Iago

**Iago** is the secondary antagonist of the Disney film *Aladdin* (1992) and has made appearances in various Adventureland attractions.

## History

### Background

#### Origins

Iago was alive around the 10th-14th century in the middle-eastern nation of Agrabah. Iago was pet to the scheming magic-user and royal vizier, Jafar. Iago had human-level intelligence and speech abilities (possibly connected to Jafar's magic), but pretended to be a dumb animal while around others, causing him to develop a hatred for the sultan who would frequently shove crackers in Iago's mouth. Together, Iago and Jafar conspired to find the Lamp of the Genie within the Cave of Wonders to take over the kingdom.

After failing to acquire the lamp, Iago proposed an alternative-scheme of having Jafar marry the sultan's daughter Princess Jasmine so he could become sultan before having both Jasmine and her father killed. This plan became complicated when the lamp of the genie was acquired by a thief named Aladdin who had a romance with Jasmine under the guise of Prince Ali. Iago eventually stole the lamp and brought it to Jafar, where they banished Aladdin and conquered Agrabah.

Jafar and Iago lost control of Agrabah when Aladdin tricked Jafar into wishing to become an all-powerful Genie himself. This caused Jafar to be imprisoned within his own lamp, and dragged Iago off with him. The two were then imprisoned within the Cave of Wonders by the Genie.

#### Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom

At some point, Jafar's Lamp was taken by the Lord of the Underworld, Hades, under the guise of Prince Azure. Hades plotted to take over the many realms of the Magic Kingdom through assembling the shattered pieces of the Crystal of the Magic Kingdom. Upon freeing Jafar, Hades wished to take over the land of Adventureland, find the missing piece of the Crystal, and to capture the wizard Merlin.

While Jafar was successful in seizing control over Adventureland for Hades, he struggled to capture Merlin. Iago found Jafar on the Caribbean island of Isla Tesoro before being chased off by pirates. Meanwhile, Iago and Jafar schemed to betray Hades and trap him within the Cave of Wonders. When Iago was tasked with stealing the Sultan's magic ring to locate the Crystal of the Magic Kingdom, he was attacked by Merlin's apprentices who defeated him. Iago later joined Jafar in fighting Merlin, the Genie and other apprentices only for Jafar to be trapped within the lamp, Hades' plans foiled, and Iago zapped by Merlin's magic.

#### Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management)

By the 1990s, Iago was still alive and free under unknown circumstances. Using Hollywood bird agents, he purchased the *Enchanted Tiki Room* in Polynesia, which he co-owned with fellow bird Zazu from the Pride Lands of Africa. Iago intended on transforming the Tiki Room into a revue centred around himself, only to anger the goddess of disaster, Uh-Oa. Uh-Oa maimed Iago as punishment and it is likely that following this, the two birds revoked or reduced their management of the Tiki Room.

## Jungle Cruise appearances

### Jungle Cruise

Iago appears on the, "Official Guest Skipper" cards, dancing atop a sign along the Rivers of Adventure.

### Skipper Canteen

In the Skipper Canteen's library is a book titled, "*A New Way to Manage Birds*" by ***I** & Z Management Publications*. This is a reference to Iago and Zazu running the Enchanted Tiki Room in the Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management).

### Other connections

#### Adventureland

Iago will sometimes appear on Jafar's shoulder when Jafar is a meet 'n' greet character.

#### The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management)

Iago was one of the central characters in this update to the Magic Kingdom's Enchanted Tiki Room.

#### Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom

Iago assisted Jafar and Hades in their plot to take over Adventureland. He could be seen attacking Merlin in the *Pirates of the Caribbean* section of Adventureland. Guests had to fight him as a mini-boss.

## Other appearances

### Mickey's PhilharMagic

Iago knocks the Sorcerer's Hat off of Donald Duck's head.

## Trivia

* Iago is named for the main-antagonist of William Shakespeare's *Othello*.
* Incidentally, The Lion King is often affiliated with Africa at Disney's Animal Kingdom while Aladdin is connected to the Adventureland Bazaar and Tropical Hideaway. Uh-Oa would be moved to Trader Sam's Grog Grotto while being referenced in both Trader Sam's bars.
* It is unclear if Iago's agent was William or Morris. It may be implied to be William who says his client does not share credit, potentially alluding to Iago's ego.

## References

1. ↑ https://disneytips.com/guest-skipper-jungle-cruise-mc1/
2. ↑ https://www.flickr.com/photos/frikitiki/5053905980