Why Disney won’t be making another ‘Aladdin’ sequel anytime soon

With Disney making reboot after reboot, many fans may have been wondering when Aladdin will be getting a future sequel. There’s a live-action remake in the works and a couple straight-to-video sequels, but another animated follow-up to the ’90s classic was on the table. Turns out, that’s probably not going to happen any time soon. (And could you imagine another Aladdin without Robin Williams? Yeah, me neither.)

But let’s back up. A sequel was actually a viable possibility for some time, despite the tragic passing of Robin last year. That’s because most times, voice actors read off a written script, and Williams wasn’t your average actor. Back in 1991, he went into the recording booth and improvised like crazy, delivering hysterical jokes and zany impressions that even led to the reanimation of certain scenes to accommodate for them. In fact, there were so many jokes recorded that they couldn’t use them all — and Disney was making plans to use the extra jokes in a new Aladdin film. However, they’ve had to ditch the plans because of a stipulation in Williams’ will.

“When he was on form, the hyperactive motormouth we love from ‘Good Morning Vietnam’ and ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ was making 30 jokes a minute,” an unnamed Disney executive told the Sunday Times. “Now, because he insisted on a final say on such material, [the jokes] will remain in the vaults.”

For 25 years after his death, Williams’ will prohibits the company from using his name, taped performances, or voice recordings. This is to protect his family from estate penalties that may occur due to posthumous earnings.

While it’s disappointing to miss out on an entire vault of Williams’ genius voice-over work, this whole thing is testament to the late actor—both his devotion to his family, and his talent as a performer.  After all, for a major company to not be able to create another blockbuster film without one person’s voice? That’s unbelievable, and further proof that Williams’ legacy will last for decades to come.

(Image via Disney)