The Lion King II: Simba's Pride
A sequel to The Lion King, inspired by Romeo and Juliet.
In 1998, Walt Disney Video Premiere released *The Lion King II: Simba's Pride*, a direct-to-video animated musical drama. Directed by Darrell Rooney, it serves as the sequel to Disney Animation's 1994 film *The Lion King* and is the second part of the trilogy. The story draws from William Shakespeare's *Romeo and Juliet*. The animation was handled by Walt Disney Animation Australia. The plot follows Kiara, the daughter of Simba and Nala, who falls in love with Kovu. Kovu belongs to an exiled pride that was once loyal to Scar. Simba's prejudice against this pride, combined with a vengeful scheme by Kovu's mother Zira, makes it difficult for Kiara and Kovu to bring their divided prides together.
Most of the original voice cast returned for this film, though there were some changes. Rowan Atkinson, who voiced Zazu in the first film, was replaced by Edward Hibbert for both this movie and *The Lion King 1½* (2004). Jeremy Irons, who voiced Scar in the original, was replaced by Jim Cummings, who had briefly provided Scar's singing voice in the first film. The movie was released by Buena Vista Home Entertainment on October 27, 1998. Although it did not attract the same level of attention as its predecessor, *Simba's Pride* received generally positive reviews from both critics and audiences.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Darrell Rooney
- Producer
- Jeannine Roussel
- Screenplay
- Flip Kobler / Cindy Marcus
- Starring
- Matthew Broderick / Neve Campbell / Andy Dick / Robert Guillaume / James Earl Jones / Moira Kelly / Nathan Lane / Jason Marsden / Suzanne Pleshette / Ernie Sabella
- Music
- Nick Glennie-Smith
- Editing
- Peter Lonsdale
- Studio
- Walt Disney Television Animation Animation outsourced to Walt Disney Animation Australia and Walt Disney Animation Canada.
- Distributor
- Buena Vista Home Entertainment Distributed under the Walt Disney Home Video imprint.
- Released
- 27 October 1998
- Runtime
- 80 minutes
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The film follows Kiara, daughter of King Simba and Queen Nala, who as a cub wanders into the Outlands and befriends Kovu, a cub from the Outsiders—a pride of Scar's exiled followers. Simba's prejudice against the Outsiders and a plot by Kovu's mother Zira drive the conflict. Years later, adolescent Kovu rescues Kiara during a wildfire, and Simba reluctantly accepts him into the Pride Lands. Rafiki helps the two lions fall in love, but Zira's machinations lead to a battle where Kovu's brother Nuka is killed and Kovu is exiled. Kiara reunites with Kovu, and together they stop the fighting; Zira dies after falling off a cliff. Simba welcomes the Outsiders back, and Mufasa's spirit congratulates him.
Reader's Guide
The Lion King II: Simba's Pride was released direct-to-video by Buena Vista Home Entertainment on October 27, 1998. While not drawing the same attention as its predecessor, it received generally positive reviews from critics and audiences. Most of the original cast returned, with exceptions: Rowan Atkinson was replaced by Edward Hibbert as Zazu, and Jeremy Irons was replaced by Jim Cummings as Scar. The film's plot was influenced by Romeo and Juliet, with director Darrell Rooney noting it allowed understanding of the parents' positions. Production began in 1994, with animation done primarily in Sydney, Australia, and pre-production in Burbank, California. The film was accompanied by a promotional campaign including tie-ins with McDonald's, Mattel, and Lever 2000.
Did You Know?
- Kathleen Turner had originally been cast as Zira but was replaced for undisclosed reasons.
- During production, Kovu was originally intended to be Scar's son, which would have made him Kiara's first cousin, not first cousin once removed.
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