The Lion King: Revisited/Concepts

This article consists of **concepts** of *The Lion King: Revisited*, including artwork, ideas, storyboards, and more.

## *New Acquaintances for Timon*

### Original characters

There were two meerkats named Stumpy and Flinchy, who were close friends with Swifty.

(To be continued)

## *Epilogue: An Important Coronation*

### Early story ideas

#### Timon and Pumbaa at the cinema

As Timon and Pumbaa watch the original *Lion King* in a theater, Timon decides to fast-forward to their scenes. Pumbaa's protest over this eventually prompts Timon to share his new story, going back to before the beginning of *Epilogue*. Once the story finishes, Ma, Uncle Max, Simba, Rafiki, and eventually many other Disney characters (such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Aladdin and Jasmine with the Genie, Stitch, Pocahontas, Dumbo, Peter Pan, etc.) join Timon and Pumbaa to rewatch the film in the theater in which Pumbaa tells Timon (as the screen fades to black) that he 'still doesn't do so well in crowds'.

#### Nuka and the strange lion's returns

A report stated that Andy Dick had reprised his role as Nuka with Paul Dobson or Frank Welker voicing the strange lion for *Epilogue*. However, they were cut from the final version.

#### Makucha's alliance with Fisi's clan

Originally, Fisi, Jake, and their clan were to join Makucha's army.

#### Simba's death and funeral

Unlike Mufasa dying in the final cut, Simba was supposed to die fighting Fisi and Makucha. Additional characters were to attend Simba's funeral, including Reirei, Goigoi, Cheezi, Chungu, Kiburi, Tamka, Mzingo, Sokwe, Shujaa, Majinuni, Hafifu, Kinyonga, Yun Mibu, Swala, Kongwe, Pim, Fred, Tatiana, and the Duke Meerkat.

### Workprint

#### Kion's coronation

The original version of Kion's coronation is much the same as it is in the final film. Kion marries Rani at the Tree of Life, becoming its king. Some differences include: there is a close-up of Mount Kilimanjaro at sunset; there are additional animals attending, including Makuu, Bupu, Laini, Boboka, Varya, Ullu, Sãhasí, Ãnanda, Tsah, Sasem, Heng Heng, and Kely; and there is a wide shot of Kion's family and his allies when he and Rani finalize their union.

#### Thurston and Pinguino's minor roles

Thurston and Pinguino played a small part in the overall narrative. They appear at the wedding, fight in the final battle, and attend Mufasa's funeral. In the final version, Thurston and Pinguino's roles were extended, being one of the protagonists of *Epilogue*, alongside Simba, Nala, Kiara, Kopa, Timon, Pumbaa, Ono, and Jasiri. In addition, Rafiki was turned down for Thurston and Pinguino learning the secret to defeating Scar.

#### Rafiki's sacrifice

During the stampede, Rafiki was to be killed in the wildebeests, freeing Vitani and her Lion Guard. Although Rafiki lives in the final cut of *Epilogue*, *Makini Fables: The New Apprentice* confirms his death due to old age.

#### Battle of Mount Kilimanjaro

More of the Lion Guard's allies partake in their showdown against the Final Army of Scar: Twiga, Shingo, Juhudi, Kiara, Zazu, Mwenzi, Bupu, Laini, Zito, Boboka, Mbeya, Kifaru, Zigo, Johari, Mtoto's mother, Dogo, Kijana, Dogo's brothers, Hodari, and Muhimu.

### Original songs

#### Long Live the King

The musical number during Kion's coronation was originally "Long Live the King", performed by Beau Black (as opposed to "Circle of Life / Nants' Ingonyama", performed by Lindiwe Mkhize).

#### Hakuna Matata

A different "Hakuna Matata" sequence had Timon asking Pumbaa where the grub is.

### Deleted lines

#### Shujaa

Shujaa was supposed to say "Shujaa ponda bad friends!" during the battle with the Final Army of Scar. In the final version, apart from roaring, Shujaa has no dialogue.

## *Prince Kopa*

### Early story ideas

#### Kaliban's fleet

In an early draft of *Prince Kopa*, Mohatu, Ahadi, Boma, Zuzu, Mama Binturong, Smun, Cheetata, and Cheetato were members of Kaliban's fleet.

#### Azaad and Janja's returns

Behzad Dabu and Andrew Kishino had reprised their roles as Azaad and Janja for *Prince Kopa*. Why they were cut from the episode is yet to be known.

#### Character cameos

An a-list of cameo appearances were planned. They included characters from *Six New Adventures* (1994), *The Lion King: A Nature Fun and Learn Series* (1995-1996), and *The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa* (1995-1999)-Chumvi, Kula, Quint, Baampu, Monty, Cheetata, and Cheetato, among others. Though this element of the episode's script was rejected, it was considered for the storyline of *Lion Guard: Wild Schemes and Catastrophes*.

### Voice talents

#### Kopa

Before Rob Lowe as selected for the role of Kopa, Nolan North was to voice him.

#### Kaliban

Before Chiwetel Ejiofor was selected for the role of Kaliban, Idris Elba was to voice him, referencing Elba's role of Shere Khan in *The Jungle Book* (2016).

#### Celia

There was a rumor that Tiwa Savage was slated to voice Celia, before Kelly Rowland was officially cast for the role.

#### Cardi

There was a rumor that Jessie Reyez was slated to voice Cardi, before Naomi Campbell was officially cast for the role.

#### Adah

There was a rumor that Moonchild Sanelly was slated to voice Adah, before Lupita Nyong'o was officially cast for the role.

(To be continued)