Two of the best ’90s movies starring Robin Williams had him flying as an older Peter Pan and transforming into limitless possibilities as the Genie. But Hook wasn’t the first time Williams took to the sky in Neverland, just like Aladdin wasn’t the comedy legend’s first Disney role. Starring in movies the company produced, like Dead Poets Society, it was when he became a Lost Boy that there was a connection to why the Genie wore a certain outfit, among the magical being’s ever-changing appearances, in the final minutes of the Disney classic. Remember when Genie was dressed like he was ready to travel to a Disney amusement park? It’s a meta joke to the Mouse House that created the film, but it also went deeper as a callback to Williams’ role in a Disney short film.
Robin Williams’ Disney Introduction Was Not in ‘Aladdin’
For all the extravagant, enchanted bursts of magic the Genie could do, the fun masked quite a tragic figure. He was shackled to a lamp until the last wish from Aladdin (Scott Weinger) finally allowed Genie to be free at last. The first place he planned to visit for a trip 10,000 years in the making is not said, but implied with the yellow Hawaiian shirt and Goofy ears on Genie. And wouldn’t you know it, that would be the second time a character played by Robin Williams has worn that outfit.
Director Jerry Rees, who made The Brave Little Toaster, was responsible for the short film Back to Never Land, shown inside the Animation Building at Disney California Adventure. It starred famous news anchor Walter Cronkite, who was joined by a jovial Disney guest, Robin (played by Williams), wearing Genie’s final costume change, before the two went on a journey mixed with live-action and animation to celebrate how Disney could bring drawings to life.
‘Back to Neverland’ Had Audiences Learn About the Magic of Animation
Giant-sized storybooks loom over Cronkite and Robin as they walk across a stage before reaching a team of animators. The short film is a loving tribute to traditional animation by showing what goes on behind the scenes with the step-by-step process of cel sheets and layout artists to create the effect of characters moving within a 2-D setting. Although the peek behind the curtain in Back to Neverland will most certainly be nostalgic to fans who miss this style of animation as digital has taken over, the larger-than-life personality of Robin Williams is what makes this short a must-watch. At nine minutes long, it’s more than enough time for him to let loose. He starts with the hopes of being in “Peter Pan: First Blood,” to parody Rambo, with an impersonation of Jack Nicholson as Hook. After he’s turned into a cartoon, Williams is no longer bound to human restrictions.
‘Back to Neverland’ Showcased Robin Williams’ Genius
To bring out Williams’ inner child and channel various personas, the Disney guest he plays is honored with a cartoon counterpart who will be a Lost Boy in a showdown against Captain Hook, and it sets the stage for the fast-as-lightning improv that Williams could do. His Lost Boy character was even included among the princesses, villains, and creatures of Disney’s past and present in the 2023 animated short, Once Upon a Studio, to celebrate the studio’s 100th anniversary. He pops into the scene with Olaf, Pumbaa, and Timon, followed by an appearance by the Genie. Over ten years since Williams’ death, his legacy on-screen can still put a smile on your face, whether it’s live-action or animation, one of his famous movies or even his little-seen role in Back to Neverland.
Aladdin
- Release Date
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1994 – 1994
- Network
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CBS, Syndication, Disney Channel
- Directors
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Alan Zaslove, Rob LaDuca, Toby Shelton
- Writers
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Bill Motz, Bob Roth, Jan Strnad, Steve Roberts, Brian Swenlin, Michael Ryan, Kevin D. Campbell, Tad Stones, Mark Saraceni
Cast
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Jason Alexander
Abis Mal / Abnor Mal (voice)
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