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Produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation, The Lion King is a celebrated animated musical drama that debuted on June 15, 1994. Praised for its captivating music, compelling narrative, profound themes, and stunning animation, it became the top-grossing film of 1994. Today, it remains a timeless classic enjoyed by audiences of all ages. While many fans are familiar with some production details, there are lesser-known facts about the creation of this iconic movie. Here are ten intriguing insights into the making of The Lion King.
10. The Animation Was Handled by a Secondary Team
During the production of The Lion King, the animation was assigned to Disney's B-Team. This decision was made because the studio's A-Team was focused on another project, Pocahontas (1995), which Disney expected to outperform The Lion King. Ironically, the film deemed less promising became a global phenomenon. With a budget of $250-$260 million, The Lion King soared to earn $1.12 billion worldwide, surpassing expectations.
9. The Movie Was Nearly Named ‘King of the Jungle’
The Lion King is a globally recognized film, but it almost had a completely different name. Initially, the movie was proposed to be titled The King of the Kalahari, which later evolved into King of the Jungle. However, the producers realized that the story didn’t take place in a jungle but rather in a savannah. This realization led to the creation of the iconic title, The Lion King.
8. An Earthquake Forced Disney to Temporarily Halt Production
The production of The Lion King faced a major disruption due to an earthquake that struck Los Angeles on January 17, 1994. With just six months left before the film’s release, the earthquake caused significant damage, resulting in 57 fatalities and 8,000 injuries. The Walt Disney Animation Studios and surrounding transportation systems were heavily affected. While some animators managed to commute to the studio daily, their routines became far more challenging, and others chose to stay overnight at the studio to continue their work.
The earthquake eventually forced the Walt Disney Animation Studios to shut down entirely. To keep the project on track, animators had to take their work home. The production team coordinated the transportation of artwork and materials between animators’ homes to meet the tight deadline. Despite the immense challenges, the team persevered, and the film, crafted in garages and homes, went on to become the highest-grossing movie of 1994.
7. A Connection to the Movie Coming to America
The Lion King and Coming to America (1988) share two fascinating connections. Both films are immensely popular and widely recognized, if not seen, by nearly everyone. Additionally, James Earl Jones and Madge Sinclair, who played the king and queen in Coming to America, also lent their voices to King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi, Simba’s parents, in The Lion King. While the reason for casting this duo remains unclear, their performances are beloved by fans of the Disney classic.
6. The Hyena March Scene Drew Inspiration from Nazi Germany
Betrayal is a central theme in the movie, particularly highlighted in Scar’s song “Be Prepared,” where he reveals his plan to kill Mufasa. What many viewers don’t realize is that this scene was heavily influenced by Triumph of the Will, a Nazi propaganda film. Jorgen Klubien, a member of the production team, envisioned Scar as a character akin to Hitler, which shaped the direction of the scene.
The directors embraced this concept, creating a hyena march reminiscent of Nazi rallies. In the “Be Prepared” sequence, the hyenas are arranged in formations similar to those seen in Triumph of the Will. Scar’s commanding stance atop a cliff, overlooking his hyena army, mirrors how Hitler was often depicted in Nazi-era documentaries.
5. Animators Visited Kenya for Creative Inspiration
To capture authentic inspiration for The Lion King, the animators traveled to Hell’s Gate National Park in Kenya. The breathtaking valleys featured in the wildebeest stampede scene were modeled after the park’s landscapes. Additionally, the iconic Pride Rock was inspired by the unique rock formations found within Hell’s Gate National Park.
Interestingly, despite its name, Hell’s Gate National Park is home to no lions. This absence allowed the animators to fully immerse themselves in the savannah’s beauty without distractions. The park is also one of the rare locations in East Africa where visitors can explore its entirety on foot.
4. The Original Director Left When The Lion King Transitioned into a Musical
George Scribner, a long-time Disney employee, had contributed to the company in various roles over the years. Currently an animation contractor for Walt Disney Imagineering, Scribner began his career as an animator in the 1980s and gained recognition for directing Oliver & Company (1988). Given his success, Disney entrusted him with directing The Lion King. However, after six months of story development, Scribner disagreed with the producers’ decision to turn the film into a musical.
Scribner envisioned a traditional animated feature and, realizing his vision wouldn’t align with the producers’ plans, he stepped away from the project. Even the producers faced doubts as experienced animators chose other projects over The Lion King. Despite these challenges, the film defied expectations and became a monumental success. To this day, Scribner’s most notable work remains Oliver & Company. One can only wonder if he ever regretted leaving The Lion King behind.
3. A Live Lion Was Brought into the Animation Studio
Most of The Lion King was created using hand-drawn animation. To ensure realism, the animators aimed not only for accurate drawings but also for authentic depictions of lion movements. To achieve this, the producers brought a live lion into the studio for the animators to study.
The studio didn’t stop at lions—other animals were also brought in for reference. At the time, creating animated films at Disney was a labor-intensive process. Animators would sketch scenes in pencil, which were then scanned into Disney’s Computer Animation Production System, a groundbreaking tool at the time. A team of painters would digitally color the drawings, which were then layered onto painted backgrounds and transferred to film.
2. A Hyena Specialist Sued Disney for Defamation
While Scar is the primary antagonist in the film, the hyenas are also depicted negatively. As Scar’s accomplices, Shezi, Banzai, and Ed show no remorse and play a key role in the plot to kill Mufasa, the ruler of the Pride Lands. The hyenas are portrayed as ruthless creatures willing to do anything for food, further vilifying their character in the story.
While working on the film, Disney animators visited the University of California’s Field Station for Behavioral Research to consult with hyena experts and observe the animals up close. It’s widely speculated that the research facility agreed to cooperate because Disney assured them the hyenas would be portrayed positively. However, after the movie’s release, one of the biologists took issue with the depiction and filed a lawsuit against Disney for defaming hyenas.
1. A Three-Minute Scene Took Three Years to Create
One of the most iconic moments in The Lion King involves young Simba being deceived by Scar into entering a canyon, where he becomes trapped amidst a stampede of wildebeest. Realizing the danger, Mufasa rushes to save his son.
Mufasa successfully rescues Simba, but Scar’s treachery leads to Mufasa’s tragic death. What many don’t realize is that this intense three-minute sequence took Disney three years to animate. Utilizing then-nascent computer-generated technology, the animators poured immense effort into perfecting the scene. Their hard work ultimately resulted in one of the most unforgettable moments in animation history.
