Aladdin set for DVD release

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Disney has announced an Oct. 5 DVD launch of its cartoon "Aladdin," which has been off the market entirely for the past 10 years.

Buena Vista Home Entertainment president Robert Chapek says the nine-month alert to retailers gives the studio time to organize one of its biggest marketing campaigns ever and finish work on the two-disc DVD Platinum special edition ($29.99) featuring the most advanced interactivites yet.

Daily Variety reports hopes that Robin Williams, voice of the genie will participate in yet-to-be-recorded bonus interviews. Williams impersonations not used in the movie are W.C. Fields, former President George H.W. Bush, John Wayne, Sylvester Stallone and George C. Scott as Patton.

Other bonuses include a deleted song by Oscar-winning songwriters Howard Ashman and Alan Menken set to new animation, two audio commentaries, a virtual carpet ride and a 3-D Genie lamp tour.

First-time DVD editions of "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Lion King" generated $120 million and $160 million respectively.