Robin Williams’ will prevents Aladdin sequel

• Theo Pape


• 10 Nov 2015

A clause in Robin Williams’ will is preventing Disney from creating another instalment in the Aladdin series. The clause forbids fresh exploitation of his name, taped performances, and voice recordings for twenty five years; and apparently there is such a wealth of unused comic material which the beloved comedian recorded for Aladdin, that a new movie could be made out of, were it not for this stipulation.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, a former Disney executive commented:

“When he was on form, the hyperactive motormouth we love from Good Morning Vietnam, Hook, Dead Poets Society and Mrs Doubtfire, Robin was making 30 jokes a minute. Now, because he insisted on a final say on such material, [the jokes] will remain in the vaults.”

On the one hand it’s a shame, as the Genie in Aladdin was one of Williams’ defining roles, but then again, sometimes in life you just have to wish for something new, and perhaps the great performer is ultimately telling us this from beyond the grave.