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‘Aladdin’ theory confirmed

- Bryan Alexander PHOTOS BY WALT DISNEY STUDIOS

Disney unveils surprise ending.

For years “Aladdin” fans have pushed a theory that the street peddler who shows off the magic lamp at the beginning of the 1992 animated classic also was the Genie, voiced by Robin Williams.

This is one fan theory that is entirely correct.

“Aladdin” filmmakers confirmed the twist in 2015, but now we have the proof. Walt Disney Studios is revealing the planned original ending, never fully completed, that shows the peddler transformi­ng into Genie.

USA TODAY has an exclusive look at the scene, which is part of the animated “Aladdin Signature Collection” home release (out digitally Aug. 27, on Blu-ray Sept 10).

Ron Clements, who directed “Aladdin” with John Musker, said the original ending showing the turban-wearing peddler turning into Genie was changed late in the editing process.

“That was always the intention in making the movie. The end would be this reveal – this man with the turban in the beginning was, in fact, the Genie,” Clements says. But the scene “was eliminated as ‘Aladdin’ continued to evolve.”

Fans had long reached the conclusion that Genie and the peddler were the same person based on small details, such as both characters having four fingers on each hand. A more obvious tell was that Williams voiced both characters. Along with his famed Genie, Williams brought his genius comedic skills to the small role of the peddler, who shows off the seemingly simple lamp in the beginning and gets the story started.

This original ending, which had the departing peddler hopping off his camel and transformi­ng in a whirlwind to Genie, had been drawn up in detailed storyboard­s and played against “Arabian Nights” sung by lyricist Howard Ashman. Clements says test audiences saw the rough ending and loved it.

But there were a number of changes in the pressure-packed production time, including the ending. “That last year of ‘Aladdin’ was extremely intense. And there were story changes,” Clements says.

Ultimately, the decision was made to cut the peddler to shorten the film’s conclusion, featuring Aladdin and Princess Jasmine whisking off on their magic carpet. “In terms of aesthetics, it’s better to end quicker,” Clements says.

He says he’s pleased with the existing ending, which does have Williams’ Genie reappearin­g for a final “made you look” moment.

“I have no big regrets about the way we ended up the film,” he says. “When we did ‘Aladdin,’ that was before the internet. We never anticipate­d things would be so analyzed and there would be all of these fan theories.”

He does enjoy that fans continue to find new things to talk about in his classic films with Musker, including 1989’s “Little Mermaid” and 1997’s “Hercules.”

“All this discussion is fun,” Clements says. “I’ve debunked a few myths out there. But there are some that are right on.”

 ??  ?? The peddler transforms into Genie in a whirlwind depicted on storyboard­s.
The peddler transforms into Genie in a whirlwind depicted on storyboard­s.
 ??  ?? With a bound off the camel, the peddler becomes the Genie in “Aladdin.”
With a bound off the camel, the peddler becomes the Genie in “Aladdin.”
 ??  ?? Test audiences saw the original rough ending and liked it.
Test audiences saw the original rough ending and liked it.
 ??  ?? Some fans spotted the peddler’s other identity: The Genie.
Some fans spotted the peddler’s other identity: The Genie.

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