Disney’s ‘Aladdin’ Teaser Introduces Mena Massoud as Lamp-Grabbing Hero (Video)

Though based on the same-titled tale from "One Thousand and One Nights," "Aladdin" borrowed a number of elements from the 1940 fantasy adventure "The Thief of Baghdad." Examples include a princess on the run, a flying carpet, and an evil vizier named Jaffar.

Directors John Musker and Ron Clements were set on Robin Williams playing the Genie from the start, but Disney chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg wasn't sure.  Forced to come up with alternatives, the directors reluctantly suggested Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, John Candy, Martin Short, Albert Brooks and John Goodman as potential replacements.

According to several accounts given by filmmakers over the years, animators took audio of a Williams routine and paired it with early sketches of the Genie in order to convince exec Jeffrey Katzenberg and actor Robin Williams of the casting choice. Both men loved the result, and Williams promptly signed on for the role.

Robin Williams pulled double duty as both the Genie and the merchant from the opening scene.  This was not meant to be a coincidence, as the merchant was meant to reveal himself as the Genie in disguise at the end. However, an ever-increasing movie length and a hard release date forced the directors to cut the scene.

Original sketches made Aladdin look boyish. Some filmmakers noted he even resembled Michael J. Fox in "Back to the Future."  Katzenberg, worried about how to sell Aladdin's masculinity, asked the animators to watch Tom Cruise movies as a reference point and redesign the character.

Jasmine's appearance was based on actress Jennifer Connelly as well as the sister of one of the animators.

Jafar was originally envisioned as a much more psychotic, dangerous character, while Iago was planned to be a British-voiced, calming influence. Once the directors decided to hire Gilbert Gottfried, however, the personalities were switched.

Jonathan Freeman must love playing Jafar: He has voiced the character for "Return of Jafar," "Hercules," "House of Mouse" and the "Kingdom Hearts" series.  He also originated the part on Broadway in 2011.

Also Read: ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles’ 30th: ‘Those Aren’t Pillows’ and 7 More Hysterical Zingers (Photos)

Known for his improvisational skills, Robin Williams ad-libbed much of his performance. Even much of the opening merchant scene is improv: Jeffrey Katzenberg put a table full of props in the recording room and asked Williams to try and sell him the items.

While working on "Aladdin," Williams kept in touch with his "Hook" director Steven Spielberg, who was then filming "Schindler's List." On days when Spielberg was particularly depressed from the shoot, Williams would tell him jokes over the phone to cheer him up.

Here's one you may not have picked up on yet: Every time Aladdin lies as Prince Abooboo ("Ababwa"), his prominent purple turban feather falls forward.

Not shy about self-promotion, Disney animators managed to sneak in cameos of Beast, Sebastian and Pinocchio throughout the film.

Speaking of cameos, directors Musker and Clements were snuck into the film as the two men discussing "another suitor for the princess" while Aladdin watches.

In exchange for working for union scale, Robin Williams asked the studio to not use his image (nor the Genie's), his name nor his voice to sell the movie or merchandise so that the publicity wouldn't overshadow his pet project, "Toys." Disney reneged on the deal, and Williams refused to return for the direct-to-video sequel, "Return of Jafar."

When Joe Roth took over Walt Disney Studios for Jeffrey Katzenberg in 1994, he issued a public apology to Williams on behalf of the studio. Williams returned to Disney and voiced the Genie once again for "Aladdin and the King of Thieves."

Also Read: The Boy Who Inspired ‘Hook’ and 19 Other Little-Known Facts as Film Turns 25 (Photos)