News - The Lion King

06.15.2009 - 15th anniversary of The Lion King

Unbelievable, but true: The Lion King has its world premiere right today for 15. years in the Radio City Music Hall. I've thought about a lot of things to celebrate this event, but I can't come up with something that fit this historical day properly. So I decide to write down the story about the Lion King in order to set focus on the movie itself. I think it's useless to say, that this is a lifetime job, but I want to highlight some important facts considered with TLK.

Unfortunately I write down this story in German. If you are capable to read german, or babelfish or something like that isn't stupid enough for you, you can read it here: 15. TLK Jubiläum
I try to translate it as fast as possible, but I have a lot of other work to do right now. -.-

Anyway, Happy Birthday my beloved "The Lion King". :-)

03.10.2009 - Blu-ray and DVD re-release notifier

Well, some time has paste again, but I dig out something new on the web, what might interest you: A notifier for future TLK releases. For some time it wasn't there and it is a nice and interesting step, although I believe the rumor mill will reveal the date much earlier before Disney announce it. But you'll never know.
Nevertheless, this site wasn't there for some time ago, like I said and probably it's a general notification system for all Disney movies, but it could be usefull, when you're not surfing the web for news all the day. ;)

12.31.2008 - Happy New Year and maybe a release date for The Lion King

And now another year is nearly gone, so I wish you a happy new year and that the future year have some more news on TLK. :)
Apropos News: For some time I digged out this:

It is from a brazil website, that talk about a conference of Disney, which also took place in Brazil. I don't report this earlier, because I don't know what's true about it. I even don't know, yet. So be careful with such news, but perhaps it's possible to help predicting a release date.
And there is another point, I become aware of. The next year will be the 15th anniversary of The Lion King. I don't know how to appreciate this special event, but I hope I will came up with something.

01.17.2007 - The Lion King on Blu-Ray Disk!?

There is a trailer on the new new "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" DVD, where is a list of upcomming releases of Disney movies, who will be released on Blu-Ray Disk. In case you have the question: what is a Blu-Ray Disk than take a look on the following links:
Blu-Ray
High-definition video
I'm looking forward to this release, because I'm interesseting to know in wich way the new standard improves the movie and maybe the audio quality. Furthermore, of course, I hope that Disney takes their time to port the Movie so that we can enjoy TLK on a larger TV, perhaps to get as well the feeling back when we were in theatre or the IMAX, if you have the necessary hardware equipment.
Source: A List of Blu-Ray Releases
lionking.org

01.01.2007 - Happy New Year

I wish you a happy new year and that all your hopes and dreams come true. ;)
Maybe I this year I have enough time to complete or set some more stuff online, anyway.

04.01.2006 - There will be a fourth The Lion King Movie

Due to Information from Soti and Andreas Deja (the animator of Scar), there will be a fourth The Lion King Movie. The story take place before Simba to the time where Ahadi was King. We'll see when Mufasa and Scar were young and who Nala's Father really is.
Also Disney will use approved method and artists like Hans Zimmer, Lebo M and the old producer Jay Rifkin. Furthermore there will be 5 new songs, where the title of two of them are known, yet: "Follow your path" (by Ahadi) and "The Lion in the moon" (by Uru).
For more information please visit the thread on the Savannah, but it's in german.

btw: April Fool! :-)
Source: pride-lands.org

03.31.2006 - Kingdom Hearts II Voice Actors Listed

Bernardo C. sends this link, a comprehensive list of voice actors in Kingdom Hearts II.

The Lion King characters are voiced as follows:
Cheech Marin as Banzai
Jim Cummings as Scar (possibly Ed too)
Cam Clarke as Simba
James Earl Jones as Mufasa
Jonathan Taylor Thomas as Young Simba
Ernie Sabella as Pumbaa

So they couldn't get Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, or Whoopi Goldberg, and I'm unsure how Jonathan Taylor Thomas fits into the picture (surely he's too old to voice Simba convincingly anymore-after all, they got someone else for the "Morning Report" song). But they did get James Earl Jones, apparently...
I'm still wondering about, in what way Jonathan Tayler Thomas will povide his voice for young Simba? Or do they use old material? That's really confusing....
Source: lionking.org

03.29.2006 - Kingdom Hearts II Released in US

The game is now generally available, Lion King world and all, and Gamespot has a positive review.
Via Bernardo.
Source: lionking.org

03.25.2006 - Kingdom Hearts II Website Updated

The official U.S. website for Kingdom Hearts II has been updated with detailed information on the Lion King world and a lot of screenshots (though the dialogue subtitles are still in Japanese).
There is also detailed voice cast information on the main news page, in anticipation of the March 28 ship date.
Thanks to Ryan R.
Source: lionking.org

03.03.2006 - Kingdom Hearts II Voice Actors Confirmed

KHInsider.com has an official list of the voice actors who will appear in this game; there are lots of big names from original Disney movies, including James Woods as Hades and Bruce Boxleitner as Tron, and appearances by Dan Castellaneta, Christopher Lee, Sean Astin, and others as well, reprising familiar roles or taking over for others.
Unfortunately, however, it appears that no original Lion King voice actors are present; but then, nobody else is confirmed for known Lion King roles, so keep an eye on this site for further updates.
Via Bernardo C.
Source: lionking.org

02.11.2006 - Kingdom Hearts II U.S. Release Date Confirmed

The official press release from Square-Enix confirms that Kingdom Hearts II will be released in the U.S. on March 28, 2006. (Via Ryan R.)
In it, there's information about an "all-star" voice cast, which suggests that the original voice actors might be featured in the game. As Bernardo C. notes, the IMDB page for the game lists Jeremy Irons as the voice of Scar.
Source: lionking.org

12.28.2005 - Kingdom Hearts II Scar/Simba Footage Posted

If you just can't wait to see how the Pride Lands sequence ends in the upcoming Kingdom Hearts II game, a lengthy video has been posted here showing the climactic battle with Scar (featuring a few additional characters).
Scar seems to be considerably harder to defeat than he was in the movie. (He also seems to have only one facial expression...)
Source: lionking.org

12.20.2005 - Kingdom Hearts II U.S. Website Online

Ryan R. notes that the U.S. website for Disney/Square Enix's Kingdom Hearts II has gone live. The game, featuring many licensed Disney characters and settings, will reportedly contain a full Lion King world; although the site currently doesn't have information about that world, it's expected that it will be added as more content is developed for the site.
The release date for the game is given by the site as "Spring 2006". The Japanese version (which requires a Japanese PS2) will be released December 22. The English version is widely expected to feature voice work by the included movies' original actors, in keeping with the previous game.
Earlier Kingdom Hearts II news and press materials here.
UPDATE: The exact release dates, according to GameSpot, are: North America: March 1, 2006 Japan: December 22, 2005 Europe: Spring 2006
Source: lionking.org

12.13.2005 - From the Lion's Mouth

Source: lionking.org

11.14.2005 - TLK Expanded Score Unearthed

It's been circulating from hand to hand for a while now, but now it's been posted on an official page at Hans-Zimmer.com that a long-lost "Lion King Expanded Score" has appeared on several download sites and is achieving broad acknowledgment among fans of Zimmer's music and TLK alike.

This score contains 21 tracks, 16 of which consist of never-before-released instrumental music from Hans Zimmer's original masterpiece score. The linked site contains track information and a message discussion board, where more information can be obtained on how to find a copy of the score.
Source: lionking.org

08.24.2005 - Lion King Level in Kingdom Hearts II

Ryan R. e-mails with this bit of info: I think it should be mentioned that the sequel to Kingdom Hearts(which features Simba as a summon) will have a actual Lion King world. The creator of Kingdom Hearts II, Tetsuya Nomura, has told people in numerous interviews of The Lion King being featured as a stage in Kingdom Hearts II, whereas in Kingdom Hearts 1, the idea for Lion King to be a stage was denied. Hopefully this can get Lion King fans to check it out in the game which will be released this Winter.
Sounds like something to look forward to. Ryan mails in a follow-up (09.30.05) that it has yet to be officially confirmed by Square-Enix that the TLK world will be in the game, but it remains a strong possibility.
Confirmation of this development is reported; thanks to Zala, Ryan, and Seryi for forwarding the news!
High-res scans of the Japanese press material are available at RPGamer.com. An even better site, full of well-processed scans and screenshots, is at Kingdom Hearts Ultimania.
Source: lionking.org

02.14.2005 - DVD Exclusive Awards for TLK 1 ½

Simba B. alerts me to this information posted at UltimateDisney.com by Luke:

The Lion King 1 ½ took home five trophies at last night's DVD Exclusive Awards in Los Angeles. The direct-to-video "in-between-quel" earned the award for Best Animated DVD Movie Premiere, as well as Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Editing honors for a DVD premiere. One of the film's lead personalities, sarcastic meerkat Timon (voiced by Nathan Lane, animated by Alexis Stadermann), was commended as Best Animated Character Performance.
Source: lionking.org

2/14/2005 - DVD Exclusive Awards for TLK 1 ½

01.09.2005 TLK Going Back In the Vault

According to Amazon.com , all three Lion King movies are set to be discontinued n January 31, 2005. Get yours now while supplies last!
Thanks to Jess Walzak!
Source: lionking.org

10.14.2004 Vinyl Special Edition Soundtrack

For those fans who still have the means and the desire to play vinyl records, Disney has now apparently released a Vinyl Record Version of the Lion King Special Edition Soundtrack. It's got a unique art overlay (which, I presume, doesn't interfere with the playback), and looks really hot. Might be worth collecting even if you don't have a vinyl record player! Price is $17.99.
Thanks to Roku!
Source: lionking.org

09.21.2004 TLK Trilogy Boxed Set Art

A forum at UltimateDisney.com has the box art for the upcoming TLK Trilogy collection.

Looks like it's little more than a bunch of pre-existing clip-art composited together. Too bad they couldn't have commissioned some new original art... but I suppose it could have been worse.
Thanks to Lindsay M. for spotting this!
Source: lionking.org

09.07.2004 6-Disc Lion King Trilogy DVD Set Available for Preorder

Set for release on December 7, 2004, there's a new six-disc "Lion King Trilogy" set that you can preorder from Amazon.com or Circuit City . List price is $69.99, but the retail chains have lower prices than that.
Thanks to Lion Queen for the info!
Scroll down to the 05.05.2004 entry to see the box art for this set; also note that it's been out in Region 2 areas (such as the UK) since June 28. Thanks to Mark H. for pointing this out!
Best Buy has it too (thanks Bryan B.).
Source: lionking.org

09.02.2004 "Simba's Pride" Special Edition DVD and Soundtrack Released

The Special Edition re-release of Simba's Pride is now available everywhere, including Wal-Mart and DisneyDVD.com.
Laura (aka "coolraptor") has submitted this review:
First off, the bonus lithograph pictured on the Disney Store website is the same one that came with the DVD. It comes in a large envelope almost as nice (maybe nicer than) the litho itself. I own the original DVD release of SP but this one actually looks clearer onscreen. I don't know if it's possible that the quality could be better than the original DVD release but I swear it looks better¿for example, during the opening as the sun is rising I see details on the elephants I don't remember seeing before, such as the actual folds of skin whereas in the original DVD all I saw were silhouettes. The colors in general appear a little less intense than the original DVD release in general the film is "not so orange".
I did see the aforementioned change in Kovu's facial expression during the one instant in the Crocodile Attack screen. Why that was done beats me...he gasps straight at the camera for a split second before turning his head to the left at which point the animation looks identical to the original release. Also I noticed how the screen fades a little faster right after the Upendi sequence so we don't see Kiara and Kovu going from walking to the beat of the song to a regular walk. I had to skim through most of the movie (a bit busy today :) so if there are any other miniscule changes I did not see them¿it'll have to wait either until tomorrow when I get to actually watch the film and maybe for sharper eyes than mine.
Chapters are all the same except that the chapter entitled "Alligator Attack" is now called "Crocodile Attack". Menu pages are nice, not nearly as fun as TLK 1.5 but also no horrific 3D animation to deal with as per TLK:SE. The "Matter-Of-Facts" option is a bit annoying turned on¿it supposed to be a pop up of interesting facts you can choose to have on while watching the film. A great idea, except for the fact the pop ups block virtually the entire screen!
"One by One" short is an uplifting sequence, using a longer, modified version of the song One by One, about kids escaping their rather depressing town to go to the surrounding veldt to fly kites. "Find out why" shorts are fun but there's only five of them¿I recall quite a few more shorts existed during the One Saturday Morning run. The Timon and Pumbaa's virtual tour is possibly the least interesting of the three virtual tours and here we finally get subjected to some bad 3D animation, including the duo's new pet elephant Gertie (and yes, eventually she starts talking). Rafiki's challenge is a gourd shuffling game that plays for about five rounds. Pride Land Games consist of three games (two mathematical, one a shape game) that are extremely basic. Of all the bonus features, in fact, the Proud of Simba's Pride is by FAR the most interesting. We get to see some of the storyboards, character model sheets, and hear a few lines that never made the film, including one by Mufasa (or more accurately perhaps Mufasa's ghost) where he blames Simba for the war between the Pridelanders and Outlanders. Also, it made me respect what is still my least favorite of the TLK trilogy a little bit more when I learned how some of the things we see in the film were done intentionally to invoke a deeper meaning. For example, the animators explain how during the original we always see Pride Rock from the right but in the sequel it is nearly always shown from the left to cue in viewers that this is a different story to be viewed from a different perspective. They also try to explain some of Simba's behavior during the sequel that I had previously considered irrational. As I said, in all it made me respect TLK 2 just a bit more.
So in conclusion: the film looks a bit better and cleaner to me and the bonus features, with the exception of the Proud of Simba's Pride featurette, are disappointing. Which leads me to the question: Where are the deleted scenes? I could've sworn I had read somewhere that some of the pencil tests that have been floating around online for years (i.e., Vitani and Nuka's introductions, Zira's suicide) would be included here. I even played the games and did the safari in the hopes that maybe we would get them as rewards at the end. But there is no sign of these at all. So if someone else figures out that they are on theÂ disc and how to get them, let the rest of us know, OK?
The soundtrack has also been re-released, according to DisneyStore.com; it doesn't contain all the songs from "Return to Pride Rock", the original edition of the soundtrack; the original (non-TLK-related) Lebo M. songs have been omitted.
Source: lionking.org