10 Insane Reasons Actors Didn’t Return for Sequels

Some roles just shouldn't be recast, as Will Smith found out to his detriment in 2019. Despite doing his best in the live-action remake of Aladdin, the movie did little but drive home what everyone already knew, in that Robin Williams was, is, and always will be the Genie.

Smith isn't the first to try and step into the unfillable shoes of Williams in the role, of course, as Dan Castellaneta - Homer Simpson himself - voiced the Genie in Aladdin: The Return of Jafar just two years removed from the original.

Reportedly, as part of Williams' initial contract with Disney, his voice wasn't to be used as any part of the film's marketing campaign. However, this was breached when Disney did exactly that, producing commercials and merchandise. With trust broken, Williams refused to return for the sequel, leading to the casting of Castellaneta.

There was nothing wrong with the performance of the Simpsons legend, but he just wasn't Robin Williams. Following an apology from Disney, the true voice of the Genie ultimately returned to voice one of his most iconic roles in the franchise's third outing, Aladdin and the King of Thieves in 1996. It's hard to imagine the studio going to such lengths for many other actors.