The Lion King Reborn

The Lion King Reborn is an upcoming 2019 American-South Korean animated epic, adventure, musical, and comedy-drama film released by Walt Disney Pictures, with under production by Walt Disney Animation Studios, Disney Television Animation and Mercury Filmworks, 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/prequel The Lion King 1½ and several episodes of its 2015 television sequel series The Lion Guard. It is the first feature film in the Disney Reborn Multiverse while featuring 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 songs taken from the Broadway version of The Lion King in animation. The Lion King Reborn also marks as the last film to be distributed by DisneyToon Studios after its defunct in June 2018, and it is scheduled to be released in February 24th, 2019 on YouTube in honor to celebrate the 1994 film's 25th anniversary.

The film was directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, produced by Don Hahn, executive produced by Karen Gilchrist, Sarah McArthur, Thomas Schumacher, Jon Favreau, Jeffery Silver, Jennifer Lee and John Lasseter, and score composed by Hans Zimmer. Most of the film's story plots are influenced by William Shakesphere's Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet, Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, and several scriptures from the Bible. Featuring an all-star ensemble voice cast, it features the voice talents of Matthew Broderick, Eden Riegel, Jason Marsden, Gabrielle Union, James Earl Jones, Nathan Lane, Nika Futterman, Ernie Sabella, Khary Payton, Andy Dick, Lacey Chabert, Rowan Atkinson, Alfre Woodard, Sarah Hyland, Madison Pettis, Joshua Rush, Diamond White, Jeremy Irons, Max Charles, and Dan Howell and Phil Lester. The film dedicates to the memories of actress Suzanne Pleshette and actor Robert Guillaume, the original voices of Zira and Rafiki, who both died in January 19th, 2008 and October 24, 2017 respectively, while also dedicating the memory of editor Mark Livolsi, who died on September 23, 2018 shortly before the film's release.

Filming began in January 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 since the box office record for Avengers: Infinity War. The film received universal praise for the film's screenwriting, humor, the cast (particularly Irons' role as Scar), visual effects, emotional dark weight of the story, Pleshette, Guillaume and Livolsi's dedications, musical scores by Zimmer, original musical songs by Elton John and Tim Rice, and action scenes, although the runtime and some newcomers for the voices of characters received some criticism. The Lion King Returns will be released with Hahn returning to produce, and much of the voice cast reprising their roles.

Synopsis
In The Lion King Reborn, unlike the original, it focuses on four storylines: a young lion named Simba, who is to succeed his father, Mufasa, as King of the Pride Lands when his evil younger brother Scar murders him in a wildebeest stampede; a subplot involving a meerkat and warthog duo named Timon and Pumbaa, who search a place as their dream home with no predators via the word "Hakuna Matata" ( a meaning to "No Worries" in Swahili ); Simba and Nala's daughter Kiara falls in love with Kovu, a male rogue lion from a banished pride that was once loyal to Scar; and Simba's second-born son Kion then forms his new Lion Guard with best friends Fuli the cheetah, Bunga the honey badger, Ono the egret and Beshte the hippopotamus in order to protect the Pride Lands from attacks led by Janja's clan of hyenas, Reirei's matriarch of jackals, Mzingo's flock of vultures and Makuu's float of crocodiles, and to defend the Circle of Life.

Plot
As a framing device, a wise baboon (with mandrill markings) named Rafiki, who is the lion king's shaman, starts to retell the story of an outcast meerkat named Timon before reminding the audience that they have never known the half of the story rather than the presentation of Simba, son of Mufasa.

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, who was the colony's greatest meerkat, nicknamed "Fearless Buzz" when he was awed for his bravery until he got ambushed by spotted hyenas Shenzi, Banzai and Ed. Though he is unconditionally supported by his mother Ma, who is also Pa's widow, 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 by the hyena trio. 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 Rafiki helps, then teaches Timon about "Hakuna Matata", meaning "No Worries" in Swahili, and advises him to look beyond what he sees. Timon takes the advice unknowingly and observes Pride Rock in the distance, mistaking it as a "big, pointy rock". Believing Pride Rock to be his paradise home, Timon ventures there, but then bumps into a common warthog named Pumbaa, who suffers from demophobia-triggered flatulence problems. The two quickly form a bond and Pumbaa accompanies Timon as his acquaintance. Their 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, Timon accidentally pulls Pumbaa's tail to explosively pass a massive fart, 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 to their new king.

Mufasa shows young Simba 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 covets the throne and plots to eliminate Mufasa and Simba so he may become king. He later tricks Simba and his best friend Nala — 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. Mufasa soon saves the cubs and Zazu, 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, especially him.

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. While looking for a dream home, Timon and Pumbaa accidentally encounter the stampede. They try to escape, but fall into a river below. Scar then convinces Simba that the tragedy was his own fault and advises him to flee the kingdom. He orders the hyenas to kill Simba, but he escapes.

During nighttime at Pride Rock, 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, Timon decides to give up, until the next morning, Pumbaa gasps to see a huge luxurious green jungle. The pair finally settle there with the philosophy of "Hakuna Matata".

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.

Meanwhile at the jungle, Timon and Pumbaa notice a flock of vultures in a nearby desert about to feed on their prey. The pair charge at the vultures, then notice Simba, who collapsed nearly dead from the escape of Pride Rock and they decide to rescue; they raise him under their philosophy. Scenes are shown of Simba's chaotic upbringing as a hyperactive and affectionate young cub, too much for Timon and Pumbaa's protection.

Years later, 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 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.

When Timon and Pumbaa search 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 argues with 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 away. He encounters Rafiki, who says that Mufasa's spirit lives on in Simba, and he 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 after 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 in the gorge 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, Rafiki, and the other lionesses fend off the hyenas, alongside Ma and Max, who are directed to construct a series of tunnels beneath the hyenas. When the tunnels are finished, Max knocks down the sticks, breaking the ground under the hyenas. However, the last few get stuck, prompting Timon willing to let out an unwilling sacrifice by diving underground and break them himself. The cave-in commences, and the hyenas are ejected through the tunnels. Immediately afterwards, 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 suddenly attacks his nephew, but Simba manages to toss him from the top of Pride Rock. Scar survives the fall, but then gets eaten by his former henchmen of hyenas, because Shenzi 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 Simba thanked Timon and Pumbaa for helping him, the duo knew it was time to show Timon's colony what life was like without predators. A couple of days later, Timon, Pumbaa and Simba take Ma, Max, and the entire colony to live in predator-free environment to complete his "Hakuna Matata"; and Timon is praised as their hero.

King Simba and Queen Nala's newborn cub is presented to the assembled animals by Rafiki as Mufasa proudly watches over the ceremony from the heavens above. Later that night, Rafiki paints an emblem of the cub 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, Rafiki discovers another cub that's living in rogues known as the "Outlands", 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 and Vitani, who are the oldest siblings of Zira, rush back to report the news of Kiara to their mother, who turns out to be 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 is the Chosen One to become the next king by fulfilling 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 to follow her not to run off away from Pride Rock. Kiara ignores her father's warning; she dismisses 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, Zira confronts Simba just as Kovu shivers with fear to see himself growling at Simba's leg. 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 and will understand someday. In the Outlands, Zira reminds Kovu that Simba killed Scar and exiled the lionesses, who respected him. Kovu explains that he does not think it is so bad to have Kiara as a friend, but Zira realizes she can use Kovu's friendship with Kiara to seek revenge on Simba.

Kion, the second-born cub of Simba and Nala, discovers that he has the ability to channel the Roar of the Elders, giving him fierce power just like his granduncle...Scar, who had the same power before him, but, who tragically misused it for evil and lost it forever after using the Roar against his fellow members. 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, Ono the egret, Beshte the hippopotamus, and Fuli the cheetah to populate it, Simba scolds him for not taking his new responsibilities seriously. When they save Kiara from a herd of stampeding gazelle and defeat a hyena clan led by Janja and Mzingo the vulture, 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, a teenage 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 an outskirt from Pride Rock known as "Flat Ridge Rock". When Makuu wins a Mashidano duel against Pua and becomes the local 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. 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 and Chungu. 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 scheming jackal pup named Dogo from Janja's clan, but they soon discover that he is in a whole family of jackals and the matriarch, Reirei, and her husband Goigoi, 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, 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. 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 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, 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 a dim-witted plains zebra named Thurston.

Under the suggestion of Simba, the Lion Guard leads a herd of zebras led by Muhimu and a herd of gazelles led by Swala 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 infant foal, who turns out to be a boy. When Simba and Bunga get trapped in a large sinkhole, the Lion Guard struggle to find a way to rescue them so that the Royal Family can go to Ma Tembo's elephant concert. 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, who has traveled to the Pride Lands to get away from Makucha the leopard, 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, alongside members Haya and Ogopa. However, Reirei and Goigoi have their sights on the aardwolves as well. The Lion Guard discovers from Laini and her group of cute galagos that a leopard has moved into their tree. They find out that the leopard named Badili has been driven out of his home by the mean leopard Mapigano, who has taken over his territory in Mirihi Forest in the Back Lands. The Lion Guard teaches Badili 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 and Tano 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, and Fuli is tasked with returning the baboon to its mother on Mapango Cliffs. Along the way, she has to avoid Mzingo's flock of vultures. Meanwhile, Kiara, Tiifu, and Zuri 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.

Rafiki tells a story to the Lion Guard and some young animals, including Mtoto, 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.

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 and two baby cubs Tunu and Wema. When he goes to help them out, he encounters the Outsider lions, Vitani, Nuka, Kovu, 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 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 and Hafifu, who have a message for Simba on behalf of their father Sokwe, King of the Theluji mountains. 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 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 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 father Basi 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 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. But with Beshte's quick-thinking combined with Fuli convincing the antelopes by being polite, the crocodiles end up defeated. Ono acts as a replacement for a white rhino named Kifaru as his tickbird Mwenzi 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 while she takes some time to relax. Before long, other animals ask Bunga to watch their kids as well, including Twiga's daughter Juhudi. While watching over the young animals, Bunga works to keep them safe from Reirei's pack, including Dogo and his sister Kijana. 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 Big Baboon, Mbeya the rhino, 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 headbutts 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 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 when a harrier hawk named Mpishi 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.

n the Pride Lands, the dry season has started, and the Lion Guard is busier than ever, much to the annoyance of Ushari, who they keep running over. During their patrol, Ono informs his friends that Janja's clan is attacking Ma Tembo's herd. The Lion Guard arrives at the scene, and, sure enough, Janja and his crew are attacking the elephants, with Mtoto as their main target. The Lion Guard is shocked that the hyenas would hunt elephants because of how dangerous it is.

The team drives the hyenas away, and Ma Tembo explains that the hyenas had been desperate because of the dry season. She also tells them that she is trying to find a new water source for her herd. Concerned at how quickly the start of the dry season has caused things to get out of hand, Kion tells Ono to stay with the herd and goes off to consult with his grandfather, Mufasa. Mufasa tells his grandson that the dry season is difficult because there is less food and water, which causes animals to make poor decisions. He also warns Kion to be careful to not lose control of the Roar.

Unbeknownst to Kion, his conversation is being overheard by a young female mandrill. After Kion's conversation is over, she introduces herself as Makini and tells him she's Rafiki's new apprentice. Makini gushes over what she had heard, but Kion tells her not to go talking too much about it. Unbeknownst to the pair, Ushari has heard everything and is contemplating how to use what he's learned against the Lion Guard for his benefit.

Suddenly, Ono flies onto the scene and tells Kion that Janja and his crew are at it again. This time, they're attacking the baboons who have started following Ma Tembo's herd. The Lion Guard arrives and have the elephants go into a rocky gorge. Kion then blasts the hyenas away with the Roar of the Elders, not to lose control briefly.

With the hyenas gone, the baboons reveal that they are following Ma Tembo to a new water source. Ma Tembo resumes her search for a new water source while a concerned Kion decides to talk to his father.

Meanwhile, Makini begins her training with Rafiki, but her impatience keeps her from making any progress. Seeing this, Rafiki tells her that the hardest part of listening is finding the quiet to hear, and sends her out to find her bakora staff.

Elsewhere, Kion talks to his father about his concerns, but Simba assures his son that life is full of responsibilities and that one must face them head-on.

Meanwhile, Janja and his crew have returned to the Outlands. Suddenly, they see Ushari and decide to eat him. Ushari asks Janja if he would like something meatier. Janja tells him that he would but can't because the Lion Guard keeps driving his clan off, to which Ushari reveals that that's because Kion's been getting advice from Mufasa. He adds that if the hyenas want to stop the Guard, they should find a way to talk to one of the Great Lions of the Past. Janja retorts that no Great Lion would help the hyenas, but Ushari reminds him that there was one Great Lion who always helped hyenas: Scar. He also reminds Janja that if Kion can talk to Mufasa, there must be a way for them to talk to Scar.

Back in the Pride Lands, Makini has found her bakora staff. Ushari appears and convinces her to get Rafiki to reveal if there's a way to talk to Scar. Ushari then summons his skink friends to spy on Makini and reveal what Rafiki tells her about Scar.

At the Lair of the Lion Guard, Makini asks Rafiki if there is a way to talk to Scar, and Rafiki explains that it depends on if the Great Lion is good or bad. The Great Lions of the Past are in the sky and their voices are in the wind, and they are the lions that appear when Kion uses the Roar. However, the Evil Lions of the Past like Scar appear in fire if they are unleashed by the Roar and the bakora staff. Fire skink Shupavu and her black stealthy spy Nyeusi go off to tell Ushari and Janja what they've learned.

In the meantime, Rafiki introduces the royal family to Makini, who goes with Kiara to help Ma Tembo find a new water source. Back in the Outlands, Ushari and Janja decide to use what they have learned to summon Scar. They decide to get Makini's bakora staff, since she's too inexperienced to be a threat, and to attack one of Kion's loved ones and bring them there, since Kion's Roars are at their most powerful when he's angry.

The hyenas kidnap Kiara and take Makini's bakora staff. While the rest of the Guard rescues her, Janja tricks, then mockingly taunts Kion by getting him to use the Roar out of anger, causing the volcano to erupt. When Janja throws Makini's staff into the volcano, Scar is successfully summoned, giving the Lion Guard's enemies their own spirit guide.

Back in the Pride Lands, Ma Tembo finally finds a new water source. All is fine in the Pride Lands, but the Lion Guard is unaware that a new foe is lurking within the volcano.


 * In a mid-credits scene, Janja's clan, under Scar's orders, end up trapping Jasiri, Tunu, and Wema in a steam vent which causes Madoa to get help from the Lion Guard. Meanwhile, Shupavu makes herself known to Beshte by leading him into an unknown trap at Rocky Plato.


 * In a post-credits scene, a Nile crocodile named Kiburi conspires against Makuu which leads to them getting into a Mashidano as Ushari, under Scar's orders, persuades Kiburi to have his followers attack Simba. Meanwhile, Rafiki and Makini get ready with the antics of three young animals: elephant Chama (who was formerly a part of Ma Tembo's herd); sable antelope Mzaha (who was formerly a part of Bupu's herd); and monkey Furaha (who was formerly a part of Tumbili's troop) to take down a threat of dry lightning near Rafiki's baobab tree. From a far distance, a young brown lioness watches the wildfire spreading all the way to Kilio Valley, then sneaks away.


 *  Scar will Return... 

Cast

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

The film features most of the voice cast reprising their roles from the original films and television series. Simba and his pride and friends from the previous films serve as this movie's main protagonists while the Lion Guard serve as the film's supporting protagonists.

Son of Mufasa and Sarabi, who grows up to become King of the Pride Lands. Simba later becomes Nala's mate, and Kiara and Kion's overprotective father. In early versions of the film, Simba loses his tail in an attempt to escape from the hyenas after Scar takes the throne. Rock singer Joseph Williams, Cam Clarke, who previously voiced Simba in The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa, and Rob Lowe, who previously voiced Simba in The Lion Guard, provided Simba's singing voice mixed with archive recordings of the late Jason Raize, who previously portrayed as Simba in the 1997 Broadway performance of The Lion King. Mark Henn, Ruben A. Aquino, Bob Baxter and Ian Harrowell respectively served as the supervising animators for young and adult Simba. The daughter of Simba and Nala, who grows up to become future Queen of the Pride Lands. In early developments, Kiara had light brown fur, green eyes, and a hair tuft. Jennifer Aniston, Neve Campbell, who previously voiced adult Kiara in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, and Sarah Jessica Parker, the wife of Matthew Broderick, were considered for the role of Kiara. Lianne Hughes served as the supervising animator for Kiara. Zira's son and Nuka and Vitani's younger brother, who was "hand-chosen" by Scar to become King of the Pride Lands instead of Simba. He was originally scripted as Scar's son, but after realizing the incest this would have created in his romance with Kiara (as that would make him Simba's cousin and therefore Kiara's first cousin once removed), it was scrapped and clarified that he had no relation to Scar. The Lion King II: Simba's Pride director Darrell Rooney later made a statement on Facebook about Kovu, describing him as an orphan, in which case, Zira would only be his adopted mother. According to Variety, Kovu, then named Nunka, was going to be voiced by Andy Dick, who ended up voicing Nuka. Andrew Collins served as the supervising animator for Kovu. Simba's best friend and later his mate as Queen of the Pride Lands. According to the stage musical producer and the film's executive producer Thomas Schumacher, Nala is turned out to be ten years old when she finds Simba in the jungle. Heather Headley, who previously portrayed Nala in the 1997 Broadway performance of The Lion King, and Sally Dworsky both provided Nala's singing voice. Aaron Blaise, Anthony de Rosa and Ian Harrowell respectively served as the supervising animators for young and adult Nala. Simba's father, King of the Pride Lands as the film begins. Since his death after being killed into a wildebeest stampede orchestrated by Scar, Mufasa lives on as a spirit that gives his grandson Kion advice on how to get through any tough plight. Samuel E. Wright, who previously portrayed Mufasa in the 1997 Broadway show, provided Mufasa's singing voice. Tony Fucile served as the supervising animator for Mufasa. The leader of the Outsiders, Scar's most loyal follower and the mother of Nuka, Vitani, and Kovu. Kevin Peaty served as the supervising animator for Zira. A meerkat and the son of Ma and his late Pa, who becomes Pumbaa's best friend and one of Simba's adoptive parents. Though somewhat selfish, arrogant, and withdrawn, Timon shows courageous loyalty towards his friends. When he and Pumbaa found utamu grubs, they met Bunga as a cub and adopted him as their nephew. A real meerkat at the Fellow Earthlings Wildlife Center near Palm Springs, California, was the inspiration for the movie version of Timon and was his namesake. When Pumbaa farts at the hyenas, fleeing them away, Timon poses like the late General George S. Patton as "Ride of the Valkyries" by Richard Wagner echoes in the film climax's score. Due to Lane's scheduling conflict with upcoming performances in two-part play Angels in America, Kevin Schon provided the rest of Timon's dialogues and singing roles during the film's further songs after the "Digga Tunnah / That's All I Need" reprise. Michael Surrey and Bob Baxter served as his supervising animators. A common warthog, who becomes Timon's "bestest best friend" and one of Simba's adoptive parents. Though slow-witted, Pumbaa is very empathetic and willing to trust and befriend anyone. He is also claustrophobic and passes gas in crowds. When he and Timon found utamu grubs, they met Bunga as a cub and adopted him as their nephew. One of Pumbaa’s defining characteristics was the way he rubbed his belly. The inspiration for the tick: animator Tony Bancroft’s then-pregnant wife, who would often rub her own protruding belly. Bancroft thought that the action would make Pumbaa more “human and relatable.” During the battle of Pride Rock, Pumbaa's war cry to Banzai, "THEY CALL ME MISTER PIG!", is a reference to the scene in the 1967 film In the Heat of the Night where Sidney Pointier says, "They call me MISTER TIBBS!". Pumbaa's original name was Harold. Tony Bancroft and Bob Baxter served as his supervising animators. A wise baboon (with mandrill markings), who teaches Timon Hakuna Matata, as well as giving him faith in himself to do what he dreams of doing. Rafiki also serves as shaman of the lion king and presents newborn cubs of the King and Queen to the animals of the Pride Lands. In early drafts of the film, Rafiki was a cheetah instead of a mandrill. Robert Guillaume was originally set to reprise his role as Rafiki from the previous The Lion King films as well as The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa. However, he passed away in October 24th, 2017, and his representative confirmed that he had not recorded any lines for the film since his retirement in 2014. Bob Baxter, James Baxter and Alexs Stadermann served as the supervising animators for Rafiki. A grumpy and irritable aardvark with short temper, who is Muhanga's mate. Terry Crews was originally set to re-dub Muhangus. A cheetah, who is the fastest member of the Lion Guard, the only female member, Kion's friend and second-in-command. She also dislikes baboons and getting wet. Christian Larocque served as her supervising animator. A spunky, but friendly teenage spotted hyena living in the Outlands, who is the leader of her clan and allies with Kion. Jasiri is also a reluctant member of the Lion Guard. Unlike Janja's clan, she and her clan respect the Circle of Life and mostly scavenge for food. The character and role mirror those of Asante, a female hyena, who befriends Kopa, Simba and Nala's son, in Friends for Life. Christian Larocque served as her supervising animator. The sassy and short-tempered female leader of her clan of hyenas. Tracy Nicole Chapman, who portrayed Shenzi in the 1997 Broadway performance, provided the character's singing voice in "Chow Down" and "The Madness of King Scar" after Goldberg blew her voice during "Be Prepared". Shenzi was animated by Bob Baxter, Alex Kupershmidt and David Burgess. Zira's son, Vitani and Kovu's older brother and the oldest male of Zira's family. Flip Kobler, a writer of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, has stated that Nuka is Scar's biological son. However, director Darrell Rooney has stated that Zira and Scar were not mates, which would make Nuka unrelated to Scar. Ian Harrowell served as the supervising animator for Nuka. Zira's daughter and Nuka and Kovu's sister. Crysta Macalush provided the cub's singing voice. Kevin Peaty served as the supervising animator for Vitani. A hornbill, who serves as the lion king's majordomo and advisor (or "Mufasa's little stooge", as Shenzi calls him). At one point during production, Zazu was going to have black wings with red tips. Jeff Bennett and Geoff Hoyle, who portrayed Zazu in the 1997 Broadway performance, provided the character's singing voice. Ellen Woodbury served as the supervising animator for Zazu. Mufasa's mate, Simba's mother, and the leader of the lioness hunting party. She is also the grandmother of Kiara and Kion. During early production, Sarabi and the other lionesses had single stripes on their foreheads, similar to that of Zira's. Before Woodard was set to voice Sarabi (as she did in the upcoming 2019 live-action remake), she was originally chosen to play Uru, Ahadi's mate as seen in The Lion King: Six New Adventures comic series. Angela Bassett was originally chosen to voice Sarabi after one of the directors saw her performance as Queen Romanda in Black Panther. In one storybook, Sarabi is even pictured with one. Russ Edmonds served as the supervising animator for Sarabi. An aggressive and hot-headed Mexican-accent hyena prone to complaining and acting on impulse. During early production, Banzai was a cape dog, while his father was killed by Sarafina. Stanley Wayne Mathis, who portrayed Banzai in the 1997 Broadway performance, provided the character's singing voice in "Chow Down" and "The Madness of King Scar" after Marin blew his voice during "Be Prepared". Banzai was animated by Bob Baxter, Alex Kupershmidt and David Burgess. A lioness cub friend of Kiara and a member of Simba's pride, who is somewhat more sensible than her constant companion Zuri. Christian Larocque served as her supervising animator. Nala's mother, who is shown briefly talking to Sarabi. In 1987, there was a musical titled Sarafina!, which was adapted into a film, starring Shenzi's voice actress Whoopi Goldberg in 1992. Kath Soucie was originally set to re-dub Sarafina. Russ Edmonds served as the supervising animator for Sarafina. A dim-witted hyena, who does not talk, only communicating through laughter. However, before Scar gets eaten by his former hyena henchmen, Ed actually says only one dialogue, which is "Yeah!". Kevin Cahoon, who portrayed Ed in the 1997 Broadway performance, provided the character's singing voice in "Chow Down" and "The Madness of King Scar" after Cummings blew his voice during "Be Prepared". Ed was animated by Bob Baxter, Alex Kupershmidt and David Burgess. A young mandrill, who becomes Rafiki's apprentice and is the reserve member of the Lion Guard. Christian Larocque served as her supervising animator. A honey badger, who is the bravest member of the Lion Guard. He is also Timon and Pumbaa's adoptive nephew and Kion's best friend. Bunga's fearless and hot-headed nature is grounded in reality, as real honey badgers are aggressive and fearless. Pierce Gagnon was originally set to re-dub baby Bunga's lines before archive recordings of Rush as baby Bunga from The Lion Guard episode "The Search for Utamu" were used. Christian Larocque served as his supervising animator. A hippopotamus, who is the strongest member of the Lion Guard and Kion's friend. Brown was not new to The Lion King, having played young Simba in the Broadway show's North American Tour. Christian Larocque served as his supervising animator. A cattle egret, who is the keenest of sight of the Lion Guard and Kion's friend. During the film's production, Shaffer hoped to one day enroll in film school and become a director or writer. Shaffer had osteogenesis imperfecta, a congenital condition that causes fragile bones, and short stature as he is 4' 8" tall. Christian Larocque served as his supervising animator. Timon's caring mother and Pa's widow. She is overly protective and attached to her son, often trying to get him accepted among the colony, but never succeeding. According to Timon, when asked by Kion how he knows about the Zimwi, he explains that his Ma's cousin's friend knows an ox, who told him that he ran into the Zimwi and got eaten by it. When Kion questions him on how the ox could tell the tale if he was eaten, Timon tells Kion that he'd need to ask the ox. Lianne Hughes served as Ma's supervising animator. Timon's paranoid, eccentric but deep down kind-hearted uncle. He initially doubts Timon's ability, but warms up to him at the film's climax. Lianne Hughes served as the supervising animator for Max. Mufasa's younger brother, Simba's uncle and Kiara and Kion's granduncle, who overtakes the throne and seeks to take the mantle of king. Scar was also once the leader of a Lion Guard, but the power went to his head and he began to believe that he should be king instead of Mufasa. He lost the Roar after he used it to destroy his fellow Lion Guard members when they refused to help him overthrow Mufasa. According to Rob Minkoff, Scar's name is a "really mean nickname" and that he believes that Mufasa was the one who gave Scar his scar when they were cubs. They never gave Scar an original name. According to some of the screenwriters, Scar being in the shadow of Pride Rock while Mufasa and Simba are in the sunlight is symbolic of Scar being evil. Scar was initially conceived as a rogue lion with no familial relation to either Mufasa or Simba. The connection between Scar and the latter two was changed because the story writers felt that having a threat inside the royal family would make the film more interesting. This explains why Scar looks very different from his brother and his nephew. In the original version of "Circle of Life", Scar was supposed to watch the presentation from a rock in hatred. He was originally had his own special territory, dubbed "Scar-land" and also a little bigger than Mufasa by the concepts. Before Scar gets back-kicked by Simba and eaten by his former hyena henchmen, he parodies a famous line that Claudius says in William Shakespeare's Hamlet, which is "Now, cracks a noble heart. Goodnight, sweet prince: And may the Kings of the Past sing thee to thy rest!". English actor David Oyelowo, who voiced Scar in The Lion Guard, stood in for Scar's last lines of the film, "Yes. I am...Scar.", due to a scheduling conflict with Irons. Oyelowo described Scar as a "malevolent, menacing" character. Jim Cummings and John Vickery, who previously portrayed as Scar in The Lion King Broadway performance, provided Scar's singing voice in songs like "Be Prepared" and "The Madness of King Scar" after Irons blew his voice. Tim Curry and Malcolm McDowell were both considered for the role of Scar. Andreas Deja served as the supervising animator for Scar. A lion cub, who is Simba and Nala's second-born son, Mufasa's grandson, Kiara's younger brother, the Prince of the Pride Lands, and the leader of the Lion Guard, as well as its fiercest member. Gilbert Gottfried was originally set to voice Kion as a young adult before Myers confirmed that Kion would only appear as a cub. Jacob Tremblay was originally set to voice Kion as an infant before Charles re-dubbed his lines, although later were taken out confirmed by Myers for the film's sequel. Minkoff described the character's role in the film as "a cameo...you get to be a little more vibrant; a little more irreverent; a little bit more colorful if you want it to be." Christian Larocque served as his supervising animator. An unintelligent spotted hyena with a slightly heavier build than the other hyenas, who is the other of Janja's right-hand henchmen. Mark Hamill was originally cast as Chungu. Christian Larocque served as his supervising animator. A handsome yet dimwitted plains zebra, who is the leader of the herd. Schon revealed that his character's name is Thurston, making him one of the few characters without a Swahili name. His name is also a tribute to Jim Backus, who played Thurston Howell in Gilligan's Island. One of the directors originally chose Brendan Fraser to play Thurston after seeing his performance as Grayson in Open Road Films' 2014 film The Nut Job. This also marks the first time that the character's name is revealed during the film's credits. Larocque also served as his supervising animator. An okapi, who traveled to the Pride Lands in order to get away from Makucha. Eddie Murphy was originally set to re-voice Ajabu in honor for his performance as Mushu from the Mulan franchise as well as Donkey from DreamWorks' Shrek franchise. Christian Larocque served as his supervising animator. A lioness cub friend of Kiara and a member of Simba's pride, who is somewhat vain and hates grubs and getting dirty. Christian Larocque served as her supervising animator. A cunning and ruthless spotted hyena, who is the leader of the clan. He hates Jasiri for respecting the Circle of Life and for being all nice and kind, unlike other hyenas. According to one news article, Janja was originally going to be the son of Shenzi, Banzai and Ed as seen in "Bitesized" by Kitchiki on DeviantArt. Christian Larocque served as his supervising animator. An excitable spotted hyena, who is one of Janja's right-hand henchmen. Christian Larocque served as his supervising animator. A calculative white-backed vulture, who is the leader of his parliament. He sometimes serves as Janja's spy and scout. Christian Larocque served as his supervising animator. An Egyptian cobra, who often conflicted with Bunga and would get disturbed whenever the Lion Guard are near him. Upon Scar's spirit being unleashed, Ushari becomes a second-in-command to him in Scar's plot to unite all the animals of the Outlands in a plot to get revenge on the Pride Lands. Christian Larocque served as his supervising animator. A clever and manipulative black-backed jackal, who is the matriarch of the pack. She is also the mother of Dogo and Kijana and the mate of Goigoi. Christian Larocque served as her supervising animator. A Masai giraffe, who is part of Twiga's herd. Rob Paulsen was originally set to voice Shingo. Christian Larocque served as his supervising animator. A greedy and dimwitted black-backed jackal, who is Reirei's mate. Albert Brooks was originally cast to voice Goigoi. Larocque also served as his supervising animator. A Nile crocodile, who is the leader of his float after he defeated Pua in a "mashindano" (a fight for dominance in which the winner becomes the new leader of the float and the loser has to leave). He and his float antagonized the Lion Guard and caused trouble before he works to become a better leader for his float and the Pride Lands after being invited at the Savannah Summit for the first time. Christian Larocque served as his supervising animator. The former leader of the local Nile crocodile float. He was challenged by Makuu to a mashindano, and upon being defeated by Makuu, he left the float. Ving Rhames was set to voice the character after one of the directors saw his performance as Cobra Bubbles from the Lilo & Stitch franchise and Luther Stickell from the Mission Impossible film series. Christian Larocque served as his supervising animator. A hippopotamus, who is Beshte's father and leader of his pod. Christian Larocque served as his supervising animator. A mountain gorilla and friend of Simba, who is the leader of the troop while being Majinuni and Hafifu's father and King of the Theluji Mountains. Christian Larocque served as his supervising animator. An African bush elephant with a broken right tusk, who is the leader of the herd and the daughter of the late Amanifu, an old friend of Simba's, who was also the former leader of the elephant herd. Queen Latifah was originally cast as Ma Tembo. Christian Larocque served as her supervising animator. A friendly cream-colored African leopard from Mirihi Forest in the Back Lands, who was driven out of his territory by his bully Mapigano. The Lion Guard trained him to have enough courage to drive off Mapigano. Christian Larocque served as his supervising animator. A mountain gorilla prince and son of King Sokwe, who is Hafifu's brother. He came to the Pride Lands to deliver a message to Simba. Christian Larocque served as his supervising animator. A mountain gorilla prince and son of King Sokwe, who is Majinuni's brother. He came to the Pride Lands to deliver a message to Simba. Christian Larocque served as his supervising animator. A fork-tailed drongo, who can imitate the voice of any animal. Christian Larocque served as his supervising animator. A yellow baboon, who is the leader of the Traveling Baboon Show. Christian Larocque served as his supervising animator. A spotted hyena, who is Jasiri's sister and is part of her clan. Christian Larocque served as her supervising animator. A cream-colored African leopard from the Back Lands, who tracked Ajabu to the Pride Lands since okapis are rare creatures. Christian Larocque served as his supervising animator. A stubborn sable antelope, who is the leader of the herd and values polite behavior. Christian Larocque served as his supervising animator. A legendary African hawk-eagle, who faked having invented the Hadithi Spin. Ono looks up to Hadithi as his personal hero as much how Mtoto likes Beshte. Hadithi was previously voiced by John O'Hurley in The Lion Guard. Christian Larocque served as his supervising animator. A foolish and clumsy white-backed vulture, who is a member of Mzingo's parliament. A poor-sighted white rhinoceros. A red-billed oxpecker, who is Kifaru's tickbird and best friend. An impatient and grouchy African bush elephant, who is part of Ma Tembo's herd. A young African bush elephant calf, who is part of Ma Tembo's herd. He also looks up to Beshte as his personal hero. While Coughlin came in for dialogues as Mtoto from The Lion Guard episode "Bunga the Wise", with Justin Felbinger voicing the character in later appearances, she re-dubbed his lines for this film. A plains zebra, who is the leader of the herd. Jennifer Lopez was originally set to voice Muhimu in both countries. A Thomson's gazelle, who is the leader of her herd. She is also a friend of Muhimu. Shakira was originally set to voice Swala in honor for her character Gazelle in the 2016 film Zootopia. A sly and stout but smart spotted hyena. Black also provided lead vocals in "A Beautiful Day (Ni Siku Nzuri)", "Find Your Roar", "Kuishi Ni Kucheka" and "Fujo". A grumpy and impatient aardwolf, who is the leader of the pack. A Masai giraffe, who is the leader of the herd. Cartañá also performed lead vocals in the songs "Trail To Hope" and "Our Kupatana Community". An African buffalo, who is the leader of her herd. Kiara once presided over their Royal Buffalo Wallow where the buffaloes attend to rush into mud. An old black rhinoceros, who is the leader of his crash. Cheech Marin's longtime friend Tommy Chong part of the duo Cheech & Chong was originally set to re-dub Mbeya. Parkins also served as a co-director of the film. A cheerful ostrich, who is the leader of her flock. An aardvark, who is Muhangus' wife. Estelle Harris, who voiced Timon's Ma in The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa, was originally set to voice Muhanga. An African bush elephant and Mtoto's mother, who is part of Ma Tembo's herd. A galago, who is the leader of her group in Ndefu Grove. Grey DeLisle was originally cast to voice Laini. An African toad. A sneaky fire skink, who is the leader of her group. She dislikes being close to Pride Rock. Kristin Chenoweth was originally set to voice Shupavu. A devious and sloping but smart spotted hyena. An olive baboon, who is the leader of his troop. Big Baboon was originally renamed as "Nyani". A yellow baboon, who is part of the Traveling Baboon Show. A yellow baboon, who is part of the Traveling Baboon Show. A hamerkop chick, who is the daughter of Kulinda. A black western stealthy skink, who is part of Shupavu's group. Although Nyeusi is mute, his hissing can be translated by Shupavu. James Arnold Taylor and Gabriel C. Brown were both considered to voice the character with written dialogues. A bright and bubbly aardwolf. A nervous and shy aardwolf. A sable antelope, who is part of Bupu's herd. A hamerkop, who leaves her egg in Ono's nest, while she builds a new nest that is safe from predators. She considers Ono to be part of her family, due to him taking good care of her baby. She later names her baby Ona, in honor of Ono. Allen wrote some of the film's synopsis. Mindy Kaling was originally set to voice Kulinda, but was then fired due to her "high-pitched" voice described by the film's directors. A young plains zebra foal, who is part of Thurston's herd. Kwato is also a best friend of Mtoto. A young plains zebra foal, who is Muhimu's son. A black-backed jackal pup, who is Reirei and Goigoi's son. He has blue eyes compared to the other pups, who have brown eyes. A young banded mongoose pup. Shauku is also a best friend of Mtoto. A black-backed jackal pup, who is Reirei and Goigoi's daughter and Dogo's sister. A young Masai giraffe calf, who is Twiga's daughter. A young olive baboon, who is part of Big Baboon's troop. Gumba is also a friend of Mtoto. A young ostrich chick, who is a friend of Mtoto. A cream-colored African leopard, who bullied Badili upon invading his territory in Mirihi Forest in the Back Lands. Seth Green and Bill Hader were both considered to voice the character for this film. An African harrier-hawk, who leaves her hunting grounds from an unknown land and travels to the Pride Lands looking for a rare meal. A baby spotted hyena cub and sister of Tunu, who is part of Jasiri's clan. Matthew Broderick's wife, Sarah Jessica Parker, was originally set to voice Wema. A baby spotted hyena cub and brother of Wema, who is part of Jasiri's clan. Matthew Broderick's wife, Sarah Jessica Parker, was originally set to voice Tunu. A blue tongued rainbow skink, who is part of Shupavu's group and serves as her second-in-command. Seth Rogen, who is currently set to voice Pumbaa in the upcoming live-action remake in 2019, was originally cast as Njano. A maniacal meerkat, who is an old friend of Timon. He loves to laugh and play around, as well as pulling practical jokes.
 * Matthew Broderick as Simba
 * Eden Riegel as Kiara
 * Jason Marsden as Kovu
 * Gabrielle Union as Nala
 * James Earl Jones as Mufasa
 * Nika Futterman as Zira
 * Nathan Lane as Timon
 * Ernie Sabella as Pumbaa
 * Khary Payton as:
 * Rafiki
 * Muhangus
 * Diamond White as Fuli
 * Maia Mitchell as Jasiri
 * Whoopi Goldberg as Shenzi
 * Andy Dick as Nuka
 * Lacey Chabert as Vitani
 * Rowan Atkinson as Zazu
 * Alfre Woodard as Sarabi
 * Cheech Marin as Banzai
 * Sarah Hyland as Tiifu
 * Sarah Paulson as Sarafina
 * Jim Cummings as:
 * Ed
 * A marmot that talks with Zazu
 * Rafiki Substitute
 * Landry Bender as Makini
 * Joshua Rush as Bunga
 * Dusan Brown as Beshte
 * Atticus Shaffer as Ono
 * Julie Kavner as Timon's Ma
 * Jerry Stiller as Uncle Max
 * Jeremy Irons as Scar
 * Max Charles as Kion
 * Kevin Schon as:
 * Chungu
 * Thurston / Punda Milia
 * Timon Substitute
 * Ron Funches as Ajabu
 * Madison Pettis as Zuri
 * Andrew Kishino as Janja
 * Vargus Mason as Cheezi
 * Jonny Rees as Mzingo
 * Christian Slater as Ushari
 * Ana Gasteyer as Reieri
 * Phil LaMarr as:
 * Shingo
 * Goigoi
 * Blair Underwood as Makuu
 * Gerald Rivers as Pua
 * Kevin Michael Richardson as Basi
 * John Rhys-Davies as Sokwe
 * Lynette DuPree as Ma Tembo
 * Jack McBrayer as Badili
 * Dan Howell as Majinuni
 * Phil Lester as Hafifu
 * C. J. Byrnes as Tamaa
 * Sinbad as Uroho
 * Maisie Klompus as Madoa
 * Steven Blum as Makucha
 * Michael Dorn as Bupu
 * Jeffrey Tambor as Hadithi
 * Jonathan Taylor Thomas as Young Simba. Evan Saucedo and Jason Weaver provided the cub's singing voice, while Connor Funk provided his growls, although Funk was uncredited.
 * Niketa Calame as Young Nala. Laura Williams provided the cub's singing voice.
 * Michelle Horn as Infant Kiara. Charity Sanoy provided her singing voice, while Ashley Edner provided her growls, although Edner was uncredited.
 * Ryan O'Donohue as Infant Kovu
 * Leslie Hedger as Pumbaa Substitute
 * Robert Guillaume as Rafiki Substitute
 * Madge Sinclair as Sarabi Substitute
 * Jeff Bennett as Zazu Substitute
 * Zoe Leader as Sarafina Substitute
 * Matt Weinberg as Young Simba Substitute
 * Rob Minkoff as Timon Substitute
 * Roger Allers as Simba and Pumbaa Substitutes
 * Moira Kelly as Nala Substitute
 * Suzanne Pleshette as Zira Substitute
 * Edward Hibbert as Zazu Substitute
 * Rob Lowe as Simba Substitute
 * Gary Anthony Williams as Mufasa Substitute
 * John O'Hurley as Hadithi Substitute
 * David Oyelowo as Scar Substitute
 * Cam Clarke as Mwoga
 * Maurice LaMarche as Kifaru
 * Rhys Darby as Mwenzi
 * Nick Watt as Zito
 * Natalie Coughlin as Mtoto
 * Justin Felbinger as Mtoto Substitute
 * Kari Wahlgren (US) / Emma Burton (UK) as Muhimu
 * Tunisia Hardison as Swala
 * Beau Black as Nne
 * Charlie Adler as Mjomba
 * Alex Cartañá as Twiga
 * Virginia Watson as Vuruga Vuruga
 * Howy Parkins as Mbeya
 * Russi Taylor as:
 * Mbuni
 * Muhanga
 * Mtoto's Mom
 * Meghan Strange as:
 * Laini
 * Chura
 * Shupavu
 * Dee Bradley Baker as:
 * Tano
 * Big Baboon
 * Mwevi
 * Mwizi
 * Ona
 * Nyeusi
 * Marieve Herington as Ogopa
 * Ogie Banks as Haya
 * Erica Luttrell as Boboka
 * Elise Allen as Kulinda
 * Lyons Luke Mathias as:
 * Kwato
 * Hamu
 * Jacob Guenther as:
 * Dogo
 * Shauku
 * Amber Hood as Kijana
 * Ivy Bishop as Juhudi
 * Jacquez Swanigan as Gumba
 * McKenna Grace as Kambuni
 * Jorge Diaz as Mapigano
 * Carla Hall as Mpishi
 * Fiona Hart as Wema
 * Crimson Hart as Tunu
 * Ford Riley as:
 * Njano
 * Big Baboon Substitute
 * S. Scott Bullock as Fred
 * Jason Rudofsky as Flinchy

The Outsiders are a pride of lions that live in the Outlands. They originally lived in the Pride Lands with Zira and her children during the reign of Scar, who picked Kovu to be his heir. Sometime after this, Simba returned to the Pride Lands and battled Scar and defeated him, before banishing the lionesses that were only loyal to Scar to the Outlands. It has been confirmed that Timon's Pa will make his first appearance since his look in a deleted concept from The Lion King 1½.

Additionally, Common, Jacob Bertrand, Cade Sutton and Mekai Curtis make uncredited roles as Kiburi, Chama, Mzaha, and Furaha in the film's mid and post-credits scenes. Tress MacNeille was set to reprise her voice role as Tatiana from The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa, but her scenes did not make the theatrical cut of the film. In order to tradition, Jock from the Lady and the Tramp franchise makes a non-speaking cameo near the hyena henchmen when Scar lies they think he's king.

Toucan Dan, Pimon, Tumbaa, Ned the Elephant, Uncle Ernie, Tatiana, Baampu, Monti, Uncle Boaris, [https://ideas.wikia.com/wiki/Cast_and_crew_of_The_Lion_King_Reborn_and_The_Lion_King_Returns#Pumbaa_Jr. Pumbaa Jr.], Jumbo Jumbo, and Kopa, who is Simba and Nala's son as seen in The Lion King: Six New Adventures, were all in original concepts, but were then cut out from the movie's original screenplay.

Locations
To be continued
 * Pride Lands
 * Pride Rock
 * Pit of Shame
 * Tree of Life
 * Mount Kilimanjaro
 * Waterhole
 * Elephant Graveyard
 * Hakuna Matata
 * Great River
 * Gorge
 * Desert
 * Outlands
 * Lair of the Lion Guard
 * Janja's den
 * Hakuna Matata Falls
 * Back Lands
 * Mapgano Cliffs

Production

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

"Since June 1994, our original film was a huge success as we thought like, "If we're gonna do another movie, we gotta get ready now," and we started to come up with a extended version of TLK. It would also include its sequel Simba's Pride and it's midquel Hakuna Matata for a point-of-view with Timon and Pumbaa, not just having to storytell Simba. After a few months on figuring out, this film will soon be released onto 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 Alfre Woodard, Laurence Olivier Award winner Nathan Lane, Daytime Emmy Award winner Ernie Sabella, and Drama League Award winner Jeremy Irons, as well as co-starring James Earl Jones, Eden Riegel, Max Charles, Joshua Rush, Diamond White, Nika Futterman, Jason Marsden, Andy Dick, Lacey Chabert, Rowan Atkinson and Khary Payton. For fans liking the films and the Lion Guard, they will adore this upcoming ultimate film of the year: The Lion King Reborn."

- Rob Minkoff

It was originally planned to be released in summer of 2017, known as The Lion King: The Special Edition Cut. Christan Myers, who originally thought up the idea of the film, came on board to tie the original films and television series on Movie Maker and to direct The Lion King Reborn. 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. 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, 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", and "Rescue in the Outlands". For Fred's scenes during Timon's living in the meerkat colony, archive footage of the The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa episodes "Once Upon a Timon" and "Tanzania Zany" were used to transparent out the background with only using Fred's appearance.

On September 3rd, the first short sneak peak was released. On September 9th, the second trailer was delayed as confirmed by Myers and that the film would premiere on November 2nd, the time where similar Disney film The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is set to be in IMAX theaters. However, it was pushed back to be released on November 21st due to some production coming further ahead. But then, on October 9th, it was pushed back again to be released on December 19th. However, two days later, it was confirmed to be released in 2019.

The film is most likely based on Tailikuu1's recreation of The Lion King on Kingdom Hearts Forums Fanfiction as a novelization. This will also be the first The Lion King film to be shot in the 1.43:1 aspect ratio.

On September 19th, six new posters were released featuring the film's main characters. The posters' backgrounds are based on the Infinity Stones from Marvel Comics. On the next day, Myers has confirmed that there was a delay of supporting characters from The Lion Guard, to which they are confirmed to be in the film's sequel and had their scenes taken out. On October 10th, Myers announced that an animation trailer involving Simba, Nala, Kiara, Kion, Fuli, Bunga, Ono, Beshte, Jasiri, Makini, Timon, Pumbaa, Rafiki, Zazu, Mufasa, Janja, Cheezi, Chungu and Scar will be released on October 12th and that the second sneak peak will be released next week. But then the next day, Myers has confirmed that the film will be released in 2019 due to his upcoming projects of homework in his SPASH years while the two trailers will be released soon.

Production companies Pixar Animation Studios and Disney Junior, even Myers, Emman V. Cortez, Donaldo Carreiro, and Christopher Ruiz were some of the film's special thanks during pre-production.

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 87%, based on 602 reviews, with an average rating of 8 out of 10 and a consensus, "The Lion King Reborn shows that we can retell one of our favorite cinematic stories if done properly, even when we had the heart, pride and love with our memories to share with our friends, family and even our children for future generations in the Circle of Life." On Metacritic, the film has a score of 83 out of 100, based on 99 critics, indicating "universal acclaim". IGN holds a score of 9.9/10, and IMDb holds a score of 8.6/10 based on 337,029 votes.

Audience reception
Fans and critics praised the film for it's excellent animation, voice acting (mostly Jeremy Irons' role as Scar) and while retaining the spirit of the franchise, it included newer elements such as restoring deleted scenes that had almost got in the cut. 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 87% of audience members graded the film positively, including a rare five-star rating.

Difference argument between The Lion King Reborn and Finding Marlin
When Christian Myers began to take several thoughts from FreezingTNT's Finding Marlin, the two got into a little argument with their ideas typed in the same way, including how their pages are supposed to be famous. After TNT had a talk with Myers and Christopher Haye, Myers thought some of his "problems" to solve and promised not to sadden TNT again.

User reviews
Any user can write their reviews!

Box office
W.I.P.

Accolades
W.I.P.

TvTropes page

 * Main article: The Lion King Reborn/Tropes

Release
The Lion King Reborn was originally going to be released in August 2017. One year later, Myers confirmed that the film's production would be moved up and was set to be released in February 24th, 2019.

Marketing
In May 2018, Matthew Broderick and his philanthropic organization Random Act Funding partnered with Omaze to initiate a contest to benefit the organization. A randomly chosen winner from those that donated would receive an Lion King set visit. A life-sized statue of Scar, created by Legacy Effects, was on display at D23 Expo 2018, alongside statues of "Army of Scar": Janja, Reirei, Ushari, and Mzingo. Additionally, Hahn, Minkoff, Broderick, Irons, Dick, Chabert, Bender, Mitchell, Rush, Sabella, Atkinson, Lane, Woodard, Marsden, Payton, Jones, and Riegel appeared at D23 Expo 2018 to present a clip highlighting the 80 years of Disney films, along with footage from The Lion King Reborn. The footage, which was screened exclusively for the panel, received strong audience reaction, with fans "literally on their feet and jumping as the footage played". Julia Alexander of Polygon commented, "to say that there was quite a bit happening in the trailer would be one heck of an understatement." She was excited that the film would deliver on the character interactions in one film and that The Lion King Reborn "finally feels like Disney has made the movie it always wanted to—and the one we've always wanted to see. For nearly ten years we dreamt of this reality and to see it play across a massive screen... it was impossible to not feel emotional." CinemaBlend's Eric Eisenberg said the footage left him "literally shaking", with the film looking "like it could be one of the most epic blockbusters ever created", concluding "the hype [for the film] most definitely feels very, very real". Haleigh Foutch for Collider said, "It looks dark and dramatic, and utterly epic. It's clear Disney is trying to do something different here... to pay off a decade's worth of narrative and world-building. While it's impossible to tell from two minutes work of footage, it certainly looks like that gamble paid off." The D23 footage was also shown at the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con International.
 * Main article: Marketing of The Lion King Reborn and The Lion King Returns

Home Media
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, the THX Optimizer, 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, the film's gag reel, a set-up menu, and the THX Optimizer. 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, enchanted resolutions for the HD remastered tapes.

Timon & Pumbaa's Ultimate Virtual Safari Breakdown
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 with archive recordings taken from The Lion King Reborn, while they retell them the story of the film.
 * See also: Timon & Pumbaa's Ultimate Virtual Safari Breakdown

It features Lane, Sabella, Kavner and Stiller reprising their voice roles from this film, while archive recordings of most actors and actresses from The Lion King Reborn are included.

Video games
Angry Birds The Lion King is a puzzle video game, a crossover between the The Lion King franchise, and the Angry Birds series of video games and movies (cutscene only), launched on July 18, 2019, along the premiere of "The Lion King (2019)", first for Windows, iOS, and Android devices. The game is the twenty-four Angry Birds game in the series. The characters are copyrighted from Disney's trilogy, this film, its sequel The Lion King Returns, and Disney Junior's Lion King spin-off series The Lion Guard. Disney and Rovio announced that Angry Birds The Lion King will be heading for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, and Nintendo 3DS in conjunction with Warner Bros. Interactive. The game also features a special character from every other Disney franchise.
 * See also: Angry Birds The Lion King, LEGO The Lion King, and The Lion King: Fight for the Pride Lands

LEGO The Lion King is a LEGO-themed video game based on Disney's animated film "The Lion King", "The Lion King Reborn", and "The Lion King Returns" The game closely follows the plot of The Lion King Trilogy and The Lion Guard, but with some modifications so that it would be more child-friendly, have some extra content and adapt to the two-player gameplay specific to the LEGO formula.

A fighting game developed by Arc System Works of BlazBlue and Guilty Gear fame and published with Square-Enix, The Lion King: Fight for the Pride Lands will be released after the film's release. The game will include a story mode, an arcade mode, a training mode along wih other things common in fighting games as well as an extras mode (including a cinema mode) and will have most of the cast returning from the film with a few exceptions like Cam Clarke as Simba; Vanessa Marshall as Nala; Tress MacNeille as Shenzi and Ma; and Richard Epcar with Jeff Bennett as Uncle Max and Zazu, replacing Matthew Broderick, Gabrielle Union, Whoopi Goldberg, Julie Kavner, Jerry Stiller, and Rowan Atkinson respectively. In addition, for all of the releases of the game, the Japanese version of Circle of Life (which is the opening theme of the game as well as the main menu theme) will be performed by JAM Project, Flow, Momoiro Clover Z, AK848, Akira Kamiya, CODA, Hiroaki "Tommy" Tominaga, Jin Hashimoto and Koichi Yamadera, as the cover of the song is one of the most ambitious musical Projects in Japanese Music history.

Attraction
The Lion King: The 5D Extreme Attraction is an upcoming dark ride at Disneyland Park. Footage of the simulator ride as seen from an audience's point-of-view will be included in the Blu-Ray and DVD release of The Lion King Reborn in cinema mode.
 * See also: The Lion King: The 5D Extreme Attraction

Soundtrack
The film has most of the songs from all three films including "Digga Tunnah", "That's All I Need (Meerkat Rhapsody)", "Circle of Life", "I Just Can't Wait to be King", "Be Prepared", "Hakuna Matata", "Can You Feel the Love Tonight", "He Lives in You", "We Are One", and "My Lullaby". It also includes most of the songs from The Lion Guard like "A Beautiful Day (Ni Siku Nzuri)", "Kion's Lament", "We're The Same (Sisi Ni Sawa)", "Duties of the King", "Zuka Zama", "Jackal Style", "Utamu", "Our Kupatana Community", "All Hail the Vultures", "Please Don't Make a Stink", "Bird of a Thousand Voices", "Baboons!", "Panic and Run", "Trail To Hope", "We'll Make You A Meal", "Teke Ruka Teleza", "My Own Way", "The Traveling Baboon Show", "Bunga the Wise", "Beware of the Zimwi", "Outta The Way", "Life in the Pride Lands", "Kuishi Ni Kucheka", "Find Your Roar", "Stand Up, Stand Out", "Lions Over All", "Let's Bring Back A Legend", "Makin' Hippo Lanes", "Running With The King", "Tickbirds and Rhinos", "Fujo", "Welcome To The Summit", "Hero Inside", "Hadithi the Hero", "Today Is My Way", and "The Path of Honor". It was reported that the film would include five songs from the Broadway version, which are "Chow Down", "Endless Night", "The Morning Report", "The Madness of King Scar" and "Shadowland". It also features the original The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly theme composed by Ennio Morricone back in 1967, the song "Sunrise, Sunset" from the original soundtrack of Fiddler on the Roof, the Peter Gunn opening theme, Aram Khachaturian's "Sabre Dance", and Jacques Offenbach's "Cancan". Hans Zimmer was confirmed to compose the film's score as he did from the 1994 animated movie and the 2019 remake. Don L. Harper, Nick Glennie-Smith and Christopher Willis, who all composed The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, The Lion King 1½ and The Lion Guard, served as Zimmer's music supervisors.
 * See also: The Lion King Reborn/Soundtrack

The score during the climax of the film's end credits, it is a mixture of "Elephant Graveyard", "This Is My Home", "Under The Stars", "Stampede", and "The Rightful King" all taken from the CD release of Walt Disney Records the Legacy Collection: The Lion King.

Sequel
On July 27th, the film was followed with a direct sequel and "part two" of the remaster of The Lion King titled The Lion King Returns was confirmed by Myers; it features Rob LaDuca, Darrell Rooney, Howy Parkins and Tom Derosier returning to direct, Hahn returning to produce, Glennie-Smith and Willis returning to compose the score, and much of the voice cast reprising their voice roles from the previous film. Broderick, Riegel, Marsden, Union, Futterman, Sabella, Lane, Payton, White, Mitchell, Dick, Chabert, Bender, Rush, Brown, Shaffer, Charles, Underwood, Pettis, Sinbad, Byrnes, Slater, Kishino, DuPree, Strange, Blum, Dorn, Rivers, Klompus, Gasteyer, Rees, Mason, Schon, LaMarr, Parkins, Clarke, Common, Bertrand, Sutton and Curtis are all scheduled to reprise their roles as Simba, Kiara, Kovu, Nala, Zira, Timon, Pumbaa, Rafiki, Fuli, Jasiri, Nuka, Vitani, Makini, Bunga, Beshte, Ono, Kion, Makuu, Zuri, Uroho, Tamaa, Ushari, Janja, Ma Tembo, Laini and Shupavu, Makucha, Bupu, Pua, Madoa, Reirei, Mzingo, Cheezi, Chungu and Thurston, Goigoi, Mbeya, Mwoga, Kiburi, Chama, Mzaha and Furaha, while they are joined by a group of new additions, including Nolan North as Tamka and Nyuni, Renée Elise Goldsberry as Dhahabu, Justin Hires as Hodari, Michael Luwoye as Askari, Christopher Jackson as Fikiri and Shujaa, Heather Headley as Kitendo, Peyton Elizabeth Lee as Rani, Behzad Dabu as Azaad, Kimiko Glenn as Chuluun, J. Elaine Marcos as Yuki, and Ace Gibson as Tumbili and Johari. Marieve Herington and Jorge Diaz don't return as Ogopa and Mapigano, but voice two new characters named Zigo and Nduli, while Gary Anthony Williams, Jeff Bennett, Bailey Gambertoglio, David Oyelowo, and Justin Felbinger replace James Earl Jones, Rowan Atkinson, Sarah Hyland, Jeremy Irons, and Natalie Coughlin as Mufasa, Zazu, Tiifu, Scar, and Mtoto respectively. Neve Campbell also reprises her voice role as adult Kiara from the 1998 sequel.
 * Main article: The Lion King Returns

On October 2nd, Myers has confirmed that he had a good reason for not using the ending scene from The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, since the cub present in the ending has been retconned to Kion.

Rating
The Lion King Reborn was originally going to be rated G by the MPAA, and it would have been the first family-friendly title with a G rating in a long time. However, the film was later re-rated PG due to a serious yet deeper tone and mild crude humor, including Pumbaa and Bunga's flatulence problems in the plot.

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

Gag Reel

 * Main article: Gag reels of The Lion King Reborn and The Lion King Returns

Videos

 * Main article: The Lion King Reborn/Clips

Tests
In January 2018, Myers promoted a video test of his original Lion King remake with adult Kiara if she was trying to be taught by Timon and Pumbaa with Ma and Uncle Max, if the two were involved in Simba's Pride. The film's title was originally known as The Lion King: The Special Edition Cut.

Trivia

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

Transcript

 * See also: The Lion King Reborn/Transcript

Credits

 * Main article: The Lion King Reborn/Credits

Rejected ideas

 * Main article: Rejected ideas of The Lion King Reborn and The Lion King Returns

Gallery

 * Main article: The Lion King Reborn/Gallery

Polls
Do You Think The Lion King Reborn is a 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. What did you think of the first sneak peak of The Lion King Reborn? It was amazing! It was good! It was okay. It wasn't that good. It was awful. What did you think of the film's test clip with Timon and Pumbaa searching for Kiara with Ma and Uncle Max added in (if they were involved in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride)? It was amazing! It was good! It was okay. It wasn't that good. It was awful. If you have heard of these popular songs before, which one would you suggest to be the best from the climax of "The Lion King Reborn" or the film's soundtrack? "Digga Tunnah" "That's All I Need (Meerkat Rhapsody)" "Circle of Life" "The Morning Report" "I Just Can't Wait to be King" "Chow Down" "Be Prepared" "Rafiki Huomboleza (Friend Mourns)" "Hakuna Matata" "The Madness of King Scar" "Shadowland" "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" "Sunrise, Sunset" "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" "Endless Night" "Busa" "He Lives in You" "We Are One" "My Lullaby" "A Beautiful Day (Ni Siku Nzuri)" "Zuka Zama" "Tonight, We Strike" "Kion's Lament" "We're the Same (Sisi ni Sawa)" "Don't Make a Stink" "Bunga the Wise" "Duties of the King" "Outta the Way" "Our Kupatana Community" "Jackal Style" "My Own Way" "Utamu" "All Hail the Vultures" "Hero Inside" "Bird of a Thousand Voices" "Panic and Run" "Trail to Hope" "Life in the Pride Lands" "We'll Make You a Meal" "Find Your Roar" "Baboons!" "Beware of the Zimwi" "Lions Over All" "Stand Up, Stand Out" "Kuishi Ni Kucheka" "Running with the King" "Hadithi the Hero" "Makin' Hippo Lanes" "Tickbirds and Rhinos" "Teke Ruka Teleza" "Welcome to the Summit (a.k.a. Everyone is Welcome)" "The Traveling Baboon Show" "A Real Meal" "Fujo" "The Path of Honor" "Bring Back a Legend" "Today is my Day" "Make Way for Bunga the Wise" "Chungu's Lament" "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" "Kube" "Lea Halalela (Holy Land)" "It's Time" "One by One" "Warthog Rhapsody" "Lala" "Noyana (Traditional)" "Digga Tunnah Dance" "Timon's Traveling Theme" "It Is Time" "Here Comes the Lion Guard" "Call of the Guard" "Alone Together (a.k.a. Timon and Pumbaa)" "Stand By Me" "Yummy Yummy Yummy" "Jungle Boogie" "Ride of the Valkyries" "Grazing in the Grass" What do you think what will happen after you see "The Lion King Reborn"? Will you be crowded? (1/5) Will you be glad? (2/5) Will you be anxious? (3/5) Will you be saddened? (4/5) Will you be raged? (5/5)

Hashtags

 * thelionkinghasreturned
 * thelionkingreborn