Featured Image Credit: 20th Century Studios
Topics: Robin Williams, Nostalgia, US News, Film and TV, Artificial Intelligence
Liv Bridge
Topics: Robin Williams, Nostalgia, US News, Film and TV, Artificial Intelligence
A star from Mrs. Doubtfire has high hopes Robin Williams' iconic voice could be 'brought back' for more generations to enjoy.
The classic 1990s movie arguably wouldn't have such a revered status if it wasn't for the late actor bringing the adored Mrs Doubtfire to life.
Tragically, Williams died by suicide at the age of 63 in 2014, after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
The adored actor and comedian shot to notoriety for his talent in voice acting, as expertly executed in his portrayal of a divorced man disguised as an elderly British nanny in the movie, as well as Genie in Disney's Aladdin, Ramon and Lovelace in Happy Feet, and Fender in Robots, to name just a few.
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Now, Matthew Lawrence, who played the role of Williams' onscreen son in Mrs. Doubtfire, 12-year-old Chris Hillard, has ignited hopes the next generation will get to hear his magical voice once more.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, the 45-year-old said: "Obviously, with the respect and with the okay from his family, I would love to do something really special with his voice, because I know for a generation, that voice is just so iconic.
“It’s not just the fact that I knew him and worked with him and so it’s in my head — it’s in everybody’s head. And it would be so cool," he said at EW's Comic-Con on Friday.
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Lawrence suggested the five-time Grammy winner's vocals ought to become the next 'voice' of artificial intelligence, claiming he was struck by the idea after watching one of the star's old commercials.
Describing the ad, he explained: “It’s kinda like this very contemporary, modern, almost sort of foreshadowing of what’s going on commercial that he did, where he did this computerized voiceover.
"And it always stuck with me. And then, during his passing, with the AI coming out, I’m like, ‘Man, he’s gotta be the voice of A.I. He’s gotta be the voice in something.’ So yeah, I would love to do that.”
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The possibilities of using his voice in programming are endless, as Lawrence cheered the idea of having the star give out driving directions.
"It would be Robin!” he said. “It would be so cool. I’m telling you.”
The idea comes as the death of the iconic Good Will Hunting star not only stopped talks of a sequel to the beloved 1993 comedy in its tracks, but outright ruled it out.
Director Chris Columbus revealed to Business Insider in 2023 that without Williams, there is no Mrs. Doubtfire.
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Columbus told the news outlet, however, that there had been talks of a sequel in 2014 and a script had even been prepared.
"We had a script that was written and it was the last time I saw Robin," he said. "I went to his house and we sat down and talked about it and the script was really strong. Robin’s only comment was, ‘Boss, do I have to be in the suit as much this time?’ It was physically demanding.
"For Robin, I think it was like running a marathon every day he was in the Doubtfire costume. He was older, obviously. So we talked about it and I think he was hoping in the rewrite we would cut back on the Doubtfire character. But then Robin passed away so there will never be a sequel to Mrs. Doubtfire," he added.