The Lion King Reborn

The Lion King Reborn (known as The Lion King Adventure Pt. 1: Reborn outside of North America) is an upcoming 2018 American animated epic, adventure, musical, comedy-drama film released by Walt Disney Pictures, with under production by Walt Disney Animation Studios and YouTube, as well as being distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. It serves as "part one" of a remaster of Disney's well-known 1994 animated film The Lion King, conjoining it with its 1998 sequel The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, its 2004 midquel The Lion King 1½: Hakuna Matata and several episodes of its 2015 television sequel series The Lion Guard, while it is also the first The Lion King film to be rated PG, due to Pumbaa and Bunga's flatulence problems along with a much more deeper, serious tone in the film's analysis. It also features references from the 1995 PC game Timon and Pumbaa's Jungle Games and television series The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa, as well as having some deleted scenes from the franchise and the songs taken from the Broadway version of The Lion King in animation. The Lion King Reborn marks as the last film to be released by DisneyToon Studios after its defunct in June 2018 and to be one of the last films executive produced by John Lasseter before his retirement from his associated projects for Walt Disney Animation Studios.

It was directed by Christian Myers, co-directed by Emman V. Cortez, produced by Don Hahn, co-produced by Bradley Raymond, Rob Minkoff, Roger Allers and Howy Parkins, executive produced by Lasseter, Jeannie Roussel, Ford Riley, Rob LaDuca, Darrell Rooney, Jon Favreau and George A. Mendoza, original songs written by Elton John, Tim Rice, Beau Black and Alex Cartañá, score composed by Alan Silvestri, and story written by Myers, Don Bluth, Jim Capobianco, Lorna Cook, Thom Enriquez, Andy Gaskill, Francis Glebas, Ed Gombert, Kevin Harkey, Barry Johnson, Mark T, Jorgen Klubien, Larry Leker, Rick Maki, Burny Mattinson, Chris Sanders, Tom Sito, Gary Trousdale, Kevin Hopps, John Loy, Jack Monaco, Elise Allen, Kendall Michele Haney, Laura Sreenby, Krista Tucker and the late Joe Ranft, while the film stars an ensemble voice cast such as; Matthew Broderick as Simba, Jeremy Irons as Scar, Gabrielle Union as Nala, Eden Riegel as Kiara, Jason Marsden as Kovu, Nika Futterman as Zira, Nathan Lane as Timon, Ernie Sabella as Pumbaa, Khary Payton as Rafiki, Andy Dick as Nuka, Lacey Chabert as Vitani, Rowan Atkinson as Zazu, Blair Underwood as Makuu, Sarah Hyland as Tiifu, Madison Pettis as Zuri, Joshua Rush as Bunga, Diamond White as Fuli, with Angela Bassett as Sarabi, and Max Charles as Kion. The film dedicates to the memories of Suzanne Pleshette and Robert Guillaume, the original voices of Zira and Rafiki, who both died on January 2008 and October 2017.

Filming began in June 2017 at Stevens Point, Wisconsin, with a large cast consisting mostly of actors reprising their roles from the original films and television series. The production lasted until February 2018, shooting back-to-back with a sequel titled The Lion King Returns. Additional filming mostly took place in Kenya, Africa. With an estimated budget in the range of $316–400 million, it is one of the most expensive films ever made.

The film received universal praise for the film's screenwriting, humor, the cast (particularly Broderick, Irons, Union, Riegel, Futterman, Lane, Sabella, Payton, White, and Charles' roles), visual effects, emotional dark weight of the story, Pleshette and Guillaume's dedications, musical scores by Silvestri, and action scenes (particularly "the Lion Guard vs. Army of Scar"), although the runtime and the newcomers for the voices of characters taken from The Lion Guard received some criticism. The film is scheduled to be released in IMAX 3D and AMC Theaters, as well as being on multiple websites, including Ideas Wikia, Dailymotion and YouTube. An alternate, extended version of the film titled The Outlands Cut will soon be released after the film's initial release where it includes a subplot involving Tatiana, Nefu, Sharla, Quint, Claudia, and Mr. Pig, while the characters had their scenes cut out.

The Lion King Returns will be released with Myers returning to direct, Hahn returning to produce, Silvestri returning to compose the score, and much of the cast reprising their roles.

Plot
In the great Pride Lands of Africa, a wise mandrill named Rafiki (Khary Payton), who is the lion king's shaman, lives in his home known as the "Tree of Life". One day came to be an important day: Simba, who is the newborn son of Queen Sarabi (Angela Bassett) and King Mufasa (James Earl Jones), is born and is presented to a crowd of animals, who came from the Four Winds to Pride Rock. As Rafiki is going to retell the story, he suddenly realizes the audience has heard of the story before. He hand-draws a picture of a meerkat and warthog duo named Timon Berkowitz (Nathan Lane) and Pumbaa Smith (Ernie Sabella) before he reminds the audience that they have never known the half of the story.
 * NOTE: The plot of the film is in chronological order, so all of the events from 1½: Hakuna Matata will be occurring during the events of the first film.

Timon is a social outcast in his meerkat colony on the outskirts of Pride Rock known as the "Pit of Shame". Timon is also the son of his late Pa (Sterling K. Brown), who was the colony's greatest meerkat, nicknamed "Fearless Buzz". Though he is unconditionally supported by his mother Ma (Julie Kavner), Timon dreams for more in life than his colony's bleak existence hiding from predators. One day, he is assigned as a Sentry, but his daydreaming nearly leads to the death of his Uncle Max (Jerry Stiller) by a group of spotted hyenas named Shenzi (Whoopi Goldberg), Banzai (Cheech Marin), and Ed (Jim Cummings). This marks the last straw for the colony before Ma tries to convince his son to be back in, prompting Timon to leave and finding a better life.

On the way, however, Timon breaks into a hysterical sob, to which he moans in front of the Tree of Life. Inside, Rafiki helps, then teaches Timon about "Hakuna Matata" (meaning "No Worries" in Swahili) and advises him to "look beyond what you see". Timon takes the advice literally and observes Pride Rock in the distance. Believing Pride Rock to be his paradise home, Timon ventures there, but then bumps into Pumbaa, who now suffers from flatulence problems. The two quickly form a bond and Pumbaa accompanies Timon. The adventure starts to where Simba is being presented. The pair arrive at Pride Rock, but as they make their way through the crowd of onlookers, Pumbaa explosively passes gas, causing nearby animals to faint but prompting animals further away to bow to Mufasa. Following this, Timon and Pumbaa start to live in a small den behind Pride Rock as Rafiki holds up Simba for the animals to bow.

Mufasa shows young Simba (Jonathan Taylor Thomas) the Pride Lands and explains to him the responsibilities of kingship and the Circle of Life which connects all living things. Meanwhile, Mufasa's younger brother Scar (Jeremy Irons) covets the throne and plots to eliminate Mufasa and Simba so he may become king. He later tricks Simba and his best friend Nala (Niketa Calame) — to whom Simba is betrothed — into exploring a forbidden elephants' graveyard, where they are attacked by Shenzi, Banzai and Ed, who are now in league with Scar. Timon and Pumbaa, who are searching for their new home (to which their den got smashed by a pyramid of animals during "I Just Can't Wait to be King"), soon witness Mufasa saving the cubs and Zazu (Rowan Atkinson), who is a hornbill and the king's majordomo. Though angry with Simba, Mufasa forgives him and explains that the Great Kings of the Past watch over them from the night sky, from which he will one day watch over Simba.

Scar sets a trap for his brother and nephew, luring Simba into a gorge and having the hyenas drive a large herd of wildebeest into a stampede that will trample him. He informs Mufasa of Simba's peril, knowing the king will rush to save him. Mufasa saves Simba but ends up hanging perilously from the gorge's edge. Scar refuses to help Mufasa, instead sending him falling to his death. Scar then convinces Simba that the tragedy was Simba's own fault and advises him to flee the kingdom. He orders the hyenas to kill Simba, but he escapes. Scar tells the pride that Mufasa and Simba were killed in the stampede and steps forward as the new king, allowing a large pack of hyenas to live in the Pride Lands. With Timon and Pumbaa exhausted, since they were unknowingly caught in the stampede and fell off a waterfall, Timon decides to give up, until Pumbaa discovers a luxurious green jungle. The pair finally settle there with the philosophy of "Hakuna Matata", named Hakuna Matata Falls.

Back at the Pit of Shame, Rafiki is talking to Ma about Hakuna Matata and that her son must look beyond what he sees to find the motto. However, after an anguished Ma mistakes it for a metaphor and explains that her son takes things literally, she decides to search for Timon, much to Max's shock. After Rafiki reminds Ma, "The journey of the a thousand miles begins with the first step.", she shows her first step, and she lands squarely on Rafiki's foot.

Back at Hakuna Matata Falls, Timon and Pumbaa are building a jungle arcade, including Jungle Pinball, Bug Drop, Sling Shooter, Burper, and Hippo Hop, to which are their favorite games. They lastly thought of adding one more game, which actually failed: Bowling For Hedgehogs. Timon ends up having quills in his rear and Pumbaa starts to pull them out. The two then notice a flock of vultures in a nearby desert while they are about to feed on something. The two then charge at the vultures, scattering them away while playing "bowling for buzzards". The pair notice Simba, who collapsed nearly dead from the escape of Pride Rock and they decide to rescue, then raise him under their philosophy. For now, Simba and the duo turned their backs against the world.

Meanwhile, King Scar worries about not being favored among the Pride Landers while dealing with the problems mentioned by the hyenas and Nala. On top of that, Scar is driven mad by the delusions he has of Mufasa's ghost. To calm his mental illness, Zazu suggests Scar gets a queen, which leads Scar to choose a young adult Nala (Gabrielle Union) so they can produce cubs. However, she scratches him across the face as an act of refusal. Nala then sets out on a journey to find help against Scar's tyrannical reign.

Now a young adult, Simba (Matthew Broderick) tests Hakuna Matata to Timon and the two challenge each other in a snail-eating-contest while a group of other competitions were won by Simba. When Simba slurps all of his snails, Timon, now feeling sick from eating snails, stumbles over and faints, leaving his last snail to sluttier away. When he, Timon and Pumbaa head out of hot tub that was fart-powered by Pumbaa's flatulence problem to lay back and stargaze at the sky, Simba seems to be homesick, recalling what his father had told him years ago when they'd looked up at the stars together. He is upset when Timon's comments mock the Great Kings of the Past. Hurt by his friends' comments, Simba leaves to flop down on a rock in grief over his dead father. Meanwhile, Rafiki sits on the crown of his tree and grabs a pile of leaves, dirt, grass, and flower petals that's floating on the breeze. He takes the mixture into an empty turtle shell and investigates it until he realizes that it contains traces of Simba, who is supposed to have been dead for several years. At first, Rafiki is confused by this new knowledge, but he soon runs to his smeared drawing and, realizing that Simba is now a young adult lion, draws him with a thick red mane. Getting ready to help Simba to take his place in the Circle of Life, he takes his staff and starts to sense where the milkweed came from.

When Timon and Pumbaa are searching for a dung beetle in order to play "Bug Rugby" with Simba, he rescues them from a hungry lioness, who turns out to be Nala. She and Simba reunite and fall in love, and she urges him to return home, telling him the Pride Lands have become a drought-stricken wasteland under Scar's reign. Feeling guilty over his father's death, Simba refuses and storms off. He encounters Rafiki, who tells him that Mufasa's spirit lives on in Simba. Simba is visited by the ghost of Mufasa in the night sky, who tells him he must take his rightful place as king. Realizing he can no longer run from his past, Simba decides to return home. Too much for Timon's horror, Nala explains that Simba had run off to challenge Scar, and that they need their help. Hurt that Simba left them, Timon unsuccessfully tries to persuade Pumbaa to stay, but Pumbaa follows Simba and Nala. Timon indulges in the jungle's luxuries by himself, but loneliness starts to overcome him. Rafiki appears again and helps Timon realize that his true Hakuna Matata is with the ones he loves, prompting Timon to take off after Simba, Nala and Pumbaa.

Timon catches up and reconciles with Pumbaa, before they journey onward to Pride Rock. Aided by his friends, Simba sneaks past the hyenas at Pride Rock and confronts Scar. Scar taunts him over his role in Mufasa's death and backs him to the edge of the rock, where he reveals to Simba that HE murdered Mufasa. Enraged, Simba pins Scar to the ground and forces him to reveal the truth to the rest of the pride. As Timon and Pumbaa run into Ma and Max, who came looking for him, Timon proposes that they all help Simba by getting rid of the hyenas. Timon, Pumbaa, Nala, Sarabi, Zazu, and the lionesses fend off the hyenas, alongside Ma and Max, who are directed to construct a series of tunnels beneath the hyenas; Rafiki also arrives to join the fight. When the tunnels are finished, Max knocks down the sticks, breaking the ground under the hyenas. However, the last few get stuck, prompting Timon to dive underground and break them himself. The cave-in commences, and the hyenas are ejected through the tunnels. Scar, attempting to escape, is then cornered by Simba at the top of Pride Rock. Scar begs for mercy and attempts to blame the hyenas for his actions; Simba spares his life but orders him to leave the Pride Lands forever. Scar attacks his nephew, but Simba manages to toss him from the top of the rock. Scar survives the fall, but then gets eaten by his former henchmen of hyenas, who overheard him betray them to Simba.

With his enemies gone, Simba takes over the kingship as the rains begin to fall, restoring life to the land as he looks up at the constellation of Leo. During that time though, he banished loyal lions that worked for Scar, including a red infant cub. As Simba thanked Timon and Pumbaa for helping him, the duo knew it was time to show his meerkat colony of what it's like with no predators. A couple of days later, Timon, Pumbaa and Simba take Ma, Max, Timon's rival Fred (S. Scott Bullock), and the entire colony to live in Hakuna Matata Falls to complete his "Hakuna Matata"; and Timon is praised as their hero.

King Simba and Queen Nala's newborn daughter Kiara (Michelle Horn) is presented to the assembled animals by Rafiki as Mufasa proudly watches over the ceremony from the heavens above. Rafiki paints an emblem of Kiara on the trunk of his tree, happily commenting on the security of the pride's future. Mufasa's spirit ruffles Rafiki's mane, stopping by to visit, and through this, the baboon discovers another cub while in his tree with help from Mufasa's spirit. First, he accuses Mufasa of breaking the circle, and then he sees the new cub as trouble. In the Outlands, Nuka (Andy Dick) and Vitani (Lacey Chabert), who are the oldest siblings of Scar, had just finish their spying in the Pride Lands and rush back to report the news of Kiara to Zira (Nika Futterman), who is their mother and the leader of the "Outsiders". Nuka later requests that as the oldest, he should be king, but Zira snaps at him, reminding him that her youngest son Kovu (Ryan O'Donohue) is the Chosen One to become the next king and to fulfill Scar's dying wish, in which she speaks to Scar's spirit that soon, they will reclaim his kingdom.

A few weeks later, Kiara becomes annoyed with her father's overprotective parenting. Simba assigns Timon and Pumbaa, who come to visit him, to follow her. Kiara ignores her father's warning and the duo's attention and enters the "Outlands", where she meets Kovu, and they escape from a float of snapping crocodiles while befriending each other. When Kovu retaliates to Kiara's playing, Simba confronts the young cub just as he is confronted by Zira. Zira reminds Simba of how he exiled her and the other Outsiders, and she reveals that Scar selected Kovu to be his successor despite not being his biological father. After returning to the Pride Lands, Nala and the rest of the pride head back to Pride Rock while Simba lectures Kiara about the danger posed by the Outsiders; he then tells her that they are a part of each other.

Kion (Max Charles), the second-born cub of Simba and Nala, discovers that he has the ability to channel the roars of the Great Lions of the Past, giving him fierce power just like Scar, who had the same power before him, but, who tragically misused it for evil and lost it forever. At the instructions of Simba and Rafiki, Kion forms a team called the Lion Guard. As Kion goes against tradition and chooses his non-lion friends Bunga the honey badger (Joshua Rush), Ono the egret (Atticus Shaffer), Beshte the hippopotamus (Dusan Brown), and Fuli the cheetah (Diamond White) to populate it, Simba scolds him for not taking his new responsibilities seriously. When they save Kiara (Eden Riegel), who is now a little older, from a herd of stampeding gazelle and defeat a hyena clan led by Janja (Andrew Kishino) and Mzingo the vulture (Greg Ellis), Simba realizes that Kion has protected the Pride Lands and is indeed ready to lead his new Lion Guard.

When Kion winds up in the Outlands after falling in a river, he meets Jasiri (Maia Mitchell), a friendly female hyena, who guides him to Flat Ridge Rock to regroup with the rest of the Lion Guard and explains how she and her clan respect the Circle of Life. When Jasiri gets cornered by Janja and his clan, Kion helps her fight them off. Meanwhile, the rest of the Guard struggle to find directions to a outskirt from Pride Rock known as "Flat Ridge Rock". When Makuu (Blair Underwood) wins a Mashidano duel against Pua (Ving Rhames) and becomes the leader of the crocodile float and invades hippo territory, chaos ensues for the Pride Lands. Kion is torn between fighting and surrendering and struggles to find a middle path to stand his ground to resolve the situation. Meanwhile, Ono tries to find a way to free Bunga from his stinky smell.

Due to a misunderstanding with Rafiki about the wisdom of honey badger's following Bunga averting a flood, the animals of the Pride Lands begin to think that Bunga is the wisest animal there is, but when his advice begins to cause more harm than good, Kion and the others must find some way to stop Bunga before it's too late. Simba leaves Kiara in charge of the Pride Lands while he and Nala go to Kilio Valley to attend a funeral for an old elephant friend named Amanifu, who has just died. Upon learning of this from Mzingo, Janja decides to take advantage of Kiara's inexperience and comes up with a plan to take over the Pride Lands. Meanwhile, Simba is nervous about performing his eulogy in front of the elephants, including Amanifu's daughter, Ma Tembo (Lynette DuPree). While helping the Lion Guard drive away Janja's clan following their attempted attack on a wildebeest herd, Ono temporarily loses his vision in his left eye when he gets dirt in it. When Janja overhears the news from Mzingo and the vultures, he plans to take advantage of this by trapping the Lion Guard between two rockslides in a narrow ravine with help from Cheezi (Vargus Mason) and Chungu (Mark Hamill). Meanwhile, Rafiki tries to work on his paintings of the Lion Guard.

During the celebrated holiday of Kupatana in the Pride Lands, Kion and his friends rescue a jackal pup named Dogo (Jacob Gunether) from Janja's clan, but they soon discover that he is in a whole family of jackals and the matriarch, Reirei (Ana Gasteyer), and her husband Goigoi (Albert Brooks), manage to fool the Lion Guard into letting them stay. The Lion Guard feels as though that Fuli has no family and invite her to join their individual activities, oblivious to the fact that she enjoys being alone. Meanwhile, Bunga lets immunity go to his head after being told that he is immune to venom from Ushari the Egyptian cobra (Christian Slater), and goes to the Outlands to play in a volcano, where he is targeted by Janja and his clan.

Bunga, Kion, Ono and Beshte search for Utamu grubs. On the way, Bunga tells the story of how he met Timon and Pumbaa when he was a baby cub (Pierce Gagnon). Meanwhile, Fuli goes on a mission alone and overexerts herself, leaving her vulnerable to an attack by Mzingo's flock of vultures. A young elephant named Mtoto (Justin Felbinger) looks up to Beshte as his hero and soon sees him in action when both of them are attacked by Janja, Cheezi, and Chungu. Tamaa (C. J. Byrnes), who is a drongo bird, uses his talent to imitate the voice of any animal to gain food from others, which annoys the Lion Guard for false alarms, but soon finds himself forced by Janja's clan to help them trap a herd of impalas in the Outlands. During a rainstorm, Bunga thinks that Rafiki's paintings can predict the future and believes that Kion will fall from a high tree. Soon, he and the rest of the Lion Guard desperately try to keep Kion from climbing trees. Meanwhile, Janja, Cheezi, and Chungu plan an attack on a zebra herd led by Thurston (Kevin Schon).

Under the suggestion of Simba, the Lion Guard leads a herd of zebras led by Muhimu (Kari Wahlgren) and a herd of gazelles led by Swala (Tunisia Hardison) to a new grazing ground located at the edge of the Pride Lands in Mbali Fields, which was very difficult. One of their obstacles to get to Mbali Fields is the Outlands as the Lion Guard works to keep both herds safe from Janja's clan, even when Muhimu starts to have a baby. When Simba and Bunga get trapped in a sinkhole, the Lion Guard struggles to find a way to rescue them. While in the hole, Simba and Bunga find a tunnel that leads to Nandembo Caverns, and the Lion Guard heads to the cavern entrance along with Timon and Pumbaa in the hopes of meeting them inside. Meanwhile, Simba and Bunga realize that being raised by Timon and Pumbaa is something that they have in common.

Beshte makes friends with a timid okapi named Ajabu (Ron Funches), who has traveled to the Pride Lands to get away from Makucha the leopard (Steven Blum), but the other members of the Lion Guard think that Ajabu is imaginary due to his tendency to hide from others. When Makucha shows up in the Pride Lands however, the guard soon realizes that Beshte's new friend is real and rushes off to help Ajabu. While the Lion Guard is on night patrol, they mistake a pack of shy scavengers named "aardwolves" for hyenas. Kion roars at them which sends them flying into the Outlands and causes a massive termite infestation in the Pride Lands. The Lion Guard soon realizes their mistake and travel to the Outlands to bring the aardwolves back, including their leader Mjomba Charlie Adler, and members Haya (Ogie Banks) and Ogopa (Marieve Herington). However, Reirei and Goigoi have their sights on the aardwolves as well. The Lion Guard discovers from Laini (Meghan Strange) and her group of cute galagos that a leopard has moved into their tree. They find out that the leopard named Badilli (Jack McBrayer) has been driven out of his home by the mean leopard Mapigano (Seth Green) who has taken over his territory in Mirihi Forest in the Back Lands. The guard teaches Badilli to stand up to Mapigano and reclaim his territory.

After a failed attack on a wildebeest herd, Janja kicks Cheezi and Chungu out of the Outlands and promotes members Nne (Beau Black) and Tano (Dee Bradley Baker) to be his new seconds-in-command. While the Lion Guard makes sure that the Pride Lands' trails are safe after the big rainstorm during the Mbali Fields migration, they find Cheezi and Chungu and reluctantly let them stay. Meanwhile, Nne and Tano plan an attack on an oryx herd and ditch Janja. The Lion Guard rescues a baby baboon (Frank Welker) and Fuli is tasked with returning the baboon to its mother (Virginia Watson) on Mapango Cliffs. Along the way, she has to avoid Mzingo's flock of vultures. Meanwhile, Kiara, Tiifu (Sarah Hyland), and Zuri (Madison Pettis) get trapped on an island after a flood. The Lion Guard helps rescue them in time for Kiara to preside over the cape buffalo herd's Royal Buffalo Wallow led by Vuruga Vuruga (Watson).

Rafiki tells a story to the Lion Guard and some young animals about a terrifying beast called the "Zimwi". Kion doesn't believe that such a creature exists, but when Mtoto and his friends claim to have seen it, the Guard searches the Pride Lands to find out the truth. Soon, even Kion has to admit that the Zimwi may really exist. The next morning, Beshte prepares for a audition to a group of chorus hippos named "The Bellow Fellows" (Payton, Schon and Ace Gibson) as they emerge from the water and take their place on some rocks nearby in Big Springs. Fuli asks Beshte if these are the hippos that he needs to bellow for, and Beshte confirms it, though also adds that he's still scared. Kion reminds him that he stood up to the Zimwi, despite not knowing that it wasn't real, which gives Beshte the confidence boost he needed. He approaches the three hippos and, after a brief pause, starts to bellow. The Lion Guard are worried, though when Beshte finishes, much to his own surprise, the Bellow Fellows announce that they love it, and that he's free to start bellowing with them whenever he wants to. Beshte then asks them if he can do it now, and they begin to bellow together. Bunga replies with, "Now, that's scary.", whilst members of Basi's pod approach Beshte nearby.

Jasiri asks for Kion's help in dealing with a pride of lions, who are keeping her family away from their watering hole, including her sister Madoa (Maisie Klompus) and two cubs Tunu (Crimson Hart) and Wema (Fiona Hart). When he goes to help them out, he encounters the Outsider lions, Vitani, Nuka, Kovu, who is now having a deeper voice (Jason Marsden), and Zira, who tries to get Kion to join her side by stating that she knows about more about the Roar than he does, such as its ability to bring a brief rain shower by roaring at a cloud. Zira eventually reveals to Kion that she knew Scar. When Kion refuses to join Zira, she and her lionesses trap him. Meanwhile, the rest of the guard head to the Outlands to rescue Kion after Rafiki informs them of who the Outsider lions are.

Kion uses the Roar of the Elders in anger when Janja's clan attack Nala. As a result, Kion loses control of the Roar and its power almost harms her. Worried that he nearly hurt his mother, Kion feels that he should never use the Roar again. Meanwhile, Ono feels self–conscious after the Roar blows off his head feathers. Overhearing Kion's plans to never use the Roar again, Makuu and his float of crocodiles take advantage of the opportunity and take over the Flood Plains. With some convincing from Mufasa and Nala, Kion gains the confidence to use the Roar when he confronts Makuu.

The Lion Guard encounters two gorilla princes named Majinuni (Dan Howell) and Hafifu (Phil Lester) who have a message for Simba on behalf of their father King Sokwe of the Theluji mountains (John Rhys-Davis). However, the gorilla brothers have forgotten the message. Simba explains to Kion that every wet season, Sokwe gives Simba a message to let him know if their peace treaty still stands. The Guard goes back to the mountain to get the message with the gorilla brothers, who are reluctant to face their father. On the way, Kion, Bunga, Fuli, Ono, and Beshte experience snow for the first time.

Nala takes Kion and Kiara on a special trip to find Udugu. With Kion away, Simba leads the Lion Guard to help both an ostrich flock led by Mbuni (Russi Taylor) and Swala's gazelle herd. When Simba orders the guard to follow his command, they make matters worse. Meanwhile, Nala disappears and Kion and Kiara have to work together to find her. Afterwards, Nala reveals that Udugu is not a place but a word that means "kinship" or the bond between siblings, and Simba learns that the Lion Guard works best not when they do exactly what he does but doing what they each do best. When a legendary eagle named Hadithi (Jeffery Tambor) comes to the Pride Lands, Ono discovers that his hero is not what he seems when it turned out that he made up some of his adventures. While the Lion Guard search for leaves from the top of the tallest tree in the Pride Lands for Hadithi's Royal Mud Print ceremony, Janja, Cheezi, and Chungu target a group of klipspringers.

When Beshte's dad Basi (Kevin Michael Richardson) gets injured by a frightened young rhino while creating hippo lanes in the flood plains after a big rainstorm, Beshte must step up and make the hippo lanes instead. Meanwhile, Kion, Bunga, Ono, and Fuli lead a herd of stubborn sable antelope led by Bupu (Michael Dorn) to higher ground, and Makuu and his float of crocodiles return and try to get rid of Basi so that there will be no rules to stop them. Ono acts as a replacement for a white rhino named Kifaru (Maurice LaMarche) as his tickbird Mwenzi (Rhys Darby) to guide him to Tamasha, a sparring event at Lake Matope, after Kifaru and Mwenzi have a falling-out. Meanwhile, the other members of the Lion Guard track down the tickbird and convince him to work out his differences with Kifaru. During a confrontation at a lake, Kifaru and Mwenzi must put aside their differences in order to help the Lion Guard fight off Makuu's float.

Muhimu asks Bunga to watch over her son Hamu (Lyons Luke Mathias) while she takes some time to relax. Before long, other animals ask Bunga to watch their kids as well, including Twiga's daughter Juhudi (Ivy Bishop). While watching over the young animals, Bunga works to keep them safe from Reirei's pack, including Dogo and his siter Kijana (Amber Hood). Meanwhile, Goigoi tries to keep the Lion Guard from going to Hakuna Matata Falls to see how Bunga is getting on.

Simba gathers key leaders of the Pride Lands' different animal communities for the Savannah Summit in order to make arrangements for the upcoming dry season, including their leaders Big Baboon, Mbeya the rhino (Howy Parkins), Bupu, Twiga, Ma Tembo, Vuruga Vuruga, and Makuu. The Lion Guard get suspicious when Makuu is one of the attendees and suspect that he might ruin the summit. Meanwhile, Makuu butts heads with Bupu when he wants to have his float sleep near his herd's watering hole during the dry season. Eventually, Kion realizes that Makuu wants to change from his trouble-making ways in order to become a better leader for his float and the Pride Lands.

When the Traveling Baboon Show led by Uroho (Sinbad) arrives in the Pride Lands to perform their show, they end up stealing the other animals' food. After chasing the baboons to the Outlands, the Lion Guard has to come to their rescue when they are cornered by Janja, Cheezi, and Chungu. Ono becomes the protector of the egg that belongs to the hamerkop Kulinda (Mindy Kaling) when a harrier hawk named Mpishi (Carla Hall) leaves her hunting territory and comes to the Pride Lands to look for new food to try. When the egg hatches, Ono and the Lion Guard must keep the hamerkop chick safe from Mpishi, who teams up with Mzingo's second-in-command Mwoga (Cam Clarke).

As the dry season begins, Ma Tembo works to find a new water source, and Rafiki takes in a young mandrill named Makini (Landry Bender) as an apprentice. While fed up with always getting trampled and disturbed when the Lion Guard is near, Ushari inadvertently finds out that Kion talks to the spirit of Mufasa. When ambushed by Janja and his clan, Ushari forms an alliance with them and his friend Shupavu (Kristin Chenoweth), who is the leader of her group of skinks including her second-in-command Njano (Ford Riley), her stealthy spy Nyeusi (Gabriel C. Brown), and her seekers Nyata and Waza, and they conspire to find a way to summon the spirit of Scar. While overhearing Rafiki, Ushari learns that the Evil Lions of the Past appear in fire, and once they are summoned by the Roar of the Elders, a bakora staff can be used to talk to them. With this knowledge, Janja's clan steals Makini's bakora staff and kidnap Kiara to lure Kion and the Guard to the Outlands, with the intent on tricking Kion to Roar with enough power to make the hyenas' volcano erupt in flames. After the Guard manages to save Kiara, Janja taunts Kion until he roars in anger and unknowingly summons Scar when the volcano erupts. Ushari and the hyenas are then able to speak with Scar's spirit in the volcano after dropping the bakora staff into it. Meanwhile, the Lion Guard and Kiara return to the Pride Lands safely, but are unaware that Scar has returned.

After the Lion Guard accidentally awakens Makuu and his float from their sleep during the dry season upon unknowingly sending a stampede near their sleeping cave, the Lion Guard and Simba work to find a new place for Makuu's float to endure the dry season. During this time, a crocodile named Kiburi (Common) conspires against Makuu which leads to them getting into a Mashidano as Ushari, under Scar's orders, persuades Kiburi to have his followers Tamka (Nolan North) and Nduli (Jorge Diaz) attack Simba. After he and his followers are kicked out of Makuu's float upon Kiburi losing the Mashidano, and banished from the Pride Lands upon the attack on Simba being thwarted by the Lion Guard, Kiburi joins Janja's clan and Ushari in working for Scar, who plans to unite all the animals of the Outlands and get them under his leadership as part of his plot to take over the Pride Lands.

While working to free Thurston's zebra herd from the dry river before the mud hardens, Kion has no choice but to use the Roar on a dark cloud to make it rain. The rain from the cloud not only frees Thurston's herd, it also causes a flash flood that sends Beshte into the Outlands. After Njano informs Ushari of Beshte's presence, Scar enlists Janja, Cheezi, and Chungu to assist Shupavu's group of skinks in laying a trap to get rid of Beshte at Rocky Plato. Meanwhile, the rest of the Lion Guard head to the Outlands to search for Beshte.

As Rafiki gets Makini ready to paint for Simba's family, he gets disturbed by the antics of three young animals; elephant Chama (Jacob Bertrand), who was formerly a part of Ma Tembo's herd, sable antelope Mzaha (Cade Sutton), who was formerly a part of Bupu's herd, and monkey Furaha (Mzaha), who was formerly a part of Tumbili's troop. Meanwhile, the Lion Guard works to keep the animals of the Pride Lands safe from the threat of dry lightning. When fire from the dry lightning threatens Rafiki's tree, Chama, Mzaha, and Furaha save Rafiki and Makini and work with the Lion Guard to put out the fire.

The tsetse flies have been causing problems in the Pride Lands. Due to the Tsetse flies' dislike of zebra stripes, the Lion Guard escorts Thurston's herd and Mbeya to a source of water. Meanwhile, Scar instructs Janja's clan to get rid of Jasiri, as she is an ally of the Lion Guard and interfering in the plans to get Reirei's pack on their side. Janja's clan end up trapping Jasiri, Tunu and Wema in a steam vent. This causes her sister Madoa to enlist the Lion Guard to help rescue Jasiri with the unlikely help of Thurston.

The Ukumbusho, a performance that celebrates the friendship between the elephants and lions of the Pride Lands is being held in Mizimu Grove, and Makini is tasked with painting sunbursts on the elephants. The Lion Guard plays the original Guard which was led by a lion named Askari. As Ma Tembo states that the Guard was made up of lions at the last Ukumbusho, Makini paints Bunga, Fuli, Beshte, and Ono to look like lions while Timon and Pumbaa help them in practicing their performance. Due to Makini using yellow flowers for the elephants' sunburst paint, a swarm of bees start swarming Ma Tembo and the other elephants causing them to go on a rampage. The Lion Guard then rushes after the elephants to calm them down and save them from the bees.

When Janja, Cheezi, and Chungu target the Tikiti melons which hold water that the elephants need during the dry season, Scar orders Ushari to enlist his ferocious rock monitor acquaintance named Kenge (Kristofer Hijvu) to deal with the Lion Guard. His venomous bite temporarily paralyzes Kion, Fuli, and Beshte, causing Ono to enlist Makini to find a remedy to heal them faster while Rafiki is away. While Makini gets Ponya flowers for the remedy, Ono and Bunga are left to defend the Tikiti melons from Kenge and Janja's clan.

Under Scar's orders, Janja, Cheezi, and Chungu kidnap Zazu while he is compiling the Morning Report, and take him to the Outlands to get him to reveal royal secrets about Simba. After Kion reminisces about how Zazu once saved him and Bunga from Makuu and Pua's crocodile float when he was a little cub, the Lion Guard finds out that Zazu has been kidnapped by Janja's clan and head to the Outlands to save him.

When there is a water shortage in the Pride Lands, Simba instructs the Lion Guard to travel to the Back Lands to find the zebra leader Dhahabu (Renée Elise Goldsberry) and ask her if she is willing to share her herd's watering hole with the Pride Lands' animals. When they find Dhahabu and her herd they discover that she is a rare golden zebra. Along the way, they have to face Makucha, who he and his leap of leopards are preventing the zebras from getting their water source.

A gecko named Hodari (Justin Hires) wants to be in a crocodile float, but Makuu doesn't want Hodari in his float due to his size. Witnessing this happening, Shupavu and Njano get Hodari to be part of Kiburi's float. Kiburi then comes up with a plan to use Hodari to find out all of Makuu's fighting moves and to get past the Lion Guard.

After Scar obtains the alliance with Reirei's pack, they work with Janja's clan to cause two different attacks in the Pride Lands at the same time, forcing the Lion Guard to split up to chase them down. In order to be in two places at once and to fool both Reirei and Janja's groups, Kion enlists the help of Tamaa to imitate the Guard's voices. Meanwhile, Scar orders Janja's clan to take down Rafiki while Reirei's pack causes a distraction elsewhere. The Guard realizes that Janja's clan are heading towards Rafiki and send Tamaa to confuse Reirei's pack while they go to assist Rafiki in fighting the hyenas. However, the jackals soon find out that Tamaa is tricking them and rush off to help the hyenas. During the battle, Scar appears in the flames of a nearby fire and speaks with Janja. Kion briefly witnesses Scar's spirit before it vanishes, but is unsure of what to make of it. With the help of Tamaa and Rafiki, the Guard wins the battle and Janja and Reirei retreat with their groups. In the area where Scar appeared, a scorch mark with a strange symbol remains. Rafiki recognizes it from paintings of the past as a sign of terrible evil, and goes off to consult the paintings to be sure.

During the Kumbuka celebration honoring the day that Simba defeated Scar, Makini and the Lion Guard discuss Scar's defeat at the paws of Simba ahead, with Bunga arguing that his uncles Timon and Pumbaa were just as responsible for saving the Pride Lands as Simba. Makini becomes visibly annoyed at Bunga for detracting from Simba's efforts, and the Lion Guard universally agree that if Scar was still around, things wouldn't be very good.

Meanwhile, Scar has gathered his army: Janja, Reirei, Kiburi, Ushari, and Mzingo. As they listen intently to their leader announcing that they will be taking down both Simba and the Lion Guard, they question how, to which Scar introduces them to a friend assisting them — Sumu, a deadly Tanzanian red-clawed scorpion (Adam Driver). The sight of the scorpion startles Janja, who leaps onto Reirei and soon Kiburi in fright. However, Scar has confirmed that Sumu isn't going to sting him, and Ushari has confirmed that Sumu's poisonous venom is reserved for a more Royal target. When Sumu's orders have been confirmed, he departs. Scar declares that the day will be known as the day he returns, and defeats both Simba and the Lion Guard once and for all.

At Pride Rock, many Pride Landers, including the Lion Guard, Timon, Pumbaa, Ma Tembo's herd, Bupu's herd, Thurston's herd, Twiga's herd, Laini's group, and Mbeya's crash, have gathered for the Kumbuka ceremony. As Rafiki starts the celebration by singing "Good King Simba", Sumu sneaks to the top of Pride Rock, and injects his venom on Simba's tail. Although Simba feels the sting, his body reacts almost immediately to the poison; he collapses while Sumu sneaks away unseen and the celebration ends prematurely, with the Pride Landers looking on in horror. When the Guard, Timon and Pumbaa rush to Simba's aid, he weakly directs them to his tail, and Rafiki inspects the bloated sting mark. When he reveals it to be that of a scorpion, Kion sends Ono to search for one. Ono locates Sumu on his way back to the Outlands, and the Lion Guard chase after him. But before they can catch him, Sumu enters a hole which leads to the Outlands. Having made sure that the scorpion has left the Pride Lands, the Guard return to Pride Rock where they find Timon and Pumbaa sobbing uncontrollably, unaware of exactly how bad Simba's condition is. When they enter inside the den of Pride Rock, they find Nala and Kiara comforting the barely conscious King, while the Royal Mjuzi and his apprentice use a variety of mixtures that they hope will cure Simba. Suddenly, Rafiki remembers the cure — volcanic ash. However, he warns them that it must be recovered by sundown. With the closest volcano being the one in the Outlands, the Lion Guard offer to retrieve it. Rafiki decides to send Makini out with the Guard, and she attaches a gourd to her Bakora Staff. With everyone set, they head out. In the Outlands, Scar congratulates Sumu that the plan was a success, and knows that the Guard would be on their way. He then orders Ushari to get the other Outlanders ready.

Proceeding with the plan, Kiburi's float wait for the Lion Guard. When they arrive, Kiburi refuses to move without a fight. With time of the essence, Kion sends Beshte to deal with the crocodiles. The hippopotamuses tackles Tamka, and the force of the tackle slams him into the rest of his float. The Guard hurries through. The Guard get a little further, but bump into Reirei's pack. Kion turns to Bunga, who leaps onto some nearby rocks and bounds over the jackals, farting on them. The stench keeps the pack from stopping them and the Lion Guard runs past them while Fuli comments that she's glad that Bunga is on the Guard's side. Worn out, the Lion Guard reach the volcano. Before they can ascend to get the ash, Janja's clan arrives. The hyenas attack, and the Lion Guard defend themselves, with even Makini helping out (albeit accidentally).

They make their way up the volcano, where Kion observes the slowly setting sun. When they finally reach the highest point, Ono guides them to the volcanic ash, and Makini swiftly pours a handful into her gourd, sealing it shut and re-attaching it to her staff. When they were just about to leave, Scar reveals himself and that he was behind the attack, leading the Lion Guard to work out that the crocodile, jackal and hyena attacks were planned as well. Scar commands for his army and Ushari, Shupavu and her group of skinks, and Kiburi's float emerge. They approach the Lion Guard and, despite Kion to lead the Guard and Makini, Janja's clan suddenly block their other pathway. When the final path is blocked by Reirei's pack, the Lion Guard realize they are surrounded. As Kenge join the skinks and cobra, Kion orders Ono to find a way out, but the egret is knocked down by Mzingo and his parliament. Trapped on a ledge near the boiling lava, Kion resorts to the final option: he tells the Guard and Makini to stay together and get behind him; he also warns the Army to get out of their way. Scar warns Kion that using the Roar will simply cause the volcano to erupt, but he responds by telling Scar that he doesn't know as much about the Roar as he does, before using it in a similar manner to how he saved his mother from Makuu's float, aiming the Roar at Kiburi's float, Shupavu's group, Ushari, and Kenge. He continues to use it on Reirei's pack, and finally, Janja's clan, just before leaving. Scar demands Mzingo's parliament to get the gourd, and sends them to retrieve or destroy it.

During their escape, Makini stumbles, giving the vultures time to attack. Ono, Fuli and Bunga race back to help her, with Ono diving in and scattering the vultures before they can peck the gourd away from her staff. Mzingo sends two of his vultures to deal with Ono, while he and Mwoga aim for the gourd. They manage to knock the staff away from Makini, and the staff falls bottom-first into the lava. Ono, Fuli and Bunga tackle the final two vultures, and Makini grabs the gourd. Seeing her having difficulty removing the gourd, Ono swoops in and severes the vines holding it. Kion then uses his Roar once again to send the vultures away, and they hurry back home. Back in the volcano, Scar glares over at the defeated army, stating:

"Well...it seems the war has just begun."

The Lion Guard continues racing across the savanna, with Kion watching the sun worriedly. Fuli informs Kion that she can reach Pride Rock in time, but that she cannot carry the gourd herself. Bunga then volunteers to ride Fuli and carry the gourd himself, and the two race ahead of the rest of the Lion Guard. Nearby, a distressed Rafiki peers over the Pride Lands, fearing for his friend. He enters Pride Rock to check up on Simba, when Fuli and Bunga arrive. When Fuli trips slightly, Bunga is propelled forward. Pumbaa manages to grab Bunga on his back, and Rafiki is able to catch the gourd before it breaks.

Later, Kion and the rest of the team arrive at Pride Rock, where Simba is weak, but recovering. Rafiki orders everyone to leave Simba to his recovery, but Kion insists that he must talk to his father. He then explains to Rafiki that Scar has returned, and Rafiki worriedly agrees that Kion must speak to Simba once the king has recovered. Kion joins with the Guard and Makini at the edge of Pride Rock and reminds them with this statement:

"Lion Guard...it's our job to protect the Pride Lands. And, that job just got a lot harder. It's gonna be a tough fight...but, we will defeat Scar."

In a mid-credits scene, Simba and Rafiki send Makini and Fuli to Urembo River in the Back Lands to escort Kongwe (C. C. H. Pounder), who is a wise tortoise.

In a post-credits scene, the Lion Guard meets Kinyonga (Amy Poehler), a veiled chameleon, who knows a lot about Scar. When she promises Kion to not let any Outlander see her, she starts to slither to the Outlands to hear Scar's upcoming plan while a blind golden mole named Kuchimba (AJ McLean), who thinks is a ninja, notices her from a far distance.

Scar will Return...

Cast
Main article: Cast and crew of The Lion King Reborn and The Lion King Returns

Much of the cast from the original films and television series remained intact for part one of the remaster, but four voice actors of the original film and its sequel have died since its release. Suzanne Pleshette (who voiced Zira) has died from respiratory failure on January 19th, 2008, ten years before the film was released. Zira shows up in The Lion King Reborn, and she was voiced by Nika Futterman. Robert Guillaume (who voiced Rafiki) has died from prostate cancer on October 24th, 2017; Rafiki also shows up in The Lion King Reborn, and he was voiced by Khary Payton (who also voices the Bellow Fellow hippo leader and a teenage jackal). Madge Sinclair (who voiced Sarabi) has died after a 13-year battle with leukemia on December 20, 1995, 22 years before the film was released; Sarabi also shows up in The Lion King Reborn, and she was voiced by Angela Bassett. Zoe Leader (who voiced Sarafina) has died from cancer on March 3rd, 2015, 3 years before the film was released; Sarafina also shows up in The Lion King Reborn, and she was voiced by Sarah Paulson. This film was dedicated in memoriam to Pleshette and Guillaume.

Several characters of The Lion Guard appear to be voiced by newcomers including Terry Crews as Muhangus, Jeffrey Tambor as Hadithi, Ving Rhames as Pua, Kristin Chenoweth as Shupavu, Adam Driver as Sumu, Mark Hamill as Chungu, and Moira Kelly (who previously voiced Nala in the original The Lion King films) as an Outsider lioness. The film also features three new characters: Raven-Symoné as Mwimbaji; Rob Lowe as Jumla; and director Christian Myers as Mwandishi / Africalous. In The Lion King Reborn, there are exactly over 162 speaking characters; in the film's credits, there are over 133 voice actors listed (with several cast members uncredited including Gabriel C. Brown, C. C. H. Pounder, Amy Poehler, and AJ McLean uncredited) as 139, and having 36 additional voices, equaling it over 183 voice actors and actresses.

Son of Queen Sarabi and King Mufasa, who grows up to be king of Pride Rock. Rock singer and Toto band member Joseph Williams provided the character's singing voice. Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Matt Weinberg voiced Simba as a cub with Evan Saucedo providing the cub's singing voice in archive recordings from The Lion King and its midquel The Lion King 1½: Hakuna Matata. Mufasa's mischievous younger brother and Simba's uncle, who overtakes the throne. He was also known to be the first leader of a Lion Guard, until he used the Roar of the Elders for evil to let his powers begone. The daughter of Sarafina and Simba's best friend later mate as queen of Pride Rock. Heather Headley provided the character's singing voice. Niketa Calame voiced Nala as a cub with Laura Williams providing the cub's singing voice in archive recordings from The Lion King. Simba and Nala's daughter, Kion's older sister and Tiifu and Zuri's best friend, who soon becomes the princess of Pride Rock. Michelle Horn voiced Kiara as an infant cub with Charity Sanoy providing the cub's singing voice in archive recordings from The Lion King II: Simba's Pride. The younger son of Zira, who was hand-chosen by Scar to take revenge on Simba and to become king, by fulfilling Scar's dying wish. Ryan O'Donohue voiced Kovu as an infant cub in archive recordings from The Lion King II: Simba's Pride. Scar's widow and the leader of exiled lion groups named "Outsiders". She is also the mother of Kovu, Nuka and Vitani. A naïve warthog suffering from flatulence, who soon becomes Timon's partner and one of Simba's adoptive parents. In the end credits, Pumbaa's last name is revealed as "Smith". A wise-cracking and self-absorbed yet somewhat loyal meerkat, who becomes Pumbaa's "bestest best friend" and one of Simba's adoptive parents. He is also the son of his Ma and late Pa, nicknamed "Fearless Buzz". In the end credits, Timon's last name is revealed as "Berkowitz". Lane and Kevin Schon share Timon's voice in this film during the character's lines. A wise old mandrill ("Silly blue-bottomed baboon" as Zazu calls him) and the shaman of Pride Rock. A cheetah, who is one of Kion's best friends and the fastest member of the Lion Guard. Ariana Greenblatt voiced Fuli as a baby. A teenage Outlander spotted hyena and the reluctant member of the Lion Guard. Unlike Janja's clan, Jasiri and her hyena resistance, including her sister Madoa, respect the Circle of Life and mostly scavenge for food. A sassy spotted hyena and the leader of her clan, who invade Timon's colony before working as Scar's henchmen. Her full name is revealed as Shenzi Marie Predatora Veldetta Jacquelina Hyena by Timon. The eldest son of Zira, who is the older brother of Kovu and Vitani. Zira's daughter and Kovu and Nuka's brother, who is the princess of the Outsiders. A hornbill, who is the the majordomo ("Mufasa's little stooge" as Shenzi calls him) of the lion king and a jungle administrator. Working for the lion king, he also gives advises on his morning reports. A Nile crocodile, who becomes the leader of his float after defeating Pua in a "mashindano" (a fight for dominance in the crocodile float where the winner becomes the new leader of the float and the former leader, who is defeated, gets banished from the crocodile float). A Mexican-accented spotted hyena and Shenzi's mate. A lioness cub friend of Kiara and a member of Simba's pride, who is somewhat more sensible than her constant companion Zuri. A dim-witted spotted hyena known to use laughter to communicate with Banzai and Shenzi. A marmot, who serves as Zazu's assistant A bat-eared fox and the former leader of her pack, who ran off to their unknown fate during the battle of Pride Rock in Scar's reign. Symoné previously performed the song "Grazin' in the Grass" from the 2004 film The Lion King 1½: Hakuna Matata. A young mandrill and Rafiki's niece, who soon becomes his apprentice for the Royal Mjuzis and the reserve member of the Lion Guard. A honey badger cub, one of Kion's best friends, Timon and Pumbaa's adoptive nephew and the bravest member of the Lion Guard, who was taught to his phrase "Zuka Zama". Pierce Gagnon voiced Bunga as a baby. A young cattle egret, one of Kion's best friends and the keenest of sight of the Lion Guard. A teenage hippopotamus, one of Kion's best friends and the strongest member of the Lion Guard. Timon's caring mother, who is overly protective and attached to her son, often trying to get him accepted amongst the colony, but never succeeding. She is also the widow of Pa. Timon's paranoid, eccentric but deep down kind-hearted uncle and the head for meerkat sentries. Simba's mother, Mufasa's mate, Kiara and Kion's grandmother and the previous queen of Pride Rock. Simba and Nala's second-born son, Sarabi and Mufasa's grandson, Kiara's younger brother, the leader of the Lion Guard and the prince of Pride Rock. An impoverished Southern African lion, who, in reality, is to spy and narrate the film's climax. As Mwandishi, he is the enchanted animal in the Back Lands; as Africalous, Mwandishi is disguised as a wise hermit lion in the Pride Lands. Timon's late father, who is the bravest meerkat in Timon's colony nicknamed "Fearless Buzz". Brown was originally going to voice Scar and Mufasa's father Ahadi, which his dialogues were recorded by Carl Lumbly before the character was changed to Pa. A lioness cub friend of Kiara and a member of Simba's pride, who is somewhat vain and hates getting dirty. Nala's mother and a friend of Sarabi. A previous king of Pride Rock, Simba's father, Sarabi's mate, Kiara and Kion's grandfather and Scar's older brother. A Egyptian cobra, who becomes Scar's first leader of his army in the Outlands' volcano after bringing him back alive as a dark spirit. Scar's second commander of his hyena clan. Scar's third commander of her pack of wild jackals, who is also Goigoi's wife and the mother of Dogo, his brothers and sister Kijana. Scar's fourth commander of his float of Nile crocodiles, who were banished by Simba after tricking Makuu for a mashindano while his members tried to kill Simba. Scar's majordomo commander of his white-backed vulture Parliament. Scar's commander of her group of skinks, who are friends with Ushari. Meghan Strange was originally going to reprise her role from The Lion Guard before Chenoweth came in to re-dub her lines. A deadly Tanzanian red-clawed scorpion and Scar's assassin with highly poisonous venom. Sumu also speaks with a deep vocabulator voice. The Lion Guard developer Ford Riley was originally going to reprise his role from the television series before Driver re-dubbed Sumu's lines. However, Riley did recorded some of Driver's lines after he blew his voice, although Riley was credited as a additional voice. A stubborn, but sometimes spooked zebra and the leader of his herd. In other countries outside North America, Thurston is predicted as "Punda Milia" in the film's credits. An elephant, who is the daughter of her late father Aminifu and the leader of her herd of elephants. Beshte's father and the leader of the hippos. The former leader of the local Nile crocodile float shown to be capable of being kind and respecting to other animals but strictly followed the crocodile way as well. Gerald C. Rivers was originally going to reprise his role from The Lion Guard before Rhames re-dubbed his lines, while Rhames was known to voice Cobra Bubbles in the Lilo & Stitch series. One of Janja's seconds-in-command. One of Janja's seconds-in-command. Chungu was originally voiced by Kevin Schon from The Lion Guard. A wise black rhinoceros, who is the leader of his crash and a friend with the Lion Guard. Parkins was known to create the television series The Lion Guard while he served as a co-producer of the film. A thieving, conniving baboon, who excels in feigning pleasantness and charm. An elephant calf, who is a member of Ma Tembo's herd. Mtoto also looks up to Beshte as his personal hero. A frighten, but nicely galago, who is the leader of her group. An African wild dog and Reirei's mate, having interest to wreak havoc in the Pride Lands. Phil LaMarr was originally going to reprise his role as Goigoi from The Lion Guard before Brooks was cast after director Myers saw his name listed in the original 1994 film's inbox on Wikipedia. One of Janja's former seconds-in-command. Black also wrote and performed some songs for the film. One of Janja's former seconds-in-command. A baboon and the leader of his troop. The baboon was originally named "Nyani", which means "baboon" in Swahili. Two baboons, who are Uroho's followers. A kind, but empathetic buffalo and the leader of her wallow. A female elephant and the mother of Mtoto. She is also a member on Ma Tembo's herd. A zebra, a friend of Swala, Hamu's mother and the leader of her herd. Emma Bunton provided her voice in the UK release of the film. A Pride Lander toad. A gazelle, who is a friend of Muhimu and the leader of her herd. A giraffe, who is the leader of her herd and Juhudi's mother. Cartañá also wrote and performed some songs for the film. A fairly stubborn sable antelope and the leader of his herd. A stocky, well-built Back Lander leopard with incredible agility and physical strength, who is also the leader of his leap. A skeptical teenage Outlander hyena, who is Jasiri's sister. A fairly intelligent crocodile compared to his friend Tamka. A ferocious crocodile fighter being loyal to Kiburi. A keen yellow wagtail traveler. A legendary Pride Lander African eagle, who faked having invented the Hadithi Spin. Tambor re-dubbed the character's lines originally provided by John O'Hurley as they both voiced King Neptune in the television series SpongeBob SquarePants and the 2004 film The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie. An African harrier hawk, who leaves her hunting grounds to the Pride Lands looking for a rare meal. A hamerkop, who leaves her egg in Ono's nest while she builds a new nest that is safe from predators. Kulinda was originally voiced by The Lion Guard writer Elise Allen. A drongo with a talent of imitating thousands of animal calls. A rare golden zebra, who is the leader of the herd of Back Lander zebras. Bunga admires her greatly. An electric blue gecko, who becomes an honorary member on Makuu's float. A timid okapi becoming Beshte's friend and guided to the Pride Lands. A mountain gorilla, who is Hafifu's brother and a prince of the Theluji Mountains. A mountain gorilla, who is Majinuni's brother and another prince of the Theluji Mountains. A initially very timid, but friendly leopard, preferring to flee rather than stand up for himself. A logical aardwolf and a member on Mjomba's clan. An aardwolf, who is the leader of his scavenger clan. He also likes to feast on termites. A female spooked aardwolf and a member on Mjomba's clan. A female elephant and a member on Ma Tembo's herd. A friendly and playful giraffe, who is a member on Twiga's herd. An old vulture and Mzingo's second-in-command of his committee. A ostrich and the leader of her flock, whose quicken to take advice being afraid of hyenas. An aardvark, who is Muhangus' wife and the keeper of her den. Muhanga's mate. Muhangus was originally voiced by Khary Payton in The Lion Guard. A Eastern blue tongue skink, who serves as Shupavu's second-in-command. A ferocious rock monitor with a paralyzing bite, who is an acquaintance of Ushari. A blue wildebeest and the leader of his herd. Lowe previously voiced Simba in The Lion Guard. A young elephant and a outcast from Ma Tembo's herd. A young antelope and a outcast from Bupu's herd. A young red colobus and a outcast from Tumbili's troop. A grouchy and impatient member on Ma Tembo's herd. A fairly stubborn white rhinoceros with abnormally poor eyesight and Mwenzi's best friend. A red-billed oxpecker and Kifaru's best friend. A muscular-built leopard and Badili's bully. Mapigano was originally voiced by Jorge Diaz in The Lion Guard. A little jackal pup, who is Reirei and Goigoi's daughter and Dogo's sister of the jackal family. A little jackal pup, who is one of Reirei and Goigoi's sons and Kijana's brother of the jackal family. A mongoose pup and one of Mtoto's best friends. A zebra foal and a member on Thurston's herd, who is a best friend of Mtoto. A zebra foal and Muhimu's son. A young baboon, who is a friend of Mtoto and a member on Big Baboon's group. An ostrich chick, and a friend of Mtoto. A red colobus and the leader of his troop. An elephant and a member on Ma Tembo's herd. A sable antelope and a member on Bupu's herd. A young giraffe and Twiga's daughter. A Western lowland gorilla, who is the king of the Theluji Mountains and the father of Majinuni and Hafifu. A Back Lander zebra and Raha's sister. She is also a member on Dhahabu's herd. A Back Lander zebra and Starehe's brother. He is also a member on Dhahabu's herd. A mighty and snooty elephant with a British accent and sarcastic tone, who is a member on Ma Tembo's herd. A very stubborn elephant and a member on Ma Tembo's herd. A meerkat formerly on Sentry Duty before Timon takes his place. A hyena cub and a member on Jasiri's resistance. He is also the brother of Wema. A hyena cub and a member on Jasiri's resistance. She is also the sister of Tunu. A red-brownish colored meerkat, who is Timon's prankster rival and a back-gate Sentry guard at the Pit of Shame. An unseen meerkat member on Timon's colony.
 * Matthew Broderick as Simba
 * Jeremy Irons as Scar
 * Gabrielle Union as Nala
 * Eden Riegel as Kiara
 * Jason Marsden as Kovu
 * Nika Futterman as Zira
 * Ernie Sabella as Pumbaa
 * Nathan Lane as Timon
 * Khary Payton as Rafiki
 * Diamond White as Fuli
 * Maia Mitchell as Jasiri
 * Whoopi Goldberg as Shenzi
 * Andy Dick as Nuka
 * Lacey Chabert as Vitani
 * Rowan Atkinson as Zazu
 * Blair Underwood as Makuu
 * Cheech Marin as Banzai
 * Sarah Hyland as Tiifu
 * Jim Cummings as:
 * Ed
 * Gopher
 * Scar's singing voice. Cummings provided the rest of Scar's singing lines in "Be Prepared" and "I Have a Plan" when Jeremy Irons blew his voice.
 * Raven-Symoné as Mwimbaji
 * Landry Bender as Makini
 * Joshua Rush as Bunga
 * Atticus Shaffer as Ono
 * Dusan Brown as Beshte
 * Julie Kavner as Ma
 * Jerry Stiller as Uncle Max
 * Angela Bassett as Sarabi
 * Max Charles as Kion
 * Christian Myers as Mwandishi / Africalous
 * Sterling K. Brown as Pa
 * Madison Pettis as Zuri
 * Sarah Paulson as Sarafina
 * James Earl Jones as Mufasa
 * Christian Slater as Ushari
 * Andrew Kishino as Janja
 * Ana Gasteyer as Reieri
 * Common as Kiburi
 * Greg Ellis as Mzingo
 * Kristin Chenoweth as Shupavu
 * Adam Driver as Sumu
 * Kevin Schon as Thurston
 * Lynette DuPree as Ma Tembo
 * Kevin Michael Richardson as Basi
 * Ving Rhames as Pua
 * Vargus Mason as Cheezi
 * Mark Hamill as Chungu
 * Howy Parkins as Mbeya
 * Sinbad as Uroho
 * Justin Felbinger as Mtoto
 * Meghan Strange as Laini
 * Albert Brooks as Goigoi
 * Beau Black as Nne
 * Dee Bradley Baker as:
 * Tano
 * Big Baboon
 * Mwevi and Mwizi
 * Virginia Watson as:
 * Vuruga Vuruga
 * Mtoto's mother
 * Kari Wahlgren as:
 * Muhimu
 * Chura
 * Tunisia Hardison as Swala
 * Alex Cartañá as Twiga
 * Michael Dorn as Bupu
 * Steven Blum as Makucha
 * Maisie Klompus as Madoa
 * Jorge Diaz as Nduli
 * Nolan North as:
 * Tamka
 * Nyuni
 * Jeffrey Tambor as Hadithi
 * Carla Hall as Mpishi
 * Mindy Kaling as Kulinda
 * C. J. Byrnes as Tamaa
 * Renée Elise Goldsberry as Dhahabu
 * Justin Hires as Hodari
 * Ron Funches as Ajabu
 * Dan Howell as Majinuni
 * Phil Lester as Hafifu
 * Jack McBrayer as Badili
 * Ogie Banks as Haya
 * Charlie Adler as Mjomba
 * Marieve Herington as:
 * Ogopa
 * Zigo
 * Phil LaMarr as:
 * Shingo
 * Porcupine Brother #1
 * Cam Clarke as:
 * Mwoga
 * Porcupine Brother #2
 * Russi Taylor as:
 * Mbuni
 * Muhanga
 * Terry Crews as Muhangus
 * Ford Riley as Njano
 * Kristofer Hivju as Kenge
 * Rob Lowe as Jumla
 * Jacob Bertrand as Chama
 * Cade Sutton as Mzaha
 * Mekai Curtis as Furaha
 * Nick Watt as Zito
 * Maurice LaMarche as Kifaru
 * Rhys Darby as Mwenzi
 * Seth Green as Mapigano
 * Amber Hood as Kijana
 * Jacob Guenther as:
 * Dogo
 * Shauku
 * Lyons Luke Mathias as:
 * A young hippo
 * Kwato
 * Hamu
 * Jacquez Swanigan as Gumba
 * Mckenna Grace as Kambuni
 * Ace Gibson as:
 * Tumbili
 * Johari
 * Erica Luttrell as Boboka
 * Ivy Bishop as Juhudi
 * John Rhys-Davies as King Sokwe
 * Raini Rodriguez as Starehe
 * Rico Rodriguez as Raha
 * Frank Welker as Ned
 * Patrick Fraley as Jumbo Jumbo
 * Jon Favreau as a grumpy crested porcupine, who asks Bunga to play in the Outlands' volcano, although he was kidding. The porcupine was originally voiced by Khary Payton in The Lion Guard; Favreau served as a executive producer for the film.
 * Kristen Schaal as a black African duck and the leader of her flock. The character was originally voiced by Kari Wahlgren in The Lion Guard.
 * Moira Kelly as an Outsider lioness. Kelly previously voiced Nala from The Lion King film series, while Erica Luttrell originally voiced the Outsider lioness in The Lion Guard.
 * Jeff Bennett as Iron Joe
 * Crimson Hart as Tunu
 * Fiona Hart as Wema
 * Jessica DiCicco as:
 * A Pride Lander Lesser Egyptian jerboa
 * A genet
 * Torbin Xan Bullock as a yellow-billed oxpecker
 * Kate McKinnon as a female hare. The character was originally voiced by Kari Wahlgren in The Lion Guard.
 * James Corden as a mongoose. The mongoose was originally voiced by Phil LaMarr in The Lion Guard.
 * Noah Johnston as Boboka's son. Kari Wahlgren previously voiced the character in The Lion Guard.
 * Gerald C. Rivers as a male crocodile
 * Dane Cook as a Pride Lander serval, having to be afraid of heights. The character in The Lion Guard was originally voiced by Dee Bradley Baker.
 * S. Scott Bullock as Fred
 * Jason Rudofsky as Flinchy
 * Bill Hader as a sable antelope, who is a member on Bupu's herd. The character was originally voiced by Ace Gibson in The Lion Guard.
 * Sam Lavagnino as a young hippo
 * Carter Hastings as a young hippo

Additionally, several actors portrayed additional characters that were uncredited in the film, but were credited as "additional voices": Brian Tochi as a fighting hyena; Gerald C. Rivers as the other crocodiles on Makuu and Kiburi's floats; Nick Watt as a bushbuck; Phil LaMarr as an unnamed male oryx; Cam Clarke as an egret, who is the leader of Ono's flock, a young hedgehog and a unnamed turtle; Jacob Guenther as Dogo's siblings; Kari Wahlgren as a four-striped grass mouse, a young aardvark and a young rhino; Dee Bradley Baker as the other vultures on Mzingo's committee and the galagos on Laini's group; Frank Welker as the baby baboon and Tamka's armada; Virginia Watson as the baby baboon's mother; Jessica DiCicco as a young hare; Khary Payton as the leader of the Bellow Fellows and a teenage jackal; Kevin Schon as a Bellow Fellow hippo; Ace Gibson as a Bellow Fellow hippo; Erica Luttrell as a female wagtail and the zebras on Muhimu's herd; Sam Lavigano as a little monkey; Jennifer Hale as the mothers of a little monkey and a serval; little monkey's mother; Tunisia Hardison as the young rhino's mother; ViviAnn Yee as a young serval kitten; Dana Davis as a female green emerald skink, who serves as Shupavu's third-in-command; and Alex Cartañá as a teenage jackal. Gabriel C. Brown voiced Nyeusi, a stealthy black western skink and Shupavu's spy, who is mute, but his hissing can be translated by Shupavu, although he was uncredited. C. C. H. Pounder voiced Kongwe during the mid-credits scene, while Amy Poehler and AJ McLean voiced Kinyonga and Kuchimba during the post-credits scene, all in uncredited cameos.

Christopher Jackson and Peyton Elizabeth Lee were meant to reprise their roles as Shujaa and Rani from The Lion Guard before their lines and scenes were reused for the film's sequel. Wreck-It-Ralph character Vanellope Von Schweetz was also meant to appear, who appears wearing a Pumbaa costume from a Broadway show, with Sarah Silverman reprising her voice role from the Wreck-It-Ralph franchise, but was also cut out from the theatrical release of the film. Several actors and actresses from The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa including Corey Burton, Grey DeLisle, W. Morgan Sheppard, Brian Cummings, Townsend Coleman, Brad Garrett, Marc Schiff, Bill Fagerbakke, and Steve Mackall were meant to reprise their voice roles as Speedy the Snail, Leslie Lambeau, Captain Bloodbeard, the vulture police, Boss Beaver renamed as "Majava", Boy Beaver renamed as "Haukkua", Bigfoot, Dr. Happy, and Happy Dog during pre-production of the film, but their scenes did not make the theatrical cut. Sarah Jessica Parker, who is the wife of Matthew Broderick, was originally going to voice Wema and Tunu before Crimson and Fiona Hart came in to re-dub Parker's lines. Dandy Claws was meant to be mentioned by Pumbaa and Timon taken from The Lion Guard episode "Timon and Pumbaa's Christmas", but then was taken out due to director Myers. Welker, Bennett, Burton, Tara Strong, Lisa Ortiz, Tress MacNeille, Valery Pappas, Tahj Dayton Mowry, Keith David, and Jim Cummings were meant to reprise their roles as King Leopard, Uncle Ernie, the Duke Meerkat, Toucan Dan, Claudia, Sharla, Tatiana, C. Quint, Jean Farrel, Nefu, Mr. Pig, and Uncle Boaris from the television series, but their scenes did not make the theatrical cut of the film. They however do appear only in the climax of the Outlands Cut.

During pre-production of the film, Ben Kingsley was meant to voice a new character named Namiri, with Caleb McLaughlin voicing the character as a cub. The character appears as a black leopard and a childhood friend of Simba and Nala. When the reign of Scar was over, he helped Simba to take his father's place as the rightful King of Pride Rock. McLaughlin was also known to portray young Simba on The Lion King stage version from 2012 to 2014. However, the character was then deleted because director Myers thought there were too many characters for the film's storytelling. Multiple characters from The Lion King comic book series including Ahadi, Pimbi and Kopa were meant to appear, but then were cut out. It was also announced that Buckshot and Cicci from the 1995 Italian television series Simba the King Lion were meant to appear as well, but were taken out then also.

Production

 * See also: Production of The Lion King Reborn and The Lion King Returns

"Since November 2016, I have become a huge fan of The Lion King and started to come up with a extended version of the original movie. I would use its sequel Simba's Pride and it's midquel Hakuna Matata for a point-of-view with Timon Berkowitz and Pumbaa Smith, not just having to storytell Simba. After a few months on figuring out, this film will soon be released onto Ideas Wikia published from YouTube for fans loving my favorite choice of well-known actors, including Tony Award winner Matthew Broderick, Black Reel Award winner Gabrielle Union, Golden Globe Award winner Angela Bassett, Laurence Olivier Award winner Nathan Lane, Daytime Emmy Award winner Ernie Sabella, and Drama League Award winner Jeremy Irons, as well as co-starring Eden Riegel, Max Charles, Joshua Rush, Diamond White, Nika Futterman, Jason Marsden, Andy Dick, Lacey Chabert, Rowan Atkinson and Khary Payton. Even though for a director, I'm also the narrator when you see this interesting. For fans liking the films and the Lion Guard, they will adore this upcoming ultimate film of the year: The Lion King Reborn."

- Christian Myers

It was originally planned to be released in summer of 2017, known as The Lion King: The Special Edition Cut. It is to be rated PG for mild rude humor, action and peril. Christan Myers, who would soon voiced Africalous, came on board to tie the films on Movie Maker. However, in April 2018, the film's title would then be changed to The Lion King: The King Has Returned with the Lion Guard confirmed. On May, the film's title was changed again to its title: The Lion King: Return of the King. A teaser trailer will be released soon. On June 14th, the title was once changed again to its official title The Lion King Reborn. On July 5th, Myers has stated that the film would be "darker" and more "serious" in tone than from previous The Lion King adaptations.

The film includes the film The Lion King, its sequel The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, its midquel The Lion King 1½: Hakuna Matata, as well as episodes of The Lion Guard from Season 1 and 2, including "Return of the Roar", "Never Judge A Hyena By Its Spots", "The Rise of Makuu", "Bunga the Wise", "Can't Wait to be Queen", "Eye of the Beholder", "The Kupatana Celebration", "Fuli's New Family", "The Search for Utamu", "Follow That Hippo!", "The Call of the Drongo", "Paintings and Predictions", "The Mbali Fields Migration", "Bunga and the King", "The Imaginary Okapi", "Too Many Termites", "The Trouble with Galagos", "Janja's New Crew", "Baboons!", "Beware the Zimwi", "Lions of the Outlands", "Never Roar Again", "The Lost Gorillas", "The Trail to Udugu", "Ono's Idol", "Beshte and the Hippo Lanes", "Ono the Tickbird", "Babysitter Bunga", "The Savannah Summit", "The Traveling Baboon Show", "Ono and the Egg", "The Rise of Scar", "Let Sleeping Crocs Lie", "Swept Away", "Rafiki's New Neighbors", "Rescue in the Outlands", "The Ukumbusho Tradition", "The Bite of Kenge", "The Morning Report", "The Golden Zebra", "The Little Guy", "Divide and Conquer", "The Scorpion's Sting", "The Widsom of Kongwe", "Undercover Kinyonga", and "The Underground Adventure". Director Myers confirmed that he will not include the episode "Timon and Pumbaa's Christmas".

This will be the first The Lion King film to be shot in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio, unlike the previous films and The Lion Guard that were produced in 16:9 (although their 2:35.1 aspect ratio variants can be found).

Critical reception
The Lion King Reborn was released to critical acclaim from audiences, critics and even fans, who liked the entire The Lion King franchise. On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a "Certified Fresh" rating of 84%, based on 583 reviews, with an average rating of 7.5 out of 10. On Metacritic, the film has a score of 91 out of 100, based on 81 critics, indicating "universal acclaim". IGN holds a score of 9.9/10, and IMDb holds a score of 9.3/10 based on 336,962 votes. Since July 4th on Independence Day, IMDb holds The Lion Guard episode "The Hyena Resistance" a rating of 9.8 out of 10 based on 9 votes.

Audience reception
Fans and critics praised the film for it's excellent animation, voice acting and while retaining the spirit of the franchise, it included newer elements. Audience reception measured by scientific polling methods was highly positive. Audiences randomly polled by CinemaScore on opening day gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale. Surveys from SurveyMonkey and comScore's PostTrak found that 89% of audience members graded the film positively, including a rare five-star rating.

Box office
W.I.P.

TvTropes page

 * Main article: The Lion King Reborn/Tropes

Release
The film is scheduled to be release in late 2018. It was originally going to be release in summer 2017.

Marketing
It is scheduled to be released on Digital HD, DVD and Blu-ray. On Disc 1 of the DVD, it features the film in widescreen format, a behind-the-scene documentary, footage of the voice actors, DVD Rom, a set-up menu, and a sneak peak for Disc 2. On Disc 2, it features the film in fullscreen format, music videos, sneak peaks, "Behind the Legend: Timon" with Peter Graves, "Who Wants to be King of the Jungle?" with Meredith Vieira, and a set-up menu. On both discs, it includes a Mystery Science Theater 3000-style commentary featuring Timon and Pumbaa and all of the "It's UnBungalievable" shorts are featured as hidden Easter eggs. It will also be released on VHS, dating as one the rarest video tapes to ever be made and to be found and it marked the first Hollywood produced film to be on that format as well as the first Disney release on it since Bambi II. However, the VHS release had even more demand (particularly from fans) than any tapes in History and this would lead into manufacturers producing VHS tapes again, but this time with more innovations such as them having better, enchanced resolutions for the HD remastered tapes.
 * Main article: Marketing of The Lion King Reborn and The Lion King Returns

An alternate version of the film named the Outlands Cut will be released with a subplot featuring Tatiana, Claudia, Quint, Nefu, Sharla and Mr. Pig while their lines and scripts were taken out. A short film named Timon & Pumbaa's Ultimate Virtual Safari Breakdown will be released, featuring Timon and Pumbaa taking Ma and Uncle Max on a virtual ride they have built.

Video game
A video game for The Lion King Reborn will be released after the film's release. The game will include a story mode, a playable mode, and will have most of the cast returning from the film with a few exceptions: Cam Clarke as Simba; Vanessa Marshall as Nala and Shupavu; Tara Strong as Kiara; Tress MacNeille as Shenzi and Ma; Jeff Bennett as Zazu and Uncle Max; Roger Craig Smith as Sumu and Njano; and Fred Tatasciore as Tamka's armada and Ned, replacing Matthew Broderick, Gabrielle Union, Kristin Chenoweth, Eden Riegel, Whoopi Goldberg, Julie Kavner, Rowan Atkinson, Jerry Stiller, Adam Driver, Rob Lowe, and Frank Welker, respectively.
 * See also: The Lion King Reborn (video game)

Soundtrack
The film has most of the songs all three films: "Digga Tunnah", "That's All I Need", "Circle of Life", "The Morning Report", "I Just Can't Wait to be King", "Be Prepared", "Hakuna Matata", "Can You Feel the Love Tonight", "He Lives in You", and "We Are One". It also includes most of the songs from The Lion Guard, including: "A Beautiful Day (Ni Siku Nzuri)", "Kion's Lament", "We're The Same (Sisi Ni Sawa)", "Duties of the King", "Jackal Style", "Utamu", "All Hail the Vultures", "Don't Make a Stink", "Bird of a Thousand Voices", "She's The Worst Hyena We Know", "Panic And Run", "A Trail to Hope", "Teke Ruka Teleza", "My Own Way", "Bunga the Wise", "Beware the Zimwi", "Outta The Way", "Life in the Pride Lands", "Find Your Roar", "Stand Up, Stand Out", "Lions Over All", "Kuishi ni Kucheka", "Bring Back A Legend", "May There Be Peace", "Hippo Lanes", "Running With The King", "I Do Have a Great Deal to Say", "Tickbirds and Rhinos", "Big Bad Kenge", "Fujo", "Gotta Look On The Bright Side", "Welcome To The Summit", "Hero Inside", "Fabulous Dhahabu", "We're The Smartest", "Give The Little Guy A Chance", "I Have a Plan", "Good King Simba", "Today Is My Way", and "Path of Honor". It was reported that the film would include songs from the Broadway version, which would soon includes songs "Chow Down", "Rafiki Mourns", "The Madness of King Scar", "Shadowland", and "Endless Night". It will also include the extended versions of "Call of the Guard", "Baboons!", and "Zuka Zama" that were taken during pre-production of The Lion Guard.
 * See also: The Lion King Reborn/Soundtrack

The films' scores were originally composed by Hans Zimmer, Nick Glennie-Smith and Don L. Harper, with The Lion Guard originally composed by Christopher Willis. The scores were arranged by Ludwig Göransson, the composer of Black Panther, and Nitin Sawhney, the composer of the 2019 Netflix film Mowgli. It was reported that Elton John had signed onto the project to rework his musical compositions from the original film before his retirement. On August 7th, Myers announced that Göransson and Sawhney would recompose several tracks from the 2018 film Avengers: Infinity War (originally composed by Alan Silvestri) for some of the film's saddest and action scenes, including "Even For You", "What More Could I Lose?", "Infinity War", and "End Credits". On August 13th, it was announced that Silvestri would re-compose the original scores by Harper, Zimmer, Glennie-Smith and Willis and is confirmed that the film will have several tracks from Avengers: Infinity War.

Sequel
On July 27th, a direct sequel and "part two" of the remaster of The Lion King titled The Lion King Returns (known as The Lion King Adventure Pt. 2: Returns outside of North America) was confirmed by director Myers, to which he will return to direct, Hahn will return to produce, Silvestri will return to compose the score, and much of the cast will reprise their roles from the previous film.
 * Main article: The Lion King Returns

The Lion King Returns will take place within the ending of The Lion King Reborn when Simba, Nala, Kiara, Timon, Pumbaa, Rafiki, Kongwe, Kinyonga, Kuchimba, Makini, Jasiri and the Lion Guard must figure out a way to defeat Scar's resurrected form and his army of Outlanders with advice from Simba's spiritual father Mufasa and a very strong gorilla named Shujaa, as well as Azaad and Rani, the leader of the Night Pride.

Broderick, Irons, Union, Riegel, Marsden, Futterman, Lane, Sabella, Payton, Dick, Chabert, Atkinson, Bender, Mitchell, Rush, White, Shaffer, Brown, Charles, Paulson, Jones, Slater, Kishino, Gasteyer, Common, Ellis, Chenoweth, Schon, DuPree, Richardson, Dorn, Blum, Klompus, Brooks, Clarke, Mason, Hamill, Lowe, Riley, Strange, Cartañá, Watt, Welker, Fraley, Pounder, Poehler, and McLean are all scheduled to reprise their roles as Simba, Scar, Nala, Kiara, Kovu, Zira, Timon, Pumbaa, Rafiki, Nuka, Vitani, Zazu, Makuu, Makini, Jasiri, Bunga, Fuli, Ono, Beshte, Kion, Tiifu, Zuri, Sarafina, Mufasa, Ushari, Janja, Reirei, Kiburi, Mzingo, Shupavu, Thurston, Ma Tembo, Basi, Bupu, Makucha, Madoa, Goigoi, Mwoga, Cheezi, Chungu, Jumla, Njano, Laini, Twiga, Zito, Ned, Jumbo Jumbo, Kongwe, Kinyonga, and Kuchimba while new additions includes Christopher Jackson as Shujaa, Behzad Dabu as Azaad, Seth Rogen as Mooser, Elric Atchison as Waza, and Peyton Elizabeth Lee as Rani.

Transcript

 * See also: The Lion King Reborn/Transcript

Novelization
A canon novel named The Lion King Reborn: Crucible will be released soon.
 * Main article: The Lion King Reborn: Crucible

Taglines

 * Two generations will collide. Only one will survive.
 * The King has returned.
 * Long live the King.
 * An entire universe, once and for all.
 * Let the challenge begin.
 * Where will you be, when it all ends?
 * Destiny arrives.
 * ACCEPT OR SURRENDER.
 * THE END IS NEAR.

Credits

 * Main article: The Lion King Reborn/Credits

Trivia

 * Main article: Trivia of The Lion King Reborn and The Lion King Returns

Rejected ideas

 * Main article: The Lion King Reborn/Rejected ideas

Gallery

 * Main article: The Lion King Reborn/Gallery

Polls
Do You Think The Lion King Reborn is a great idea? Yes No Do You Think The Lion King Reborn: The Outlands Cut is ANOTHER great idea? Yes No Are you interested in seeing The Lion King Reborn when it comes on this page? YES! I Am Very Excited! No. I'm Not That Interested. Who do you think is the best character in The Lion King Reborn? Simba Scar Kovu Nala Kiara Zira Pumbaa Timon Rafiki Fuli Jasiri Shenzi Nuka Vitani Zazu Makuu Banzai Tiifu Ed Rani Makini Bunga Ono Beshte Ma (Timon's mother) Uncle Max Sarabi Kion Africalous (the film's narrator) Pa (a.k.a. Fearless Buzz) Zuri Sarafina Mufasa Ushari Janja Reirei Kiburi Mzingo Shupavu Sumu