Iconic imitations for Aladdin
Robin Williams' performance as the Genie in Aladdin (1992) revolutionized voice acting in animation. Known for his talent for improvisation, the actor did not strictly follow the script and created several lines spontaneously. During filming, Williams played around with different voices and incorporated impersonations of celebrities, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jack Nicholson and even a TV presenter.
The actor's improvisations were so remarkable that the animation team had to adapt the Genie's expressions and gestures to match his fast-paced, comedic style. It is estimated that Williams recorded around 16 hours of material, with countless variations for each scene. His innovative interpretation led Disney to reinvent the way animated characters were created, making the Genie one of the studio's most beloved characters.
Despite the huge success, the relationship between Robin Williams and Disney was not without conflicts. The actor agreed to receive a below-standard salary to voice the character, on the condition that his voice would not be used for commercial purposes. However, Disney broke the agreement, leading to a disagreement that was only resolved years later. Even so, his performance in the film remains a landmark in the history of animation.
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