“The Lion King,” one of Disney’s animation masterpieces, continues to captivate generations since its release in 1994. Beyond Simba’s captivating story and his journey of self-discovery, the film hides a series of fascinating curiosities that go beyond the surface. From production secrets to cultural inspirations, “The Lion King” unveils a universe of intriguing details that contribute to its enduring magic. In this text, we will explore some of these curiosities, delving into the behind-the-scenes of this timeless classic and unraveling the secrets behind the African jungle of animation.

1 – THE MOVIE WOULD HAVE A DIFFERENT NAME

When they started working on the film, the creators didn’t refer to it as “The Lion King”. Titles like “The King of Kalahari” and “The King of the Jungle” were considered, with the latter initially chosen. Producer Don Hahn revealed: “When I started working on ‘The Lion King’, the film was called ‘The King of the Jungle’.” However, Disney decided to change the name after realizing that lions inhabit savannas, not jungles.

2 – IT WAS INSPIRED BY “HAMLET”

The movie “The Lion King” clearly draws inspiration from William Shakespeare’s famous play “Hamlet.” However, it is adapted for a younger audience. Mufasa can be seen as a more benevolent representation of the father of Prince Hamlet. In “Hamlet,” the ghost of the protagonist’s father urges him to avenge his death by killing his uncle Claudius, who usurped the throne. In contrast, Mufasa simply encourages Simba to assume his rightful place as king without seeking Scar’s death.

3 – THE SCRIPT UNDERWENT MANY CHANGES

The plot of “The Lion King” underwent several changes that impacted the relationships between its main characters. For instance, initially, Scar was not intended to be Simba’s uncle; instead, he would lead a group of furious baboons, not hyenas. Additionally, the baboon Rafiki was envisioned as a leopard, while Timon and Pumbaa were supposed to be Simba’s friends from the beginning of the film.

4 – SCAR WAS FRIENDS WITH THE HYENAS SINCE HE WAS A CUB

It is known that the hyenas have always been important allies of Scar, especially the trio led by Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed. This collaboration between the villain and these animals dates back a long time. When Scar was still a cub, his father, Ahadi, drove the hyenas away to protect Rafiki, who had just arrived in the Pride Lands. However, Scar became fascinated by the hyenas, sought them out, and received advice from them. Since then, Scar considered them his allies, despite the tensions between the two species.

5 – CUT SONG

In the original version of the film, there was an additional song that was cut from the final edit. Titled “The Lion of the Moon,” this song was intended to be sung by Sarabi, Simba’s mother, shortly after the protagonist’s first encounter with the hyenas. The lyrics would tell a story about the spirit of a lion tasked with the mission of protecting others of its kind.

6 – HAKUNA MATATA ALMOST DIDN’T MAKE IT INTO THE FILM

Speaking of songs, Hakuna Matata is certainly the most famous of the entire film, isn’t it? However, did you know that it was not originally part of the original script of The Lion King? Initially, the production team considered a song about Timon and Pumbaa’s habit of eating insects, which would have been titled “He’s Got It All Under Control”.

However, according to director Rob Minkoff, the team quickly realized that this wouldn’t be a suitable idea. It was only after a trip to Africa that they remembered the phrase Hakuna Matata and realized that it would fit perfectly as a song. And without a doubt, they don’t regret that change at all to this day.

7 – TWO-MINUTE SCENE TOOK TWO YEARS TO BE COMPLETED

The wildebeest stampede scene, which culminated in the tragic death of Mufasa, lasts only two and a half minutes. However, the animation team took two years to complete it, as the entire process had to be done through computer graphics. This happened at a time when computing was still in its early stages, just beginning to take the first steps towards the technological development we know today.

8 – WAS SCAR GOING TO PURSUE NALA?

In the new film, Nala flees from the Pride Lands in search of help, while in the original, she encounters Simba by chance while searching for food for the pride. However, in the 1994 version, this almost unfolded differently. Initially, it was planned for Scar to propose to Nala, promising her a more comfortable life as queen. However, she would reject this offer and be exiled from the Pride Lands, eventually finding Simba.

9 – THE FILM WOULD BE A DOCUMENTARY

It is known that “The Lion King” is a Disney film and also a musical. However, this was not the original intention for the animation. George Scribner, the director initially chosen for the film, envisioned creating a kind of animated documentary in the style of National Geographic. However, he abandoned the project upon discovering that Disney planned to turn it into another musical.

10 – DISNEY DIDN’T BELIEVE IN “THE LION KING”

In fact, “The Lion King” was produced by a secondary team of animators at Disney. And what was the reason for this? The company’s main team of animators, known as the “A” team, chose to work on “Pocahontas,” believing that this film would be more successful than “The Lion King.” Undoubtedly, some must regret that decision to this day.

11 – WOULD SIMBA LOSE TO SCAR?

In the film’s climax, Simba confronts Scar and throws him off the Pride Rock, where he is devoured by the hyenas, who abandon their loyalty after being blamed for the chaos in the Pride Lands. However, the original script had an even darker outcome. Initially, Scar would triumph over Simba, throwing him off Pride Rock. However, the protagonist would survive, and the villain would begin to laugh maniacally, believing he had won, only to be consumed by the flames engulfing the area. Aware that this ending was excessively grim, the producers chose to discard it.

12 – WERE SIMBA AND NALA COUSINS OR SIBLINGS?

Simba and Nala seem destined for each other from the start, don’t they? However, if you’re familiar with the animal world, you know there’s a possibility that they could be cousins or even siblings. In real life, lion groups typically consist of multiple females and only one or a few males responsible for breeding within the group. Excluding Scar, Mufasa was the only lion in the Pride Lands, raising the possibility that Simba and Nala were siblings or, at the very least, cousins.

“The Lion King” has transcended the boundaries of animation to become a cultural icon cherished by people of all ages around the world. As we delve into its curiosities, we immerse ourselves in a fascinating universe where behind-the-scenes insights reveal the care and dedication behind the creation of this timeless classic. From script changes to literary and cultural inspirations, every detail contributes to the richness of the cinematic experience. Behind the magic of the screens, we find stories of creativity, perseverance, and innovation that continue to captivate and inspire new generations, ensuring that “The Lion King” remains an everlasting legacy of animation.