Aladdin (Disney franchise)

Disney's Aladdin
Original work Adapted fairy tales
Films and television
Films Aladdin
Animated series Aladdin
Direct-to-video
Theatrical presentations
Musicals
Games
Video games
Audio
Soundtracks Aladdin
Miscellaneous
Attractions

Disney's Aladdin is a Disney media franchise comprising a film series and additional media. The success of the original 1992 American animated feature, Aladdin, directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, led to two direct-to-video sequels, a television show (which had a crossover episode with Hercules: The Animated Series), a segment in Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams, a one-act, seven-scene theatre musical, a musical show at Disney California Adventure, a Broadway musical, a ride in Magic Kingdom, a themed land at Tokyo DisneySea, a walkthrough attraction at Disneyland Paris, a bazaar at the main entrance to Adventureland in Disneyland Paris, several video games, and merchandise.

Films

Aladdin

Aladdin was released in 1992. The 31st animated film was directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, and is based on the Arab-style folktale of Aladdin and the magic lamp from One Thousand and One Nights. The plot follows street urchin Aladdin as attempts to gain the affection of Princess Jasmine after acquiring a magic lamp.

The Return of Jafar

Aladdin was followed by Disney's first direct-to-video sequel, The Return of Jafar in 1994. The film saw the debut of a new character, Abis Mal, voiced by Jason Alexander, and all of the original cast, except for Robin Williams, replaced by Dan Castellaneta, and Douglas Seale, replaced by Val Bettin. The plot mainly focused on Jafar seeking revenge on Aladdin. However, this time, with Iago on Aladdin's side, Abis Mal becomes Jafar's new henchman.[1]

Aladdin and the King of Thieves

In 1996, the second sequel to Aladdin, Aladdin and the King of Thieves was released on video. The story concludes as Aladdin and Jasmine are about to be married and Aladdin discovers that his father is still alive, but is the king of all thieves in Agrabah.[1] In 2005, screenwriter Robert Reece, who co-wrote Cinderella III: A Twist in Time and The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning, pitched a fourth Aladdin feature to DisneyToon Studios execs, although it never came to fruition.[2]

Genies

On July 15, 2015, it was reported that a live-action prequel to Aladdin is currently in development under the title, Genies. The new film will reportedly focus on genies, their realm and reveal how Aladdin's genie ended up in the lamp. The film is being written by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift. Tripp Vinson will serve as a producer through Vinson Films. If the film is a success, a live-action remake of the original film may be made.[3]

Television

Aladdin

Shortly after The Return of Jafar, the Aladdin TV series was aired on television. The episodes focused on Aladdin's adventures after the events of the second film.[4]

The Aladdin characters later made a crossover with Hercules: The Animated Series,[5] and were featured as guests in the television series House of Mouse and related works to those series—Jafar was the leader of the villains in Mickey's House of Villains.[6]

Once Upon a Time

On the TV series, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, Jafar appears as one of the main villains.[7]

Descendants

Descendants is a live-action Disney Channel Original Movie based on the lives of the children of various Disney heroes and villains when they attend the same prep school. Jafar and his son, Jay, appear in the film.

Critical reaction

The original Aladdin film has received critical acclaim. The various other aspects of the franchise, such as the direct-to-video sequels, have received mixed to negative reviews.

Cast and characters

Characters Films TV series Video game
Aladdin
(1992)
The Return of Jafar
(1994)
Aladdin and the King of Thieves
(1996)
Aladdin
(1994-1995)
Disney's Aladdin in Nasira's Revenge
(2001)
Aladdin Scott Weinger
Brad Kane (singing voice)
Scott Weinger Scott Weinger
Brad Kane (singing voice)
Genie Robin Williams Dan Castellaneta Robin Williams Dan Castellaneta
Princess Jasmine Linda Larkin
Lea Salonga (singing voice)
Linda Larkin
Liz Callaway (singing voice)
Linda Larkin Linda Larkin
Lea Salonga (singing voice)
Jafar Jonathan Freeman (Silent cameo) Jonathan Freeman
The Sultan Douglas Seale Val Bettin
Abu Frank Welker
Iago Gilbert Gottfried
Rajah Frank Welker
Russi Taylor
Frank Welker (Silent cameo)
Magic Carpet (Character does not speak)
Razoul Jim Cummings
Merchant Robin Williams
Bruce Adler (singing voice)
Bruce Adler
Gazeem Charlie Adler
Prince Achmed Corey Burton
Abis Mal Jason Alexander Jason Alexander
Cassim John Rhys-Davies
Sa'luk Jerry Orbach
The Oracle C. C. H. Pounder
Prince Uncouthma (Silent cameo) Tino Insana
Merc (Silent cameo) Dorian Harewood
Sadira (Silent cameo) Kellie Martin
Mozenrath Jonathan Brandis
Jeff Bennett
Mirage Bebe Neuwirth
Amin Damoola Jeff Bennett
Eden Debi Derryberry
Mukhtar John Kassir
Phasir Ed Gilbert
Haroud Hazi Bin James Avery
Nasira Jodi Benson

Video games

Along with the film release, three different video games based on Aladdin were released. Disney's Aladdin, a coproduction between Virgin Games and Walt Disney Feature Animation for the Genesis, was released in late 1993 and later ported to Nintendo Entertainment System, PC, Game Boy and Game Boy Color.[8] That same year, Capcom released a Super NES game, also called Disney's Aladdin, which was ported to the Game Boy Advance in 2002.[9][10] In 1994, SIMS released another game called Disney's Aladdin for the Game Gear and Master System.[11]

The television series inspired another game by Argonaut Games, entitled Aladdin: Nasira's Revenge and released in 2000 for the PlayStation and PC.[12] Also, in 2004 Vivendi Universal released Disney's Aladdin Chess Adventures, a chess computer game with the Aladdin license.[13]

The Kingdom Hearts series features a playable Aladdin world known as Agrabah.[14] In Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, the plotline is loosely related to the storyline of the original film.[14][15] In Kingdom Hearts II, it is a mixture of Aladdin and The Return of Jafar.[16] Genie is also a recurring summon in the series.[14]

Critical reaction

Game Metacritic
Disney's Aladdin 59%[17]
Disney's Aladdin in Nasira's Revenge (1994) 61%[18]

Adaptations

In November 2010 Alan Menken confirmed that a musical theatre adaptation of the show is in the works with a book written by Chad Beguelin.[19] The show premiered at the 5th Avenue Theatre from July 7–31, 2011.[20] Jonathan Freeman, who voiced Jafar in the film, played the role in the stage adaptation.[21] Adam Jacobs and Courtney Reed played Aladdin and Jasmine. Additional actors included Seán G. Griffin as the Sultan; Don Darryl Rivera as Iago; and, playing Omar, Babkak, and Kassim – a trio of characters originally conceived by the film's creators but not used – Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Brian Gonzales, and Brandon O'Neill. The show was also directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw.[22] Another production of the musical played at the Muny Theatre in St. Louis from July 5–13, 2012.[23][24] The musical premiered on Broadway on February 26, 2014 (in previews) and officially opened on March 20, 2014 at the New Amsterdam Theatre, taking the place of Mary Poppins.[25][26] The musical had a pre-Broadway tryout at the Ed Mirvish Theatre in Toronto lasting from November 13, 2013 to January 12, 2014.[27] Casey Nicholaw directed and choreographed, with Chad Beguelin writing the book and additional lyrics, Bob Crowley as the scene designer, and costume design by Gregg Barnes.[27][28] Aladdin the musical was also opened at Tokyo's Dentsu Shiki Theatre Umi in May 2015. It had its European premiere in December 2015 at the Stage Theatre Neue Flora in Hamburg. It will open in Sydney and London's West End in 2016.[29][30]

In addition, a stage adaptation of the movie has been created for younger students, known as "Disney's Aladdin Jr." Licensing and performing rights are currently being held by Music Theatre International.[31] MTI licenses both a "Kids" version (which uses doubling to foster more of an ensemble feeling among young children)[32] and a "Dual Language" version (which takes the Junior version and adds an element of half the characters speaking only in Spanish).[33]

The film also inspired a Disney On Ice presentation,[34] and two attractions in Disney's theme parks: "The Magic Carpets of Aladdin", a Dumbo the Flying Elephant-like ride at both Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort and Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Resort Paris;[35][36] and the show Disney's Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular at Disney California Adventure Park.[37]

In 2015 Disney Press launched a young adult novel series that retells Disney films but with certain elements changed. The first novel in the series is A Whole New World: A Twisted Tale, written by Liz Braswell, which retells the film but with Jafar gaining control of the genie before Aladdin does.[38]

Attractions

Music

Main article: Aladdin (soundtrack)

References

  1. 1 2 "Aladdin II & III Collection DVD Review". Ultimate Disney. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  2. Armstrong, Josh (2013-04-22). "From Snow Queen to Pinocchio II: Robert Reece's animated adventures in screenwriting". Animated Views. Retrieved 2013-04-24.
  3. Kit, Borys (2015-07-16). "'Aladdin' Live-Action Prequel in the Works at Disney (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  4. Stewart, Susan (1994-11-25). "Screen Test". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 25, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  5. "Hercules and the Arabian Night". Hercules: The Animated Series. Season 2. Hercules and the Arabian Night – Transcript. 1999-02-10. ABC.
  6. "Mickey's House of Villains DVD Review". Ultimate Disney. Archived from the original on May 5, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  7. 'Lost' in 'Wonderland'! Naveen Andrews joins 'Once Upon' spinoff in major role -- EXCLUSIVE Entertainment Weekly, Retrieved July 20, 2013
  8. Disney's Aladdin for Genesis at MobyGames. Retrieved October 6, 2010.
  9. Disney's Aladdin for SNES at MobyGames. Retrieved October 6, 2010.
  10. "Disney's Aladdin Company Line". GameSpot. 2004-05-12. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  11. Disney's Aladdin for Master System and Game Gear at MobyGames. Retrieved October 6, 2010.
  12. "Aladdin Nasira's Revenge gamespace". GameSpot. Archived from the original on March 29, 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-16.
  13. "Disney's Aladdin Chess Adventures gamespace". IGN. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
  14. 1 2 3 Birlew, Dan (2003). Kingdom Hearts Official Strategy Guide. BradyGames. ISBN 978-0-7440-0198-3.
  15. Hollinger, Elizabeth (2004). Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories Official Strategy Guide. BradyGames Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7440-0473-1.
  16. Hollinger, Elizabeth (2006). Kingdom Hearts II Official Strategy Guide. BradyGames Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7440-0526-4.
  17. http://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/disneys-aladdin
  18. http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation/disneys-aladdin-in-nasiras-revenge
  19. BWW EXCLUSIVE: Alan Menken Talks TANGLED, SISTER ACT, LEAP OF FAITH, HUNCHBACK, ALADDIN & More
  20. Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre Premieres ALADDIN, 7/7-31, Broadway World
  21. Jonathan Freeman Will Bring Jafar from Screen to Stage in Disney's Aladdin at 5th Avenue, Playbill
  22. Memphis Star James Monroe Iglehart Is Genie in Disney's Aladdin; Adam Jacobs Is Title Hero, Playbill
  23. ALADDIN, CHICAGO, DREAMGIRLS et al. Set for Muny 2012 Season
  24. 2012 Muny Season
  25. Hetrick, Adam. "Disney's 'Aladdin' Will Arrive on Broadway in February 2014" playbill.com, August 29, 2013
  26. "Disney's 'Aladdin' May Fly Into Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre Following 'Mary Poppins' " playbill.com
  27. 1 2 Breaking News: Disney's ALADDIN to Play Pre-Broadway Tryout in Toronto Starting November 2013; Broadway Spring 2014 Retrieved January 22, 2013
  28. "Disney's 'Aladdin' Will Play Toronto This Fall Prior to 2014 Broadway Premiere" playbill.com, Retrieved January 22, 2013
  29. "Aladdin Will Take a Magic Carpet Ride to Australia". Playbill. 2015-10-15. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
  30. "BREAKING: West End Premiere Of Disney's Aladdin Confirmed For June 2016". October 16, 2015. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
  31. mtishows.com
  32. mtishows.com
  33. mtishows.com
  34. Deknock, Jan (1998-03-06). "'Aladdin' Takes Fans On An Icy 'Magic-Carpet Ride'". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2009-06-04.
  35. "The Magic Carpets of Aladdin". Walt Disney World. Archived from the original on May 22, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
  36. "Les Tapis Volants – Toon Studio – Disneyland Resort Paris". Disneyland Resort Paris. Archived from the original on 2008-08-22. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
  37. "Disney's Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular". Disney's California Adventure Park. Archived from the original on June 4, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
  38. Braswell, Liz (2015). A Whole New World: A Twisted Tale. Disney Press. ISBN 9781484707708.
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