Disney Brought Back Robin Williams’ Genie for ‘Once Upon a Studio’ without Using AI

“To create ‘Once Upon a Studio,’ Disney Animation harnessed the collective creativity of their talented team to celebrate a century of storytelling and enchantment. This animated short brings together iconic characters like Snow White, Peter Pan, and Robin Williams’ Genie, featuring a cast of 543 characters from over 85 feature-length and short films, all accomplished without the use of artificial intelligence.

Directors Dan Abraham and Trent Correy embarked on a quest to pay homage to the studio’s rich heritage. ‘Once Upon a Studio’ unfolds at the end of a typical workday at Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, where the studio’s transformation into a magical place begins as Disney Legend Burny Mattinson, who dedicated 70 years to films like ‘Lady and the Tramp’ (1955) and ‘One Hundred and One Dalmatians’ (1961), bids farewell. As Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse step out of a photograph, they summon their friends to assemble for an official 100th Anniversary Studio portrait.”

Related: Reflecting on Disney 100 and a Century of the Walt Disney Corporation

The group of esteemed animators boasted heavyweight talent, with luminaries such as James Baxter, known for his work on Belle in “Beauty and the Beast,” Nik Ranieri, renowned for his contributions to “The Lion King,” and Ruben Aquino, the artist behind the ultimate rendition of Ursula in 1989. According to Abraham, “He hadn’t sketched Ursula in more than three decades, and he returned from retirement to craft Ursula for our project.”

When it came to securing the original voices, more than 40 of the original voice actors, including Jodi Benson (Ariel), Jeremy Irons (Scar), Idina Menzel (Elsa), and Kristen Bell (Anna), enthusiastically accepted the opportunity to return. Yvett Merino’s experience was straightforward. She explained that they reached out, mentioning, they were creating a short film to commemorate the 100-year milestone.

Related: Disney’s ‘Once Upon a Studio’ Now Streaming on Disney+

‘We would love for you to participate.’ Many of them entered the recording session with little prior information. For those who joined, they would share the project details with them through storyboards. It was a heartwarming experience for many of the talent to revisit characters they hadn’t voiced in years, and they were genuinely appreciative of being included and partaking in this special project.

From the very outset, Correy and Abraham recognized the significance of incorporating Robin Williams’ legendary genie character into their project. Simonsen and producer Merino initiated contact with Williams’ estate. Simonsen explained that they endeavored to bring them along on our creative journey, expressing our commitment to this truly special short film we were crafting. Robin’s portrayal of the genie holds immense sentimental value for countless people, and the directors earnestly desired to include him.

Dan meticulously reviewed outtakes from the original recording, identifying those precious snippets we could utilize. Subsequently, Dan returned to the estate, presenting his vision, stating, ‘This is what we aspire to achieve.’ Notably, Eric, the original animator of the genie, was also part of the project. Witnessing that collaboration come to fruition was truly heartwarming for the directors and audiences.

In “Once Upon a Studio,” Disney Animation didn’t just celebrate 100 years of magic; they also celebrated the heart, dedication, and love that goes into creating timeless stories and characters. It’s a reminder that the magic of Disney isn’t just in the stories themselves but also in the passionate and dedicated individuals who bring them to life. This animated short is a heartfelt tribute to the past, present, and future of Disney’s storytelling legacy, a legacy that continues to enchant generations of viewers and keep the magic alive.

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