How Sacha Baron Cohen's Improv Rewrote the Success of 'Madagascar'

Sacha Baron Cohen's Improvised Audition Rewrote Madagascar's Script: How King Julien Became a Star The animated film Madagascar, released in 2005, has become a global phenomenon spawning sequels and spin-offs. However, the film's success wasn't always certain. A recent video by 'Alex | Pop Culture Brain' reveals how Sacha Baron Cohen's audition dramatically changed the film's trajectory. Initially, the character of King Julien was a minor role with only a couple of lines. But when Cohen auditioned, he improvised eight minutes of dialogue using an Indian accent. "The directors loved it so much," the video states, "they rewrote the script and made Julien a much bigger part of the story." This demonstrates how improvisation and creative talent can significantly impact a film's development. The video also highlights the financial success of the Madagascar franchise, grossing over $2.2 billion. This success is largely attributed to the memorable characters, with King Julien becoming a fan favorite, even getting his own Netflix series. The story of Cohen's audition serves as a testament to the power of unexpected talent and the impact it can have on a project's overall success.