Epilogue: An Important Coronation

Writer
 Season
 Episode
 Air date
 Next

―Makini**[src]** | ”

**"Epilogue: An Important Coronation"** (also titled **"Battle for the Pride Lands – The Revelation"**) is the eighth episode of Season 3 of *The Lion King: Revisited*. It also serves as the sequel to "Battle for the Pride Lands".

## Synopsis

Kion and his friends return to the Tree of Life where Kion marries Queen Rani, and is crowned King of the Tree of Life with his family and friends attending and unionized. Meanwhile, Simba and his remaining allies form an unlikely alliance to counter a threat in one last stand.

*Epilogue: An Important Coronation* stars the leading cast of Nathan Lane (*"The Birdcage"*) as Timon, Ernie Sabella (*"The Lion King"*) as Pumbaa, Matthew Broderick (*"Ferris Bueller's Day Off"*) as Simba, Eden Riegel (*"All My Children"*) as Kiara, Gabrielle Union (*"Bring It On"*) as Nala, Rob Lowe (*"The Outsiders"*) as Kopa, Jeremy Irons (*"Justice League"*) as Scar, and James Earl Jones (*"Star Wars"*) as Mufasa.

## Plot summary

No longer the Lion Guard, Kion and his friends return to the Tree of Life as its protectors, becoming members of the Night Pride. Kion marries Rani and becomes the king of the Tree of Life. Unbeknownst to them, the Roar of the Elders awakens Scar's spirit from his slumber.

Vitani masters the Roar with help from Askari; renews a peace treaty with Reirei, Kiburi, and Madoa; and confesses her love to Imara. After saving some antelope from a wildfire, Vitani and her teammates meet Simba and Nala's rogue son, Kopa. He unveils his arrival to reclaim the throne of Pride Rock, but Vitani refuses, as she is busy trying to defend the Circle of Life. Disappointed, Kopa visits the Outlands, just as he is confronted by the resurrected Ushari. Having teamed up with Scar, Ushari, and Shupavu, Makucha steps forward as the new king, allowing Mama Binturong, Ora, and Chuluun into the Pride Lands. With the Lion Guard disbanded, Scar performs the Roar, burning up the green trees and killing half of the animals.

Two years later, Thurston escapes from an avalanche, discovering past paintings containing the secret to defeating great evil. Reaching Mizimu Grove, Thurston and Pinguino ask Simba to help them reverse Scar's actions. Simba, Timon, Ono, and Nala visit the Chamber of the Night Pride. Nala notes that Kion's Lion Guard found their chamber's cave that contained what they needed to defeat Scar before. Nala and Ono travel to Hakuna Matata, where they recruit an overweight and despondent Pumbaa, who became the leader of Sharla's warthog sounder. In Chakula Plains, Kiara recruits Kopa, who became a brutal hunter to avenge Vitani.

Timon, Simba, Nala, and Thurston witness the famine during Scar's basal reign. However, Timon suffers an anxiety attack due to his fear of heights and hyenas. While the test of worthiness goes awry, Janna encourages Ono and Pumbaa about her honor with Askari's vision contained in Mufasa's return in fullness. Before leaving with Ono, Pumbaa recovers the Bakora Staff that formerly belonged to the Tree of Life's Royal Mjuzi. Pinpointing paintings of Askari, Pinguino and Jasiri realize that his Lion Guard was the original secret to prove their worthiness. Pinguino returns to the Pride Lands, but Jasiri is incapacitated by Scar to send his hordes to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Kopa and Kiara travel to the Elephant Graveyard, where they find Vitani's Lion Guard. Makucha sets a trap, luring a large herd of wildebeests into a stampede that tramples the Lion Guard. Kiara sacrifices herself, allowing Vitani, her teammates, and Kopa to safely retreat.

Reuniting at Pride Rock, Simba's team mourn Kiara's death, but Mufasa approaches, reminding Simba that they must not let said heavy causalities die in vain and resurrects Kiara. Kopa, Imara, Zazu, Tazama, Shabaha, and Kasi stay behind with Kiara, leaving Simba and his group to rescue Jasiri. Having the most resistance to the Great Kings of the Past, Mufasa roars, reversing Scar's disintegrations. Meanwhile, tired of being taken for granted, Chuluun refuses Scar's demands, and abandons him. Jasiri and Fuli reestablish their trust with Chuluun, while Scar overpowers Mufasa, Simba, Pumbaa, and a Bakora Staff-wielding Timon, draining their power to rejuvenate himself. Seven angelic meerkats blow their shofars, alerting Azaad to arrive with Rafiki's troop of Royal Mjuzis, the Night Pride, the Lion Guard, the Pride Lands' herds, the Outlanders, Simba's pride of lions, and Timon's colony of meerkats to fight the Final Army of Scar. Rani, Surak, Baliyo, and Nirmala also arrive, but Scar overpowers Rani and seizes the Bakora Staff, intending to summon the Evil Lions of the Past to defeat Simba's army. Mufasa distracts Scar for Simba to vanquish his spirit, killing him before Mufasa dies from their injuries.

Following Mufasa's funeral and ascension, Binga joins the Night Pride. Timon remains to live with his lost love, Tatiana. Kopa takes his place as king, and Zazu, Kiara, and Kovu become his followers. With the battle won, Kopa restores harmony to all the kingdoms, continuing the Circle of Life.

## Voice cast

* Matthew Broderick as **Simba**
* Ernie Sabella as **Pumbaa**
* Jeremy Irons as **Scar**
* Nathan Lane as **Timon**
* Eden Riegel as **Kiara**
* Rob Lowe as **Kopa**
* Jaime Camil as **Pinguino**
* Kevin Schon as **Thurston** and **Chungu**
* Behzad Dabu as **Azaad**
* Khary Payton as **Rafiki**
* Peyton Elizabeth Lee as **Rani**
* Alfre Woodard as **Sarabi**
* Maia Mitchell as **Jasiri**
* Diamond White as **Fuli**
* Ana Gasteyer as **Reirei**
* Landry Bender as **Makini**
* Shohreh Aghdashloo as **Janna**
* Rachel Crow as **Imara**
* Lacey Chabert as **Vitani**
* Jason Marsden as **Kovu**
* Andrew Kishino as **Janja**
* Fiona Riley as **Binga**
* Joshua Rush as **Bunga**
* Bryana Salaz as **Anga**
* Billy West as **Sharla**
* John O'Hurley as **Hadithi**
* John Oliver as **Zazu**
* Blair Underwood as **Makuu**
* Cheech Marin as **Banzai**
* Common as **Kiburi**
* Nick Watt as **Zito**
* Lynette DuPree as **Ma Tembo**
* Michael Dorn as **Bupu**
* Vargus Mason as **Cheezi**
* Phil LaMarr as **Goigoi**
* Maisie Klompus as **Madoa**
* Nolan North as **Tamka**
* Christian Slater as **Ushari**
* Hudson Yang as **Baliyo**
* Lou Diamond Phillips as **Surak**
* Miki Yamashita as **Nirmala**
* Sophie Reynolds as **Tazama**
* Johnny Rees as **Mzingo**
* Christopher Jackson as **Kitendo** and **Shujaa**
* Heather Headley as **Fikiri**
* Jeff Bennett as **Duke Meerkat**
* Tress MacNeille as **Tatiana**
* Eric Bauza as **Fred**
* Dusan Brown as **Beshte**
* Atticus Shaffer as **Ono**
* Julie Kavner as **Ma**
* Kimiko Glenn as **Chuluun**
* Keegan-Michael Key as **Kamari**
* Whoopi Goldberg as **Shenzi**
* Michael Luwoye as **Askari**
* Gabrielle Union as **Nala**
* Max Charles as **Kion**
* James Earl Jones as **Mufasa**
* Justin Felbinger as **Mtoto**
* Jim Cummings as **the Captain of the Guard**
* Sabrina Carpenter as **Shabaha**
* Savannah Lee Smith as **Kasi**
* Cam Clarke as **Mwoga**
* Rachel House as **Mama Binturong**
* Steve Blum as **Makucha**
* Beau Black as **Nne**
* Dee Bradley Baker as **Tano**
* Meghan Strange as **Shupavu**

## Appearances

### Species

* Lions
* Warthogs
* Meerkats
* Hornbills
* Mandrills
* Hyenas
* Eagles
* Honey badgers
* Cheetahs
* Hippopotamuses
* Egrets
* Elephants
* Gorillas
* Penguins
* Zebras
* Giraffes
* Antelope
* Rhinoceroses
* Mountain goats
* Musk deer
* Polar bears
* Tigers
* Jackals
* Crocodiles
* Vultures
* Snakes
* Skinks
* Binturongs
* Leopards
* Snow leopards
* Clouded leopards
* Porcupines
* Wildebeests
* Mongooses
* Tickbirds
* Aardwolves
* Drongos
* Utamu
* Grubs
* Hamerkops
* Cape buffalo
* Baboons
* Okapis
* Hyraxes
* Monkeys
* Foxes
* Owls
* Gentle lemurs
* Giant pandas
* Cape dogs
* Hawks
* Chameleons (mentioned)
* Tapirs (mentioned)

### Locations

* Outlands
	+ Elephant Graveyard
	+ Jasiri's watering hole
* Pride Lands
	+ Pride Rock
	+ Lair of the Lion Guard
	+ Mount Kilimanjaro
	+ Mizimu Grove
	+ Big Springs
	+ Kilio Valley
	+ Chakula Plains
	+ Maumivu Thorn Patch
	+ Urembo River
	+ New Pride Rock (debut/deleted scene)
	+ Ndefu Grove (deleted scene)
	+ Acacia Grove (deleted scene)
	+ Embamba Canyon (deleted scene)
	+ Chekundu Cliffs (deleted scene)
* Tree of Life
	+ Mountain pass
	+ Cikha Escarpment
* Back Lands
* Hakuna Matata
* Chamber of the Night Pride (debut)
* Lake of Fire (debut)
* River of Life (debut)
* Dhahabu Grove (deleted scene)
* Flamingo Beach (deleted scene)
* Warthogs' hut (deleted scene)
* Theluji Mountains (mentioned)

### Organizations and titles

* Bupu's herd
* Cek and Rama's flock
* Great Kings of the Past
* Jasiri's clan
* Kiburi's float
* Laini's group
* Lion Guard
* Ma Tembo's herd
* Majordomo
* Makucha's army
* Makuu's float
* Mbeya's crash
* Mzingo's parliament
* Night Pride
* Outlanders
* Outsiders
* Pride Landers
* Reirei's pack
* Royal Mjuzi
* Ruler of Pride Rock
* Ruler of the Tree of Life
* Shupavu's group
* Simba's pride
* Smun's prickle
* Thurston's herd
* Timon's colony
* Twiga's herd
* Final Army of Scar (debut)
* Hadithi's convocation (debut)
* Head Hog (debut)
* Princess of the Colony (debut)
* Pumbaa's sounder (debut)
* Undead Hordes of the Elephant Graveyard (debut)
* Army of Scar (mentioned)
* Hyena Resistance (mentioned)
* Baboon leader's troop (deleted scene)
* Baby baboon's troop (deleted scene)
* Kiril's herd (deleted scene)
* Fisi's clan (deleted scene)
* Muhimu's herd (deleted scene)
* Traveling Baboon Show (deleted scene)
* Vuruga Vuruga's herd (deleted scene)

### Events

* Kion's coronation (debut)
* Outlands Summit (debut)
* Famine (debut)
* Guinea fowl invasion (debut)
* Stampede (debut)
* Battle of Mount Kilimanjaro (debut)
* Ascension of Mufasa (debut)
* Kopa's coronation (debut)
* Return of Timon and Tatiana (debut)
* Timon's banishment (debut/flashback)
* Stampede (flashback)
* Famine (flashback)
* Battle for the Pride Lands (mentioned)
* Union of the Outsiders and Pride Landers (mentioned)
* Destruction of the Chamber of the Night Pride (debut/deleted scene)
* Destruction of Pride Rock (debut/deleted scene)

## Production

*Main article: Production of Battle for the Pride Lands and Epilogue: An Important Coronation*

*Epilogue: An Important Coronation* had a troubled production history. Its script and photography underwent major changes both before and during production. The creative idea of Kion and Rani ruling the Tree of Life for a better future was one that was made out of a desire to surprise audiences with a new experience with the same characters, as well as attempt to outdo what was accomplished in *The Lion Guard* with an unprecedented level of creative freedom available. In late 2020, Jon Favreau was announced to direct *Epilogue* and its predecessor, *Battle for the Pride Lands*, with Tony Bancroft also returning as Pumbaa's supervising animator, and Don Hahn becoming production manager after producing *The Lion King*. Mercury Filmworks, the lead vendor on *The Lion Guard*, provided the animation, which were supervised by The Moving Picture Company execs Robert Legato, Elliot Newman, and Adam Valdez.

## Music

Hans Zimmer's musical score for this episode referenced themes from previous *Lion King* media by Nick Glennie-Smith, Don Harper, and Christopher Willis, as well as his own themes from both versions of the original film. In addition, four of the songs from *The Lion King* and one song from *The Lion Guard* were reprised: "Circle of Life / Nants' Ingonyama", "Can You Feel the Love Tonight", "Be Prepared", "Hakuna Matata", and "Utamu". "Never Too Late" was written by Tim Rice and Elton John to this episode's credits. Kurt Heinecke and Thomas Newman conducted and orchestrated the sessions.

## Release

*Epilogue: An Important Coronation* was originally planned to be released on November 3, 2019, before being pushed back to 2022, released on the Disney+ streaming service. Before the episode's release, Disney issued a warning that the scenes with strobe-like flashing lights may trigger photosensitive migraines and seizures during some of those scenes. This was the first Disney+ original presentation to feature the commemorative 100th anniversary Disney logo in celebration of the company's centennial in 2023, created by Disney Studios Content and Industrial Light & Magic. Christophe Beck composed a new arrangement of "When You Wish Upon a Star".

## Reception

### Critical response

*Epilogue: An Important Coronation* received generally mixed reviews. Criticism was aimed towards the lack of originality, while the episode's dark tone and introduced supernatural elements received polarized responses, although the action scenes, musical score, animation, and voice cast's performances (particularly Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella) were praised.

### Controversy

Upon release, *Epilogue: An Important Coronation* was criticized for its perceived retconning of the plot, characterization, and themes of *The Lion Guard*; containing a number of plot holes (Scar and Ushari's returns being the most prominent); and its treatment of minority and female characters, particularly Vitani, Imara, Thurston, and Pinguino. When fans were confused of how Scar returned, it was clarified that he and Mufasa manifested their spirits in the bodies of unnamed lions, the act of possession, inspired by *Warrior Cats*.

## Trivia

* *Epilogue: An Important Coronation* contains the following references to previous *Lion King* media.
	+ The Outlands Summit is a collaboration between the Outlands' species for renewing their peace treaty with Vitani's Lion Guard. This is a reference to the Savannah Summit in *The Lion Guard* episode of the same name.
	+ Vitani and Imara developing their relationship is staged identically to Simba and Nala falling in love in *The Lion King*.
	+ Scar unveiling the Final Army of Scar is a callback to Scar rallying the Army of Scar against Kion's Lion Guard in *The Lion Guard* episode "The Scorpion's Sting".
	+ In the episode's first act, Pumbaa receives his elephant-esque snout. It is a reference to the *Timon & Pumbaa* episode "Uganda Be An Elephant", which focused on Pumbaa reinventing himself as a pachyderm.
	+ Ma builds a sinkhole to defeat the Final Army of Scar, which calls back to her tunnel trap for Shenzi's clan in *The Lion King 1½*.
	+ Surak shouts "Jogina!" while defeating Makucha. Surak originated his catchphrase in *The Lion Guard* episode "The Tree of Life".
	+ When the Pride Landers, the Outlanders, the Night Pride, and the Lion Guard regroup to devise a plan of defeating Scar, Pumbaa tells Timon that he has to do something, to which the meerkat replies, "What do you want me to do, dress in drag and do the hula?", to which the warthog replies that he doesn't think that would apply to this particular situation. This is a reference to *The Lion King* musical number "Hawaiian War Chant".
	+ Simba and Mufasa fighting Scar inside Mount Kilimanjaro is a callback to Simba and Scar's showdown at Pride Rock in the original *Lion King*.
	+ Rani anointing Binga as the new member of the Night Pride is a callback to Kion using his paw to gift each of his friends with a special shoulder marking in *The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar*.
	+ Kopa becomes king of Pride Rock, just as Simba did in the climax of *The Lion King*.

* This episode has the most number of cast members so far.
	+ Additionally, *Epilogue: An Important Coronation* is dedicated to Lynette DuPree, the voice of Ma Tembo, who died in February 2023.

* The working title of *Epilogue: An Important Coronation* was *The Lion King: Endgame*, a wordplay of the Marvel Studios film *Avengers: Endgame*.

* During early production of *Epilogue: An Important Coronation*:
	+ Sokwe, Majinuni, Hafifu, Uroho, Pua, Vuruga Vuruga, and Muhimu had speaking cameos in early drafts.
	+ It was intended to be the series finale.
	+ The strange lion survived his death and joined the Final Army of Scar.
	+ Varya, Feliks, Pasha, Polina, and Kiril were to attend Kion and Rani's wedding.
	+ Makini, Nne, and Ono fall into Scar's trap and use echolocation to find themselves out, with Nne's verses of "Anything" being audio archives of Beau Black's demo track of the song for *The Lion Guard* episode "Marsh of Mystery".

## Sequels

Main articles: *Lion Guard: The Leo Dynasty* and *Lion Guard: Wild Schemes and Catastrophes*
In 2022, despite earlier claims that *Epilogue* was the series finale of *Revisited*, *Lion Guard: The Leo Dynasty* and *Lion Guard: Wild Schemes and Catastrophes* were announced. They will serve as the repurposed conclusions to Phase 6 of *The Lion King: Revisited*. Disney later stated that Jon Favreau would not be returning to direct the episodes. Shortly after, George Scribner, who directed *Oliver & Company* (1988), was confirmed as director of *The Leo Dynasty*. In October, *Prince Kopa* writer Beyoncé was hired to write the screenplay for *Wild Schemes and Catastrophes*.

## References

1. ↑ As depicted in "Return to the Pride Lands".
2. ↑ As depicted in "Hyena Resistance".
3. ↑ As depicted in "The Famine".
4. ↑ The Lion Guard - Anything (Animatic)