Untold Secrets: How Robin Williams' Genius Shaped Aladdin with an Incredible Pinocchio Easter Egg

Summary

Eric Goldberg reveals that Robin Williams' improvisation in the recording booth led to the creation of the Pinocchio Easter egg in Aladdin.

Williams' portrayal of Genie in Aladdin showcased his distinct voice and provided the opportunity for spontaneous moments and improvisation, such as the iconic "buh-woop" line. Goldberg cleverly incorporated this into Pinocchio's nose growing.

Beyond Aladdin, Williams' ability to ad-lib was evident in Good Will Hunting, where he skillfully enhanced the film with his comedic talent, leaving a lasting impression on the projects he participated in.

Disney animator Eric Goldberg has revealed the origins of the Pinocchio Easter egg in the movie Aladdin. In the beloved 1992 animated film, there is a scene where Aladdin promises to use his third wish to set the Genie free. The Genie, skeptically, transforms his face into Pinocchio, indicating his doubts about Aladdin's intentions.

Goldberg explained during an interview with Radio Times that this clever crossover was a direct result of Robin Williams' unique voice acting. As the Genie, Williams delivered a performance that was both iconic and unpredictable, leading to unexpected moments like the Pinocchio Easter egg. Check out Goldberg's comments below for more insight.

Robin Williams Was A Master Of Improvisation

Although I didn't have many conversations with Robin, our understanding and compatibility were remarkable. If he made any changes or additions in the sound recording booth, he knew that I would catch on to them. Occasionally, he would entertain us with his spot-on celebrity impressions. Other times, it would simply be a random noise or a brief line of dialogue. We soon realized the potential and benefit of these moments. One of the most notable instances was during the scene where Aladdin informs the Genie that he intends to use his third wish for his freedom, and Robin spontaneously ad-libs, saying, 'Uh-huh, yeah, right, buh-woop.' John and Ron were puzzled by the phrase 'buh-woop,' and I explained, 'Oh, that's Robin's way of indicating a lie. It symbolizes Pinocchio's nose growing longer. Can I change the Genie's appearance to resemble Pinocchio? After all, we own the character!' Thus, we incorporated this idea into the film, thanks to his endlessly creative mind.

Williams' improvisational talent brought Disney's most memorable Easter egg to life and served as a shining example of how his spontaneous creativity elevated numerous projects throughout his illustrious career. Another remarkable instance was Williams' portrayal of Dr. Sean Maguire in Good Will Hunting, a performance that earned him the prestigious Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. One of the film's standout moments occurred organically as Williams ad-libbed during an insightful therapy session between Maguire and the complex character of Will Hunting, played by Matt Damon.

Maguire recounts a humorous incident where his late wife farted in her sleep, which was not originally in the script but made it to the final version of the movie. This addition was justified as it effectively blended comedy with an important message about wholeheartedly loving others. In the film's concluding scene, Williams also demonstrated his improvisational skills by incorporating a note left by Hunting, which echoed a line previously spoken by Maguire. Initially expected to stay silent, Maguire's character ended up delivering a memorable line, thanks to Williams' improvised variations during multiple takes. Damon was taken aback when Williams exclaimed, "Son of a b----h. He stole my line," a line that ultimately became a crucial part of the iconic ending in Good Will Hunting. Maguire's line proved to be a much stronger choice than silence, but this wouldn't have been possible without Williams' improvisation and the filmmakers' trust in him. From his contributions to Aladdin to Good Will Hunting, Williams consistently enhanced the projects he was involved in through his comedic improvisation.

Source: Radio Times