Eric Goldberg, whose initial role at Disney involved animating the Genie for Aladdin, shares, "Josh Gad spoke about Robin—how the Genie motivated him to lend his voice to a Disney character, and he was overjoyed at the prospect of sharing a scene with Robin in this film." Goldberg further elucidates that a parallel synergy unfolded on the animation front, as Hyrum Osmond, the animator behind Olaf in Frozen, returned to bring the snowman to life while he focused on the Genie. "It all came full circle in that way," he concludes.
Goldberg, along with filmmakers Dan Abraham and Trent Correy from Once Upon a Time, discussed with EW the meticulous care and attention devoted to crafting this impactful scene with Robin Williams. They were fully aware of the immense love for both the actor and the character that has grown over the years. "Aladdin was a cornerstone of my childhood," Correy reflected. "It's etched in my earliest memories. Having collaborated with Josh Gad on Olaf's character over the years, knowing how much he admired Robin Williams and drew inspiration from the Genie, holds a special place for me."
The audio segment featuring Williams was sourced from a trove of his previously unused outtakes recorded years ago for Aladdin. Abraham meticulously combed through 16 hours of archived material to select the perfect snippet. "We obtained approval from the Robin Williams estate very early on," he emphasized. "We presented our vision, and they wholeheartedly supported it. Using his original dialogue was paramount to us."
Goldberg played a crucial role in this endeavor. Artists spanning the realms of hand-drawn and CGI animation converged at Once Upon a Studio to preserve the unique appearance of each character, and the original Genie animator was among them. He fondly recalled joining Disney in the 1980s after winding down his London-based commercials company, Pizazz Pictures. "They had been reaching out for months, and then they hit me with the bombshell," he reminisced.
Disney approached Goldberg with the exciting news that directors Ron Clements and John Musker were considering Aladdin as their next animated feature, with the possibility of Williams taking on a starring role. This prompted Goldberg and his wife, Susan, to swiftly relocate to California. Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Goldberg expressed, "I'm grateful I made that move because it marked the beginning of my journey with Disney, and what a remarkable way to launch a career at Walt Disney Animation."
Recalling those early days, Goldberg vividly remembers observing Williams' initial recordings as the Genie to draw inspiration for the character. However, the experience didn't unfold exactly as he'd anticipated. "I was just inches away from him, and any laughter on my part would've spoiled the recordings," he confesses. Nevertheless, Goldberg was determined to imbue the Genie with the same boundless energy as Williams' vocal performance.
Today, Goldberg shares how effortlessly the Genie materializes through his artistic touch. He notes, "It's not that I don't put thought into it, but it's become like second nature." Post-Aladdin, he returned time and again to depict the Genie for various special occasions, such as Once Upon a Studio. "The Genie and I have shared a longstanding friendship," he adds with a smile, "and revisiting him in this film is always a source of joy."
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