How Robin Williams returned to Agrabah for a million-dollar deal and a fresh start
In short: After sitting out the first direct-to-video sequel, Robin Williams returned to voice the Genie in 1996's Aladdin and the King of Thieves. His comeback required Disney to scrap all existing animation and rewrite scenes to match his signature comedic style, marking a high-stakes pivot for the franchise's final chapter.
Released on August 13, 1996, Aladdin and the King of Thieves served as the finale for Disney's Arabian Nights-inspired franchise. The production was notable for the return of Robin Williams, who had previously declined to participate in The Return of Jafar. His involvement was secured after Disney executive Joe Roth apologized for the studio's breach of an agreement regarding the merchandising of Williams' voice. The studio reportedly paid Williams $1 million to reprise the role, a move that necessitated discarding all completed animation and voice work by Dan Castellaneta, who had voiced the Genie in the interim.
The film's narrative draws inspiration from the tale of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, reimagined with Aladdin at the center. The plot follows Aladdin as he discovers his long-lost father, Cassim, is the legendary King of Thieves. Driven by a desire to find the Hand of Midas—an artifact capable of turning anything it touches into gold—Cassim initially prioritizes his obsession over his family. The story culminates in a confrontation at the Vanishing Isle, where the Hand of Midas ultimately transforms the villainous Sa'luk into a gold statue, leading Cassim to abandon his quest and recognize his son as his true treasure.
Commercially, the film was a significant success, selling 10.3 million units in the United States in 1996 and generating at least $130 million in revenue. Despite this, critical reception was mixed. While some reviewers, such as Caryn James of The New York Times, praised the film as an improvement over its predecessor, others criticized the animation quality and musical score. The film remains a distinct entry in Disney's direct-to-video history, eventually returning to the Disney Vault in 2008 before seeing a limited Blu-ray release in 2016.
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