Robin Williams Was Set to Star in George Lucas’s Iconic Miss for Marvel, But Stepped Down After Just Three Days

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The Actor’s Remarkable Escape from a Superhero Movie Disaster

The actor managed to dodge one of the significant flops in the realm of superhero cinema. The unfortunate title is Howard the Duck, which, despite being one of Marvel’s first forays into feature films, served as a glaring example of how not to adapt comic book characters for the big screen.

Howard the Duck
Universal Pictures

The Struggles of a Production

With renowned filmmaker George Lucas on board as producer, the project faced overwhelming challenges throughout its development. Many had doubts about the viability of a film centered around a duck, causing difficulties for director William Huyck, who previously collaborated with Lucas on successful projects like American Graffiti and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Ultimately, the film was met with dismal outcomes: it earned only $38 million at the box office, a far cry from recouping its production budget.

Behind the Scenes: A Change in Casting

Initially, a comedic legend was slated to lend his voice to Howard—the iconic Robin Williams. However, just before production commenced, he opted out of the project due to technical issues that made it challenging to sync his voice with the animatronic puppet. Williams, known for his animated and lively performances in films like Aladdin, struggled to match his energetic style to the calmer portrayal required for Howard the Duck.

“Robin said on the third day, ‘I can’t do this. It’s insane. I can’t find the rhythm. I feel trapped,’” recalled Chip Zien, the voice actor who eventually took on the role, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. Zien was informed of the sudden change on Memorial Day in 1985 with the news that he needed to replace Williams and be prepared to travel immediately for the role. “I was ecstatic!” he added.

Production Challenges and Unforeseen Outcomes

But the hurdles didn’t stop there. Originally, Howard the Duck was envisioned as an animated film. However, contractual obligations forced a dramatic shift to live-action filmmaking. Lucas, who had tasted enormous success with both Star Wars and Indiana Jones, believed this project would lead to another blockbuster franchise. Instead, the film’s woeful reception led to the resignation of Frank Price, Universal Pictures’ president, just months after its release in September 1986.

Reflecting on the film’s legacy, actress Lea Thompson stated, “People now appreciate the movie in the spirit it was made. It was an iconoclastic piece—something for the little rebels out there.” Despite its initial failure, Howard the Duck has since garnered a cult following, marking an interesting chapter in the history of superhero films and their adaptations from original comic book sources.

This article explores the tumultuous journey of Howard the Duck, highlighting its challenges and the artistic evolution that shaped it into a cultural reference point, albeit a controversial one. Through strategic keyword placement and a nuanced delivery, this piece fits the conventions of engaging journalism formatted for online readership.

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