Josh Gad Faces Backlash After Defending Disney’s Posthumous Use of Robin Williams’ Voice

Earlier today, Disney Legend and Frozen star Josh Gad revealed that the late Robin Williams was brought back to life, so to speak, to reprise his Genie role in the new Disney short called Once Upon a Studio. 

Robin Williams and His Controversial Return

At first, responses to this news — particularly since the short was using “previously unheard audio” that Robin Williams had recorded as the Aladdin character — were very positive. Disney fans were pleased and touched to hear Robin Williams back in action.

Just hours later, however, it seems that Josh Gad and Disney have been facing some backlash regarding the big reveal! 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Josh Gad (@joshgad)

Josh Gad’s initial announcement came after the premiere of Once Upon a Studio during the poignant Annecy International Animation Festival. 

“I nearly cried when I was told Olaf would appear alongside the Genie, utilizing previously unheard audio from my idol #RobinWilliams,” Josh Gad wrote in the Instagram post shown above.

Less than a day later, the recently-inaugurated Disney Legend has spoken up again in a defensive tone, implying that he and Disney are starting to face some very negative feedback regarding the use of Robin Williams’ voice. 

An “Unmatched” Love Between Actors

“It’s important to not jump to conclusions before knowing all the facts,” Josh Gad began in the Instagram post shown below (which includes a photo of Gad smiling alongside Williams). “Me getting to act alongside my idol posthumously, using previously unheard dialogue, would NEVER EVER happen without the consent of his estate.”

“My love for Robin Williams is literally unmatched and I would never do anything unless I was guaranteed that it was with all of the proper sign-off and support,” the Beauty and the Beast and Frozen star declared.

“What Disney animation has done with the INCREDIBLE short #OnceUponATimeInAStudio is not only a love letter to my creative hero (and the reason I wanted to play Olaf in the first place), but to a 100 year legacy that is truly unmatched. Please, just enjoy the nice things!” the actor entreated. 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Josh Gad (@joshgad)

“Enjoy the Nice Things”

Are you surprised to learn that people have supposedly been lashing out at Josh Gad and Disney Animation for choosing to support the use of a deceased actor’s voice in a Disney project?

Were you happy to just “enjoy the nice things” as Gad suggested and happy to watch Once Upon a Studio during the Annecy International Animation Festival, or were you one of the people who complained about the posthumous return of Robin Williams?