Howard the Duck Was Such a Mess, Robin Williams Had to Quit - Gizmodo

Director Willard Huyck’s 1986 film Howard the Duck has since gone on to become beloved for all of its raunchy weirdness.

Even by today’s standards, a character like Howard the Duck’s a bit of an odd choice to build an entire film around, if only because he doesn’t have quite the same name recognition as other Marvel heroes like the Avengers or the X-Men.

While the voice role ultimately went to Broadway actor Chip Zien, in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he revealed that Robin Williams was originally meant to star as Howard.

I am being handcuffed in order to match the flapping duck’s bill.’” Zien said.

“I felt like I was dragging Howard the Duck up a hill by myself with my teeth the whole time,” Thompson said.

Even though Williams’ exit, Thompson’s concerns, and much of the negative buzz about Howard the Duck were all early signs that the movie might not be a smash success, the studio stilled seemed intent on ignoring the obvious as shooting wrapped.

When Zien saw the movie in a theater, he couldn’t help himself from warning other audience members with children that Howard the Duck wasn’t exactly for kids.

“I was supposed to be Howard the Duck as a fill-in host on Entertainment Tonight,” Zien recalled.

I know nothing about puppets so I’m sure this wouldn’t have worked, but it seems like “don’t lose Robin Williams” is a decent movie production goal