Title: Disney’s New Short Film Resurrects 543 Animated Characters with Robin Williams Audio
Date: October 15, 2023
Disney’s upcoming animated/live-action hybrid short film, “Once Upon a Studio,” is set to bring back 543 beloved animated characters from throughout Walt Disney Animation Studios’ history. The film, created to commemorate the company’s 100-year anniversary, includes characters that fans thought they might never see again, such as Genie from “Aladdin,” voiced by the late Robin Williams.
Polygon had the opportunity to attend a Los Angeles preview of the short film during a preview for Disney’s upcoming feature film, “Wish.” The film follows Mickey and Minnie Mouse as they gather animated characters for a 100th anniversary group photo outside the Roy E. Disney Animation Building. Halfway through the film, as animated portraits come to life and roam the studio’s halls, Genie makes an appearance alongside Olaf from “Frozen,” voiced by Josh Gad. Genie delivers lines that aren’t familiar from the original “Aladdin” film, but according to producer Yvett Merino, they were direct lines from past recordings.
In a Hollywood climate where the use of AI has been a contentious issue, Disney took a firm stance against using AI to recreate Robin Williams’ voice for the film. Producer Brad Simonsen stated, “We are a flat no on [AI] right now,” highlighting the company’s commitment to preserving the integrity of Williams’ performance.
The creative team behind “Once Upon a Studio” reached out to Robin Williams’ estate early on, sharing storyboards and outtakes from “Aladdin” with the estate. According to Yvett Merino, it was important to get the estate’s blessing to proceed with incorporating Genie into the short film. The inclusion of Genie in the film was made even more special as Eric Goldberg, the animator who worked on the original “Aladdin” feature film, returned to animate Genie for “Once Upon a Studio.”
Eric Goldberg not only animated Genie but also served as the overall head of hand-drawn animation for the film. Directors Dan Abraham and Trent Correy gave Goldberg creative freedom to bring the Genie scene to life, which he accomplished with his signature style.
Disney Animation Studios’ Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee expressed her admiration for Williams’ performance, emphasizing the lasting impact of his portrayal of Genie. She stated, “Genie is such an important character to so many of us.”
The film “Once Upon a Studio” is set to premiere on Sunday, October 15, as part of the “Wonderful World of Disney: Disney’s 100th Anniversary Celebration” special on ABC. The streaming date for the short film has not yet been announced.
In a time where the use of AI in entertainment has become a hot topic, Disney’s decision to resurrect beloved characters using original recordings is a testament to their commitment to preserving the legacy and authenticity of their animated films. The inclusion of Robin Williams’ Genie in “Once Upon a Studio” serves as a tribute to his iconic performance and his lasting impact on the Disney animation legacy.