Disney's Aladdin was an animated classic that, in spite of its recent remake, continues to reign as the definitive version of the tale. Next to Beauty and the Beast, it's one of the finest examples of the classic Disney fairytale formula. With its memorable characters, signature style, unforgettable lines, and marvelous music by Alan Menken, it's definitely a jewel in Disney's crown.
The artists, animators, and filmmakers went to a lot of work to bring this movie to life, so we're here to peek behind the veil of this magical classic. Here are ten facts about Disney's original Aladdin you might not have known.
Aladdin Was Inspired by Tom Cruise
Aladdin is definitely what we would call a piece of the '90s. Its design, dialogue, and even some of the musical lyrics all take something away from the era. But one thing many hardcore Disney fans already know about is the actor who influenced the character design for Aladdin. Let's just say it definitely wasn't Scott Weinger.
Our favorite street rat gets his distinctive chiseled features from another face of the '90s, Tom Cruise. That handsome smile, gorgeous locks, and cocky demeanor were all trademark qualities of the fabulous Tom Cruise back in the day. A sign of the times, but not one we would change.
Aladdin Became a Musical in 2011
Just like The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin achieved the rank of Broadway star when it was adapted into a stage musical in 2011. Though heavily inspired by the original feature, it took inspiration from deleted film concepts and narratives to bring us this musical masterpiece.
Featuring phenomenal sets, staging techniques, beautiful orchestrations of classic Disney tunes, and even a handful of new songs added to the mix, it was definitely a musical worthy of Broadway and Disney's caliber. It may not be Lion King or Mary Poppins but it will take you to a whole new world.
Originally, Aladdin's Mother was Featured
One of the biggest changes between the original draft of Aladdin's script was the presence of his mother. One of the biggest messages in the original script was doing good by mom and striving to make the right choices. Though an amiable concept, it was going nowhere.
When progress was struggling on the project's story, infamous Disney filmmaker, Jeffrey Katzenberg, declared the mom angle was dead and they went with a different approach. This also led to the cutting of the song "Proud of Your Boy" which would make it back into the previously mentioned musical. An interesting idea, but ultimately not to be.
"Arabian Nights" Had a Shocking Verse Cut
Yet another nugget of known trivia for those Disney fans amongst you is the reputation of the song "Arabian Nights" which opens the film. Though considered one of the favored Disney movie openings nowadays, the song once contained a verse that resulted in some rather unsightly controversy.
Before we hopped a carpet and flew with this song, the original version had a verse that supposedly ignited some Islamaphobic imagery with the line "Where they cut off your ear if they don't like your face. It's barbaric, but hey, it's home." This was changed in further releases, but you can find the original theatrical version here.
The Genie Was Designed, Written, and Created For Robin Williams
There's no way we can talk about Disney's Aladdin, original or remake, without talking about the late great Robin Williams. The film wouldn't nearly be as successful or popular if it wasn't for the comedian's portrayal as the famous Genie. In fact, it might not exist at all if it wasn't for this one character.
The role of the Genie was made for Williams before he even set foot in the studio. Animators even used one of his stand up routines to create test footage to sync the animation style with his off-the-wall humor. One negotiation later, the film had its biggest star.
Nearly All of Genie's/Robin Williams's Lines Were Improvised
One of the best moves Disney could have possibly made for the film other than putting Robin Williams in one of the lead roles was just letting him improvise. Nearly all of the character's dialogue was created by Robin Williams riffing and doing his standard impression routine, which is how the comedian did his best work.
Giving Williams this much freedom resulted in some of the best lines in the film, as well as the best performance. Williams' sheer amount of wild energy makes a perfect transition to the animated medium, and it's definitely our favorite role from the performer.
The Story Might Be an Enticing Sales Pitch
Though the original fan theory involving the merchant has been proven correct by Disney themselves, there is one still floating around that garners merit to this day. What if the story we've been hearing from the merchant wasn't because he was actually the Genie in disguise, but an elaborate sales pitch to get us to buy the lamp?
Think about it, how many rare collectibles have been sold with the same technique? Aladdin might just be an improvised account. The merchant might be as crafty as they come, but at least he can tell an enchanting tale, right?
Sir Patrick Stewart Was Almost Jafar
In the '90s, Disney tried and tried to bring in Sir Patrick Stewart as a voice to one of their characters. From Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast to Scar in The Lion King, he was approached by the studio with roles. However, scheduling would not allow him to participate, because he was involved in a little show called Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Of all the words of tongue and pen, the saddest are it might have been. We would have absolutely adored seeing Sir Patrick Stewart as the sinister sorcerer, and he himself has expressed it's one of his biggest regrets. Hopefully, Disney can give him a role in the future.
Johnathan Freeman Continues to Play Jafar
Though we might desire Patrick Stewart in a Disney role, there's still a lot of praise to be given to the fantastic Johnathan Freeman. After voicing Jafar in the original animated feature, he continued to portray the role in a multitude of media and still voices the character to this day. Though 27 years have passed since the film premiered, Freeman is still attached to the role.
Not only has he voiced Jafar in the direct-to-video sequel, the Aladdin TV series, and the Disney Parks attractions, but he also assumed the role in the original stage production of the Broadway show. We gotta give the guy credit, he knows how to play a twisted wizard.
The Film's Marketing Led to a Falling Out With Robin Williams
Due to a conflict regarding breach of contract, marketing, and other matters, Disney and Williams engaged in a feud after the success of the animated feature. Williams stipulated in his contract that he didn't want the Genie to be used for marketing. To put it bluntly, Disney execs did not follow instructions.
As Williams put it, he didn't want to sell anything "as in-- Burger King, as in toys, as in stuff." This led to him not working with the studio for a long period of time. Robin Williams did later return to the studio to reprise his role once a more agreeable arrangement was met and apologies were made.