For the life of the original Night at the museum movie, one of the constants that cemented the formula was Robin Williams’ Theodore Roosevelt. Bringing the franchise universe to life through the new movie release Kahmunrah is resurrecteda big question arose as to how the show would handle the inclusion or omission of Williams’ fan-favorite character.
When you ask about the decision making process of including Teddy in this anime Disney+ (opens in a new tab) feature film, franchise producer Shawn Levy offered a sharp perspective. I had the opportunity to speak with the director of the original trilogy of films and a protective butler of the saga in general, during the press day for Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Reborn Again.
Still very active in the saga he helped put on the map in the 2006 original, here’s what Levy told Gossipify about the thought process involved in manipulating Teddy Roosevelt:
The confluence of Robin’s death with the release of [Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb] It was a very moving moment for me. We knew that Teddy was an iconic character in the film franchise. There was always going to be a Teddy, but I didn’t want anyone to play the character of Robin, plays Robin. So, in a way, it was fitting and meaningful for Tom Lennon to voice Teddy Roosevelt.
After the untimely death of Robin Williams in 2014, the third and final live-action Night at the museum the film ended up becoming a fitting, bittersweet send-off for Williams’ Teddy Roosevelt . With Ben Stiller’s Larry Daley stepping down from his post at the Natural History Museum, the story’s supposed ending left the world in one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking farewells ever to cinema.
It became so memorable that Williams’ last few lines from the clip below were used as an inspirational meme on social media. By observing this moment for yourself, you can understand why:
Between the grief still felt over Robin Williams’ death and how the film’s story ended so beautifully, it was at first strange to see Teddy Roosevelt come to life. Watch Teddy’s return via animation on Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Reborn Again This seemed to dispel all those doubts, since Thomas Lennon’s delivery matches the character that is his.
What makes it all the more fitting is, as Shawn Levy pointed out, that the comedy veteran helped create the Night at the museum cinematic cycle with audio reindeer 911 co-star and writing partner Robert Ben Garant. The two also appeared in a previous episode, and Levy’s favorite of the bunch, Battle of the Smithsonian while Garant and Lennon interpreted portraits of the Wright brothers at the Air and Space Museum.
This pedigree makes him a perfect successor to Theodore Roosevelt’s role, even if, as Thomas Lennon said in a recent interview with comicbook.es this story didn’t change the fact that she had to audition for the role in Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Reborn Again. As for Shawn Levy, this casting only reinforces the work ethic he applies to his live-action directing work:
Thomas Lennon plays Teddy, and Thomas Lennon has been with me in this franchise since he wrote the first draft of the first film 17 years ago. If you talk to anyone who’s worked with me, that’s not the approach of all directors, I really want people to have great experiences in the creative process. And I wanted to leave a good feeling, so that you can collaborate again in the future. That’s why so many actors and I have done several films together, and it was with me, Lennon and Garant. So it was really significant that Tom voiced Teddy. It felt like if anyone was going to do it, it would be someone who has been with this franchise since its inception.
Moving into the world of animation was a big change for the Night at the museum series, such as the action of Kahmunrah is resurrected becomes bigger than ever. At the same time, retaining hallmarks of the series, such as the enchanting subject matter of Alan Silvestri and the indomitable spirit of Theodore Roosevelt, makes the return trip to this New York landmark feel like nothing but a homecoming. . The magic is back Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Reborn Againbringing the world of natural history and supernatural excitement to anyone with a Disney+ subscription .
Source: Cinemablend
