ROBIN WILLIAMS may have been an incorrigible exhibitionist during his lifetime but in death, through his will, he has ensured his image will be tightly controlled.
The Oscar-winning comedian, who killed himself last year aged 63 after battling with depression and a neurological illness, has forbidden fresh exploitation of his name, taped performances or voice recordings for 25 years.
As a result, Disney has abandoned plans to make a fourth instalment of the blockbuster Aladdin animation, assembled from quips and other lines left on the cutting room floor during the original 1991 recording sessions.
John Harlow for the sunday times
There is a little mystery here regarding prequels and sequels. Michial suggested this was the same as the Aladdin movie tentatively entitled “Genies” – which The Hollywood Reporter first announced in July 2015 (Williams committed suicide in August 2014). And it makes sense that a film titled Genies would want to use the voice of THE GENIE, but plans to use his outtakes isn’t mentioned in the piece.
Disney is going back to the world of Aladdin, its 1992 animated classic, with a live-action prequel.
The studio is developing Genies, a live-action comedy adventure that is being written by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift. Tripp Vinson is on board to produce via his Vinson Films banner.
Borys Kit for The Hollywood Reporter
However, the reports of posthumous blocking of sequels came in November 2015 – with no mention of Genies but only of an Aladdin Sequel. (Aladdin 4?) So – are these the same movies and sequel and prequel are being conflated? I guess if Genies releases prior to 2039 we’ll make this post a mea-culpa; hopefully it remains a curiosity.
The Disney executive told The Times, “Because [Williams] insisted on a final say on such material, [the jokes] will remain in the vaults” and a planned Aladdin sequel will stay on the shelf. Until 2039, that is.
JOANNA ROBINSON for Vanity Fair