Nowadays, The Lion King is considered one of the most successful and beloved traditionally animated features of all time. There's barely anyone who does not know the name Simba or the phrase "Hakuna Matata." That being said, it might be shocking to some to know that the film was never intended to be the success it became.
Despite all of the awards and praise, it was never intended to be one of Disney's crowning achievements. Take a peek behind the scenes and discover why.
It Was Intended To Be Filler
The Lion King was considered a filler piece released during a gap period. While the studio worked on what they considered bigger and better projects. It was made to sell tickets and merch, but not much else... at first. The film was intended to be something to tide audiences and fans over until Pocahontas released. So, imagine the surprise when the studio discovered what a triumph, both financially and artistically, the film became.
A “B-Team” was Responsible For It
Pocahontas was the primary focus of Disney Animation at the time, and a lot of their biggest players were involved with it, with animators like Eric Goldberg and actors like Mel Gibson called to action.
The Lion King, while it had a star-studded cast, had the up-and-coming team that featured the likes of Andreas Deja and Burny Mattison, who would later become Disney legends. Despite their status, the team collaborated together more effectively than Disney believed they could.
It Went Full Shakespeare
The Lion King is essentially Hamlet with animals. That's a joke that's been around since the 90s, but it remains a true maxim. So true, in fact, the filmmaker's nearly went the full nine yards with the idea. When you have a classically trained actor like Jeremy Irons in the cast, certain opportunities present themselves. Scar's original dialogue featured many eloquent lines including "goodnight, sweet prince," as if that isn't hitting the nail on the head.
It Had Disney’s First Original Story
Disney has always had a reputation regarding fairytales. Think about it, look at some of the studio's biggest creations. Cinderella, Snow White, even the Oscar-nominated Beauty and the Beast was a fairytale based on another source.
The script was an original creation and was not based on anything Disney had done before—unless you consider the Kimba controversy.
Timon and Pumbaa Were Created by Chance
Timon and Pumbaa will always be one of Disney's dynamic duos. Even after over 20 years since the film's premiere, they're practically a staple of the character line-up. However, they originally were never a purposefully made pair. In fact, Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella were originally auditioning for a pair of Scar's hyenas before getting cast. The pair worked so well together, however, that the rest was history.
Cheech and Chong Were Almost Hyenas
Speaking of actors who were almost hyenas, The Lion King almost featured a Cheech and Chong reunion. Before Whoopi Goldberg was brought in as Shenzi, Tommy Chong was reportedly supposed to work alongside Cheech Marin as one of the hyenas.
Due to scheduling and timing conflicts, Chong was unavailable, and Goldberg took the reins. At least viewers still got Cheech as Banzai.
Lebo M. Almost Wasn’t Involved
There were three key components in the film's award-winning soundtrack. The first was Hans Zimmer and his invigorating scores, the second was Elton John and his star-powered songs, and the third was Lebo M., whose African compositions drove the film. At first, Lebo M. was impossible to contact, having being exiled from South Africa while under apartheid. It wasn't until he showed up at Zimmer's door that he was able to be persuaded to join the film.
The Studio Was Banking on Pocahontas’s Success
Likely inspired by Beauty and the Beast's nomination, the infamous Jeffery Katzenberg was determined to try and take home the gold with Pocahontas. While Lion King had the B-team and secondary animators, Katzenberg made sure to incorporate the best of the best for the other film.
Not to suggest that the film was given less attention from the studio, but it was clear who they put their faith in more.
Pocahontas Got the “Better” Material
Because Disney had more faith in Pocahontas than The Lion King, Katzenberg made sure that it had the best of the best that the studio could acquire. Pocahontas was given the best artists, the bigger budget, the bigger talent, names, and filmmakers that Disney could get their mitts on. From its more naturalistic visual style to its sweeping scale and score, the film was built to be Oscar bait.
It Was Never Expected to Succeed
Much to the shock and awe of the studio, their "better" project received mixed reviews due to the change in direction. The Lion King was the biggest and most successful animated feature of all time when it was originally released. A B-picture that was designed to be filler for the bigger and better project became a sensation faster than lightning. With nearly a billion dollars at the box office, multiple releases, and becoming a pop culture mainstay, it's plain to see who wears the crown.