“She asked me if I considered auditioning because I sound a little bit like a duck,” Zien said. “I was miffed. And I told my agent. He said, ‘Oh, my God! Someone came to you about ‘Howard the Duck?’ Chip, it’s huge! This is a great thing! I am going to call right away.’ And then I became aware that everyone in the world was auditioning for it, from big names to people like me.”
Robin Williams was cast over Zien, but according to The Hollywood Reporter’s interview: “Zien [revealed Williams] left the project within the first week out of frustration over syncing his voice to the duck’s animatronic bill. An actor to voice Howard had not been cast during production, so all of Howard’s lines were read on set by the puppeteers, and the bill moved to fit their bland delivery, rendering Williams’ wild improvisational style moot in post production.”
Related ‘Harry Potter’ Director Says ‘British-Only’ Rule Was So Serious His Child Couldn’t Even Speak in Film Kevin Smith: Weinstein Cut ‘Good Will Hunting’ Release Short to Screw with Robin Williams’ Deal Related 2023 Oscars: ‘Avatar’ Is the One to Beat in Visual Effects Oscars 2023: Remarkable Transformations Lead the Way in Makeup and Hairstyling
“What I was told was by the third day, Robin said, ‘I can’t do this. It is insane. I can’t get the rhythm of this. I am being confined. I am being handcuffed in order to match the flapping duck’s bill.’” Zien said. “So, on Memorial Day 1985, I got a call from my agent who said, ‘You have to get right to the airport! Robin Williams just quit and you’re now Howard the Duck. You need to get there tonight. There is a ticket waiting for you at the counter.’ I was incredibly excited.”
“Howard the Duck” was an infamous critical and commercial bomb when it opened in theaters, although it has earned a cult following in the decades since release. Head over to The Hollywood Reporter’s website to read more from Zien on the film’s 35th anniversary.
Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.
