fan theories

The Directors of Aladdin Confirm a Much-Beloved Theory About the Genie

Photo: Disney Productions

Speaking with E! News earlier this week, Aladdin directors Ron Clements and John Musker addressed a series of fan theories that have followed the classic Disney film since its release in 1992. For starters: No, it’s not set in a post-apocalyptic future, and Scott Weinger, the voice of Aladdin, never recorded the words “take off your clothes” for a subliminal sexual message in the scene with a tiger on the balcony. The main question that has been on the forefront of viewers’ minds, though, is whether or not the peddler in the opening scenes is actually the Genie in disguise. Fans correctly pointed out that the peddler, like the Genie, only has four fingers, and both characters are voiced by Robin Williams. This one is indeed true, according to Clements:

I saw something that speculates that the peddler at the beginning of Aladdin is the Genie. That’s true! That was the whole intention, originally. We even had that at the end of the movie, where he would reveal himself to be the Genie, and of course Robin did the voice of the peddler. Just through story changes and some editing, we lost the reveal at the end. So, that’s an urban legend that actually is true.

No word yet if the Genie is a member of the Illuminati.

Aladdin Directors Confirm Popular Theory