Fun Facts About The Lion King Movies You Never Knew

Posted on by Diamond

In honor of the highly anticipated Mufasa prequel movie, which delves into the backstory of the iconic Lion King character, here are some fun facts about the animated and live-action Lion King movies:

  1. It’s been 30 years since the original release of “The Lion King.” When he was still a child, Jason Weaver, the singer who voiced Simba, discussed the opportunity with his mother. Instead of getting a flat rate of 2 million dollars up front, he got a check for $100,000 and a lifetime of royalties for the 1994 film. This decision, made by his mother, showcased a remarkable foresight into the potential long-term success of the movie. When asked about it in an interview with Vlad TV, Weaver said, “She was able to see the playing field and go, ‘Wait a minute, this is going to make a lot of money over time. So, what happens when my son turns 40? Is he still going to be able to get a check from this when they eventually re-release this?”
  2. The character of Scar is based on a real-life lion named “Scar” who lived in the Masai Mara reserve in Kenya. Scar was known for his distinctive scar across his eye and his aggressive behavior towards other lions.
  3. While producing the original animated movie, the team behind “The Lion King” also worked on another Disney movie, “Pocahontas.” The two teams competed, and “The Lion King” was considered the underdog.
  4. The original opening sequence of “The Lion King” differs from what we see in the movie now. It was supposed to be more severe and dramatic, but the animators chose the iconic “Circle of Life” scene instead.
  5. Rafiki, the wise mandrill in “The Lion King,” was initially supposed to be a cheetah. However, the animators decided to use a baboon instead because they thought it would be more enjoyable.
  6. The song “Be Prepared” was almost cut in the original movie due to its dark lyrics and Nazi-like imagery. However, it was kept in after the filmmakers convinced Disney executives that it was important for the story.
  7. Jeremy Irons, who voiced Scar in the original movie, initially turned down the role but changed his mind when his son convinced him that it was a good opportunity.
  8. The Broadway musical adaptation of “The Lion King” has been running since 1997 and is the third-longest-running show in Broadway history, grossing over $8 billion worldwide.
  9. The iconic opening scene of the animated movie, with Simba being presented to the animals, was inspired by a real-life event witnessed by one of the filmmakers in Kenya.
  10. For the original animated “The Lion King” movie, the filmmakers visited Kenya and Tanzania to study the animals and their behaviors for accuracy.
  11. In the original movie, the song “Hakuna Matata” was almost cut because some of the filmmakers thought it was too silly, but it ended up becoming one of the most iconic songs in the film.
  12. The opening scene of “The Lion King” featuring the sunrise over the Pride Lands was inspired by a real-life sunrise that the filmmakers witnessed on a research trip to Africa.
  13. The filmmakers of the animated movie initially wanted to cast Sean Connery as Mufasa’s voice but ultimately chose James Earl Jones.
  14. In the original animated movie, Mufasa’s roar combined a lion’s and a tiger’s roar.
  15. The Lion King 1 1/2 was originally going to be titled The Lion King 3: Hakuna Matata, but the title was changed to reflect that it was more of a companion piece than a true sequel.
  16. The voice of Kovu in The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride was provided by Jason Marsden, who also voiced Max in A Goofy Movie and Haku in Spirited Away.
  17. The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride was the first direct-to-video Disney sequel to feature a completely original storyline rather than being a retelling of the original film.
  18. Despite the mixed reviews, the live-action “Lion King” was a commercial success, grossing over $1.6 billion worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing animated film ever.
  19. The filmmakers inspired the 2019 movie’s settings using actual African landscapes, including the Pride Lands and the Elephant Graveyard.
  20. After Simba’s first encounter with the hyenas, the film was supposed to feature a lullaby sung by Sarabi called “The Lion in the Moon,” about a protective lion spirit.

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