Jim Meskimen to replace Dan Castellaneta as "Genie" in Future Games
- Details
- Published on July 21, 2014 @ 05:55 am
- Written by Joey
For those who have followed the recent Disney games, Disney Think Fast, Kinect Disneyland Adventures, and Disney Magical World, you will have noticed that Genie from Aladdin sounds differently from his previous appearances in the Disney's Aladdin trilogy and the Kingdom Hearts series.
Back around 2008, Jim Meskimen replaced Dan Castellaneta (Homer Simpson from "The Simpsons") as Genie for future Disney games. As Genie's last speaking role was back in 2006 with Kingdom Hearts II, it was unclear whether Square Enix would keep Genie's voice consistant with the series or adopt this new voice actor.
Revealed today, future installments of the Kingdom Hearts series will feature Jim Meskimen as the Genie. This means that the upcoming Re:coded HD Cinematics in Kingdom Hearts -HD 2.5 ReMIX- will be Jim's debut role as the Genie in the Kingdom Hearts series.
For those curious to hear what he sounds like as Genie, skip to 1:55 in the video below to get a glimpse at his work from 2011:
Follow Kingdom Hearts Insider on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr for the latest updates on Kingdom Hearts -HD 2.5 ReMIX- & Kingdom Hearts 3!
Source: Jim Meskimen via Twitter, video by Y2JArmyofficial
COMMENTS
I just got Disney Magical World today and I'm still not at the part with Genie sob
He sounds okay, not as wacky and crazy like Dan or Robin, but it's Genie not as, well Genie. I need to see how he'll be in Re Coded first to get a better idea.
He sounds okay, not as wacky and crazy like Dan or Robin, but it's Genie not as, well Genie. I need to see how he'll be in Re Coded first to get a better idea.
It's been a few years between when he did that and the recording for Re:coded so he probably has improved over time. Disney must have seen something in him that made him a worthy candidate for taking over the role as the Genie so I trust their choice :)
It's been a few years between when he did that and the recording for Re:coded so he probably has improved over time. Disney must have seen something in him that made him a worthy candidate for taking over the role as the Genie so I trust their choice :)
Okay, then Agrebah clips from Re Coded are ones I'm interested the most now to see how he'll do now between that and now.
It's been a few years between when he did that and the recording for Re:coded so he probably has improved over time. Disney must have seen something in him that made him a worthy candidate for taking over the role as the Genie so I trust their choice :)
Yeah hopefully you're right. I'm feeling the same about his voice in that clip, kinda eh to me. I'll remain optimistic about and reserve further judgment when 2.5 releases.
At least he's better than the new VA for Mickey.
I prefer him to Castellaneta. I believe he sounds closer to Williams
I'm excited to hear these new voices for the game. Hynden Walch should be the new voice for Alice, April Winchell as the Queen of Hearts, and we finally get to hear Jim Cummings voice the Cheshire Cat in a game.
Thank god they're not changing Aladdin and Jasmine's voice actors though.
This Genie sounds way closer to Robin Williams' original Genie. Though, he's less crazy (not so fast talking). But hey, he probably already improved since that video you linked to so I have faith in this.
[video=youtube;ARKXYosClyA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARKXYosClyA[/video]
Here's another clip of his Genie. This was recorded in 2012, but I dunno if this attraction is as old as the recordings in that game.
He may have the mannerisms right but the voice sounds nothing like Genie. This really will distract me every time I'll hear his voice. What a shame :/
You know, given what a big gamer nerd Robin Williams is, I'm surprised he hasn't done voice over work for any games. Is it completely out of the question to get him on board?
You know, given what a big gamer nerd Robin Williams is, I'm surprised he hasn't done voice over work for any games. Is it completely out of the question to get him on board?
I think it might just be too costly for them to get him.
Those videos are hardly representative of Jim Meskimen's best. Listen to this:
[youtube]iobTXPgETOY[/youtube]
Skip to 2:45 for his Robin Williams impression.
While not spot-on, it's certainly better than the "Robin-Williams-as-Genie" impression in the videos above.
Meskimen is an excellent vocal impressionist, and I couldn't be gladder to have him in this game series. I highly recommend browsing through his YouTube channel, if only to hear Shakespeare recited by thirty different celebrities.
I put him at 100 times better than Dan Castellaneta.
Not like Castellaneta was any good as Genie in the first place. I wish Castellaneta voiced another character in the games, because he's really funny, but Genie is such a hard role to replace.
Guys pretty good, though I'm still shocked with how much Robin Williams goes on how he loves vidya games, how come he doesn't voice Genie anymore?
As long as Leonard Nimoy has and Haley Joel Osment keep their roles in the games yet to come, a smile still remains on my face.
Guys pretty good, though I'm still shocked with how much Robin Williams goes on how he loves vidya games, how come he doesn't voice Genie anymore?
Money talks.
Hm, it's too early to judge whether I like him or not based on that small clip. I thought Dan did a fine job, but in all honesty, no one can best Robin at the role. That role is his own. This is a common thing to happen in the voice over industry though, so I'm neither surprised, let down or excited. We'll just see how it goes.
if Corey Burton or Jim Cummings die or retire I'm going to quit KH
Will Meskimen be re recording Genie's lines for KH2 or are we going to have 2 different Genie voices in 2.5?
Will Meskimen be re recording Genie's lines for KH2 or are we going to have 2 different Genie voices in 2.5?
Why would he rerecord for KH2? Genie didn't get any new scenes in KH2.
It will be two different Genies like how we had two different SoDs
I just got Disney Magical World today and I'm still not at the part with Genie sob
I've encountered Genie already. No voices outside of the Fab Five, Chip 'n' Dale, and Daisy.
I've encountered Genie already. No voices outside of the Fab Five, Chip 'n' Dale, and Daisy.
Yeah, I got there earlier today. But he's still credited so I'm thinking its a mistake or maybe there is a scene when you 100% everything that has him talk?
He may have the mannerisms right but the voice sounds nothing like Genie. This really will distract me every time I'll hear his voice. What a shame :/
Agreed... I've generally not noticed the VA changes in KH, but his voice sounds waaay too different. As per sounding more like Robin Williams, I'd have to disagree, after having listened to them side by side I can't say that they're similar enough for my tastes.
if Corey Burton or Jim Cummings die or retire I'm going to quit KH
If Billy Zane didn't make me quit KH, nothing will.
Besides, this guy seems pretty good, especially in the Night Before Christmas video. I think he'll do fine, and even sound closer to Robin.
Money talks.
Ahhh, should've assumed as much. Is a shame too, I know he probably isn't rolling in the doubtfire money anymore but you'd think still playin the role would be enough. But eh what do I know, I don't have the upper class probz.
This guy sounds like he's trying to do an impression of Dan trying to do an impression of Robin Williams. Really wish Robin agreed to do Genie.
Ahhh, should've assumed as much. Is a shame too, I know he probably isn't rolling in the doubtfire money anymore but you'd think still playin the role would be enough. But eh what do I know, I don't have the upper class probz.
He's still considered a high ranking actor, and he does plenty of work that brings in good money.
When I say "money talks", I specifically mean that Disney isn't willing to spend a ton of money for a dub and I don't imagine Robin Williams is willing to take any modest pay for an iconic role like Genie. It is highly likely that Disney has never asked Robin Williams to return because it has always been cheaper to hire their own Disney cast to do it.
It is highly likely that Disney has never asked Robin Williams to return because it has always been cheaper to hire their own Disney cast to do it.
It'd be nice to know if they at least asked though, especially if they just assumed he'd turn it down. Even if it were to be the case I don't see Robin as being the type of guy to come out and say "Nah they weren't going to pay me enough money." Especially if you say he is still making some good green, cause I haven't kept up with what he's been doin for the past few years =/.
I don't know, I'd just like some peace of mind on the matter cause I do thoroughly enjoy me some Robin =(.
I find it kind of odd that there are so many people surprised over the money issue. Remember, Disney couldn't afford Robin Williams for the original movie; he actually agreed to take a major pay cut in order to do it though, on the conditions that they not use his voice recordings for anything outside the movie, and that they not give his character top billing/have him be the primary focus of advertising. Both of which they did anyways. That's why he didn't voice Genie in the second movie, because he and the company had had a falling out over them ignoring his conditions. It was only after a public apology that he agreed to do the third one. Honestly, for how few lines Genie would get in a KH video game, I'm not surprised Disney wouldn't want to try to broach the subject with him. I just probably wouldn't be worth it for them, sadly.
...Of course, I never really liked Castallaneta as Genie anyhow. I mean, I love him as a voice actor, and he's brilliant, but he was always too over-the-top as Genie for me (which I suspect was more of a directing choice). I think the problem is that no one is able to play the character with the same, huge vocal range Williams was able to. Also, it seems like they always go for the lower register when Genie's 'normal' speaking voice is actually a little higher.
Genie is just a hard character to play and write for. He never turns out that good to me, because the jokes are always forced. The only reason it worked in the film is because Robin Williams ad-libbed most of the jokes. So even though I've never really liked Castallaneta as Genie, I have a lot of sympathy for anyone who has to play the character.
I'll sure miss Dan, he allways was able to do it for me :c
If only Robin Williams would replace him in KH XD
He does sound a little different. As much as I want Robbin Williams he does sound like he can do a good job. ;)
I cant really tell the difference in KH compaired to the actuall movie but if Robin Williams was to be in KH3 it would be hype!
I cant really tell the difference in KH compaired to the actuall movie but if Robin Williams was to be in KH3 it would be hype!
[FONT=century gothic]
As much as I would love to see that happen, I think the problem that would be of highest concern is how much will he want to do it? I mean, KH3 is most likely going to have a very high budget, but still to use a good deal of that for Robin Williams wouldn't be smart imo.
[/FONT]
[FONT=century gothic]
As much as I would love to see that happen, I think the problem that would be of highest concern is how much will he want to do it? I mean, KH3 is most likely going to have a very high budget, but still to use a good deal of that for Robin Williams wouldn't be smart imo.
[/FONT]I guess it would just depend if Robin would take lower pay then we could be safe knowing that we got the real deal voice actor. but as a side note the other voice actors who have voiced genie have done a very good job :)
I guess it would just depend if Robin would take lower pay then we could be safe knowing that we got the real deal voice actor. but as a side note the other voice actors who have voiced genie have done a very good job :)
[FONT=century gothic]
I'm just going off of what I think what would happen. I mean, for all we know, he could agree to do it and not want THAT much. I agree on the note that the other VAs have done a very good job at voicing Genie. Almost exactly sounding like Robin Williams. Hell, at times even sometimes better than Robin.
[/FONT]
[FONT=century gothic]
I'm just going off of what I think what would happen. I mean, for all we know, he could agree to do it and not want THAT much. I agree on the note that the other VAs have done a very good job at voicing Genie. Almost exactly sounding like Robin Williams. Hell, at times even sometimes better than Robin.
[/FONT]Well... maybe they compare to Robin but they cant beat the original :). Also you never really notice the different voice actors unless you are specifically doing so on purpose.
Well... maybe they compare to Robin but they cant beat the original :). Also you never really notice the different voice actors unless you are specifically doing so on purpose.
[FONT=century gothic]
Both very good points. I do think that the VAs they get do their job well. In my eyes, it's the goal to sound almost just like the Genie so it's as close as it can get for the fans. Or at least, that's the way I view it.
[/FONT]
[FONT=century gothic]
Both very good points. I do think that the VAs they get do their job well. In my eyes, it's the goal to sound almost just like the Genie so it's as close as it can get for the fans. Or at least, that's the way I view it.
[/FONT]In a way Im kinda jealous of all the VA for genie because they have the talent/opportunity to mimic one of the best actors ever!
I wish Robbin Williams would be the va. I always liked the original va's from the movies like James wood.
It would be nice if Robin could return but I think the new VA will do a fine job. Disney is usually pretty good at finding actors who do/can sound like the previous actor.
It would be nice if Robin could return but I think the new VA will do a fine job. Disney is usually pretty good at finding actors who do/can sound like the previous actor.
That is a good point! I used to not know the difference in the show vs the movie, at least when was little.
But Genie has so few lines that it would be a huge waste of money to ask for Robin Williams back...As much as we want him ;3
That is a good point! I used to not know the difference in the show vs the movie, at least when was little.
But Genie has so few lines that it would be a huge waste of money to ask for Robin Williams back...As much as we want him ;3
that is true. No matter how much everyone wants Robin Williams it just would not make sense budget wise to have him because he would only be in a fraction of the game :/
that is true. No matter how much everyone wants Robin Williams it just would not make sense budget wise to have him because he would only be in a fraction of the game :/
Everyone wants him so badly for the few lines that he WOULD say...
Now that's dedication!
that is true. No matter how much everyone wants Robin Williams it just would not make sense budget wise to have him because he would only be in a fraction of the game :/
I liked Dan and I think Jim will do a great job, let Robin William enjoy himself in whatever he's up too. Agrebah might be at least 20 minutes will the non text scene and battles.
Is there any place I could go to hear all 3 voices? I want to know how well they voice match
Is there any place I could go to hear all 3 voices? I want to know how well they voice match
Go to the original Post for what he first sounded as Genie, okay?
Is there any place I could go to hear all 3 voices? I want to know how well they voice match
Well, I believe the new one has a clip in this thread near the beginning, and you could just pull up KH and Robin on Youtube. Then you could just compare them that way, if you can pull up tabs~
EDIT: Robin is around 0:38, and Dan is around 1:13
[VIDEO=youtube;jBg8v6-i2z8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBg8v6-i2z8[/VIDEO]
Ok I'll do that. It always intrests me on how well people can voice match sometimes.
Ok I'll do that. It always intrests me on how well people can voice match sometimes.
I dunno if you can watch my vid, but those are the other 2 voices for ya~
I was talking with my cousin the other day about this, while we were rewatching the Magic Kingdom video. Meskimen has Robin Williams' deep range, but he can't go higher, so that's why he doesn't seem as crazy. : ( But, I dunno. Genie seems to be a really tough character to get down, because a lot of his character involves a lot of improv, and a lot of the improv Robin Williams does is pretty funny. So...I dunno. I'm sure Jim will do alright in the end.
@sonickenshin: Yeah, Genie is a tough nut to crack. It's probly cuz he's all over the place!
But Disney usually sets us up with good VA's that can please our ears, so I'm not sweating it!
I subscribed to that guy on Youtube, I didn't know he's a voice actor
I subscribed to that guy on Youtube, I didn't know he's a voice actor
Say what?! He has a YouTube?
I'm actually really bummed Dan Castellaneta couldn't stay with Kingdom Hearts, seeing as he's played in Genie in so many different things throughout the years. But, I have always trusted the makers of Kingdom Hearts and their judgement regarding the casting. Jim Meskimen wouldn't have gotten the role as the new Genie if he didn't have the talent to play him and I think we will all see that when KH3 and other future games featuring him are released.
I'm actually really bummed Dan Castellaneta couldn't stay with Kingdom Hearts, seeing as he's played in Genie in so many different things throughout the years. But, I have always trusted the makers of Kingdom Hearts and their judgement regarding the casting. Jim Meskimen wouldn't have gotten the role as the new Genie if he didn't have the talent to play him and I think we will all see that when KH3 and other future games featuring him are released.
That's a really good outlook on the situation. You're absolutely right; if he wasn't talented enough, it wouldn't be him voicing Genie.
Welcome, Voice of Reason!
That's a really good outlook on the situation. You're absolutely right; if he wasn't talented enough, it wouldn't be him voicing Genie.
Welcome, Voice of Reason!
Thanks, I'm glad you agree!
I mean, not everyone in past Kingdom Hearts games have been from the original casts of the movies, but I can't think of one person who disappointed me with their role in Kingdom Hearts. Think of Captain Jack Sparrow, William Turner, and Elizabeth. They certainly are not Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, or Kiera Knightly, but all of them did an outstanding job portraying their characters in the game.
Okay so the youtuber removed their video, so here's another one
[video=youtube;j2GVb9z0koo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2GVb9z0koo[/video]
He sounds a LOT more like Robin Williams in this video XD
Okay so the youtuber removed their video, so here's another one
[video=youtube;j2GVb9z0koo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2GVb9z0koo[/video]
Is that Jim Meskimen? If so, he sounds like a good Genie to me!
Jim sounds alright, like a mix between Dan and Robin.
I don't really mind either way. I'm not a huge fan of the Genie so I'm sure I won't have much more of a liking for him. XD
Sign
July 21, 2014 @ 06:22 amOffline