Disney Directors Just Confirmed This Popular Aladdin Fan Theory

2 minute read

Over two decades after Aladdin premiered, one of the movie’s most popular fan theories has been given the official stamp of approval.

Ron Clements and John Musker, the directors of Aladdin, Hercules and The Little Mermaid, confirmed to E! News that the Peddler in the the movie, who opens the film with his famous “Welcome to Agrabah” monologue, is actually the Genie.

“I saw something that speculates that the peddler at the beginning of Aladdin is the Genie. That’s true!” Clements told E!. “That was the whole intention, originally. We even had that at the end of the movie, where he would reveal himself to be the Genie, and of course Robin did the voice of the peddler. Just through story changes and some editing, we lost the reveal at the end. So, that’s an urban legend that actually is true.”

It’s not often that fans have their far-flung theories confirmed, so this one—based on how both the Genie and the peddler have four fingers and Robin Williams’ voice—was definitely a victory for diehard Aladdin watchers.

The directing pair also shot down a few rumors: that Aladdin was set in a post-apocalyptic future, that Ariel in The Little Mermaid explored the wreckage from Elsa and Anna’s parents shipwreck in Frozen, and that Hercules witnessed Aladdin and Jasmine’s magic carpet ride from afar.

[E!]

See Exclusive Pictures from the Upcoming Peanuts Animated Film

Peanuts Movie Charlie Brown Snoopy
Charlie Brown (center) with Marcie (left), Peppermint Patty and Linus (right) in The Peanuts Movie.20th Century Fox/Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Lucy, Snoopy and Woodstock in the new movie
Lucy, Snoopy and Woodstock in The Peanuts Movie.20th Century Fox/Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Snoopy and Fifi in the peanuts movie
Snoopy and Fifi in The Peanuts Movie.20th Century Fox/Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Charlie Brown and Linus in the peanuts movie
Charlie Brown and Linus in The Peanuts Movie.20th Century Fox/Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Schroeder and Lucy in the new Peanuts movie.
Schroeder and Lucy in The Peanuts Movie.20th Century Fox/Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Charlie Brown, Snoopy and Woodstock in the peanuts movie
Charlie Brown, Snoopy and Woodstock in The Peanuts Movie.20th Century Fox/Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Charlie Brown Peanuts Movie
Charlie Brown in The Peanuts Movie.20th Century Fox/Peanuts Worldwide LLC

More Must-Reads From TIME

Write to Julia Zorthian at julia.zorthian@time.com