The Real Story Behind The Return of Jafar (Ep. 377)

With Drew Taylor sidelined by a broken foot, Jim Hill takes the controls for a solo edition of Fine Tooning packed with animation news and Disney history. Jim checks in on DreamWorks Animation's Forgotten Island, Studio Ghibli Fest, Dana Terrace's Knights of Guinevere, and Drew's new making-of book, The Art of Wildwood. Then he digs into Bob Chapek's new memoir, Behind the Castle Walls, and questions the former Disney CEO's account of how The Return of Jafar came to be. Along the way, Jim revisits The Rescuers Down Under, Disney's early sequel strategy, and the Robin Williams dispute that complicated any plans for another theatrical Aladdin adventure.

NEWS

• DreamWorks Animation's Forgotten Island shows encouraging word of mouth despite a disappointing start at the box office.
• Studio Ghibli Fest brings Spirited Away: Live on Stage back to theaters for another special screening.
• Episode Two of Dana Terrace's Knights of Guinevere arrives on Glitch's YouTube channel.
• Drew Taylor's new Rizzoli book, The Art of Wildwood, goes behind the scenes of Laika's upcoming stop-motion feature.

FEATURE

• Jim examines Bob Chapek's claim that he pushed Disney Animation to create an Aladdin sequel after the original film became a VHS phenomenon.
• The Rescuers Down Under complicates the idea that Disney's animation executives were fundamentally opposed to theatrical sequels.
• Robin Williams' very public falling-out with Disney created a major obstacle to producing another Aladdin movie for theaters.
• The Return of Jafar ultimately became a direct-to-video blockbuster after beginning life as material connected to Disney's Aladdin animated television series.

HOSTS

• Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | jimhillmedia.com
• Drew Taylor - X/Twitter: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | drewtaylor.work

FOLLOW

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SUPPORT

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PRODUCTION CREDITS

Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com

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