The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (partially found production material and deleted scenes of Disney animated sequel film; 1995-1998): Difference between revisions
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Several scenes and characters in the early drafts were cut, for instance, Binti, a love interest for Zazu who would have married him at the end of the film. There was also concept artwork of two mandrills, Claw and Fang, whose roles were unknown.<ref>https://lionking.fandom.com/wiki/Claw_and_Fang/Gallery </ref> | Several scenes and characters in the early drafts were cut, for instance, Binti, a love interest for Zazu who would have married him at the end of the film. There was also concept artwork of two mandrills, Claw and Fang, whose roles were unknown.<ref>https://lionking.fandom.com/wiki/Claw_and_Fang/Gallery </ref> | ||
There had also been a dream-sequence in which Simba communicated with his father, Mufasa to lament his daughter’s relationship with | There had also been a dream-sequence in which Simba communicated with his father, Mufasa to lament his daughter’s relationship with Kovu to which Mufasa would warn Simba to let go of his shadows, lest he let his family and the Circle of Life break apart. James Earl Jones, the voice actor for Murasa was shown recording lines for this deleted scene in the ''Proud of Simba’s Pride'' documentary. "You have let your family break apart, and in doing so, you have broken the Circle of Life." | ||
A 1996 Variety article describes Cheech Marin, the voice actor for Banzai in the original film, reprising his role for Banzai in the sequel, although it is unknown if Whoopi Goldberg and Jim Cummings would have returned as Shenzi and Ed respectively.<ref> https://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/cheech-cops-plum-role-nash-article-1.732224 </ref> The hyenas would ultimately be cut from the film and replaced with Outsider lions. | A 1996 Variety article describes Cheech Marin, the voice actor for Banzai in the original film, reprising his role for Banzai in the sequel, although it is unknown if Whoopi Goldberg and Jim Cummings would have returned as Shenzi and Ed respectively.<ref> https://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/cheech-cops-plum-role-nash-article-1.732224 </ref> The hyenas would ultimately be cut from the film and replaced with Outsider lions. | ||
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==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
===Images=== | ===Images=== | ||
<gallery mode=packed heights=175px> | <gallery mode="packed" heights="175px"> | ||
File:TLK2_LOGO_EARLY.png|An early logo for the film. | File:TLK2_LOGO_EARLY.png|An early logo for the film. | ||
File:TLK2_ZIRA_DEATH.jpeg|A screenshot of the film's finalized version of Zira's death. Her facial expression is what lead to the rumors of the deleted scenes being finished. | File:TLK2_ZIRA_DEATH.jpeg|A screenshot of the film's finalized version of Zira's death. Her facial expression is what lead to the rumors of the deleted scenes being finished. |
Revision as of 20:47, 3 November 2023
The Lion King II: Simba's Pride also stylized as The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride is a direct-to-video sequel to the 1994 film The Lion King made by Disney in 1998. Widely considered by many to be one of the best Disney direct-to-video sequels, it underwent many changes before its release in 1998.
Early Production
Discussion began about the possibility of a direct-to-video sequel to The Lion King before the first film even hit theaters. According to some concept art of Kiara, production of the sequel dates back to January 26th, 1995, roughly seven months after the original film’s release. Around that time, the sequel was originally titled Return to Pride Rock.[1]
Early drafts of the film in mid-to-late 1995 saw Simba having two cubs: Chaka and Shani, who would later go onto be Kiara. Eventually Chaka was cut from the film for unknown reasons, and in later drafts, Simba would only have Shani as his child.[2]
One 1995 script envisioned Nala singing a lullaby to Shani, whilst Simba hides his disappointment of not having a son. Later on, we would see an older Shani reject a fleet of suitors coming her way much to Simba’s frustration, although this concept would later be dropped from the film, as Kiara is not said to have any betrothals.
In 1996, many early treatments of the film saw Simba’s daughter Shani, fall in love with Kovu, the orphaned son of Scar raised in exile by his villainous aunt Bianca, (an early iteration of Zira). Bianca would have teamed up with Shenzi, Banzai, Ed, and their clan to take revenge on Simba by targeting him and his daughter.[3] One iteration would have shown Kovu abandoning Bianca to make a commitment to Shani whilst another would show the hyena trio discovering Kovu and Shani’s romance and revealing Bianca’s ulterior motives. Another iteration has Simba’s treatment of Kovu be considerably kinder than it was in the final film. In the latest known early draft, climax of the film would’ve seen Bianca leading an army of hyenas into the Pride Lands, in which they attack and overwhelm Simba.
Several scenes and characters in the early drafts were cut, for instance, Binti, a love interest for Zazu who would have married him at the end of the film. There was also concept artwork of two mandrills, Claw and Fang, whose roles were unknown.[4]
There had also been a dream-sequence in which Simba communicated with his father, Mufasa to lament his daughter’s relationship with Kovu to which Mufasa would warn Simba to let go of his shadows, lest he let his family and the Circle of Life break apart. James Earl Jones, the voice actor for Murasa was shown recording lines for this deleted scene in the Proud of Simba’s Pride documentary. "You have let your family break apart, and in doing so, you have broken the Circle of Life."
A 1996 Variety article describes Cheech Marin, the voice actor for Banzai in the original film, reprising his role for Banzai in the sequel, although it is unknown if Whoopi Goldberg and Jim Cummings would have returned as Shenzi and Ed respectively.[5] The hyenas would ultimately be cut from the film and replaced with Outsider lions.
Bianca would later be renamed Zira presumably due to having no Swahili origins, and would be changed to Kovu’s mother rather than his aunt.
Later on that year, Darrell Rooney and Jeannine Roussel had signed up to direct and produce the sequel, in which production had underwent a complete overhaul, shifting the story to that of an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
According to Darrell Rooney Zira was designed to be Scar’s mate, so that their son Kovu would have a claim to rule the pride. In the selling draft, Kovu was given two siblings, Nuka and Vitani, characters who were added into the final draft of the film; They had also been Scar and Zira’s children in the draft. Kovu would have seduced Simba’s daughter Kiara in order to get to Simba, only to fall in love with her. Micheal Eisner, the former CEO of Disney, objected to this, as this would have lead to an incestuous relationship between Kiara and Kovu as first-cousins once removed. This idea was scrapped and thus in the final film, it is clarified that Kovu holds no biological relationship with Scar. Additionally, Scar and Zira’s relationship was written to be purposefully obscure in hopes of making her “just a follower” suggesting that none of Zira’s children are related to Scar.
Concept artwork shows that Kovu was originally intended to inherit many of Scar’s physical traits, such as a sleek black mane, a lanky figure, brownish orange-fur, and green eyes. These features were all dulled once Kovu was no longer written to be the son of Scar.
Later Production
In a workprint, Kiara is shown having ear rims. In the workprint, Rafiki is seen painting on his tree commenting on the pride's secure future. Mufasa then messes up the painting and Rafiki discovers there's another cub, Rafiki accuses Mufasa of breaking the circle but then he sees the new cub as trouble.
Unlike the final film where Kovu is not seen training whatsoever. he is seen training by hunting termites, he is seen hunting one and letting it go seeing it did him no harm which Zira then kills stating it as a weakness. Nuka and Vitani are later seen informing Zira about a new cub Zira blames Simba for Scar's death Nuka later requests that as the oldest, he should be king but Zira snaps at him reminding him that Kovu is the Chosen One, so he will be king. After Nuka complies with his mother's vision, Zira climbs up on a rock point to gaze out over the Pride Lands with her children following her. She marvels at how green and "inviting" it is and informs her children that they truly belong there. She makes a promise to Scar that she and her pride will reclaim his Kingdom.
"My Lullaby" was significantly different with a different instrumental and different singer. Originally Nuka's death was longer when Nuka tells his mother that he has finally received his attention from her, Zira gives a true loving smile to Nuka as she holds his head before he passes away. During Kovu's exile, there was an additional scene during Kovu's judgment Kiara was also seen crying. "Not One of Us" had a different instrumental than the final one. "Love Will Find a Way" also have a different instrumental Kovu, and Kiara were supposed to race each other back.
Originally Zira's death was much darker than the finalized version with Zira refusing Kiara's help and deliberately throwing herself into the river. Kovu mourning his mother's death and one of Kiara's lines were not present. There was also a post-credit scene of Timon and Pumbaa eating termites in the Outlands.[6]
Availability
It is rumored and speculated that Nuka's death and Zira's death were finished and shown with multiple people claiming to have seen it or have it albeit with no proof. In the film itself, there is evidence of such with Nuka being heard saying "Didn't I?" and Zira smiling while falling.
With no proper confirmation, it is unknown if these rumors are true.
Gallery
Images
Videos
See Also
Advertisements
- The Incredibles (found full version of McDonald's Happy Meal commercial for Pixar animated film; 2004)
- The Incredibles (found online promotional trailers for Pixar animated film; 2004)
- Pixar (partially lost early CGI animated commercials from animation studio; 1989-1998)
Animation (Disney)
- Alice in Wonderland (partially lost original draft of Disney animated film; 1939)
- Aladdin (found Howard Ashman treatment of Disney animated film; 1988)
- American Dog (partially found original version of "Bolt" Disney animated film; 2007-2008)
- The Black Cauldron (partially found deleted scenes of Disney animated film; 1985)
- Chanticleer (partially found production material of cancelled Disney animated film; 1940s-mid 1960s)
- Chicken Little 2 (partially found production material of cancelled sequel to Disney animated comedy film; 2006)
- Disney Circle Seven Animation (partially lost production material of cancelled Pixar sequel films; 2004-2006)
- Dumbo II (partially found production material from cancelled Disney animated sequel film; 2000s)
- Fantasia 2006 (partially lost production material for cancelled Disney animated sequel film; 2002-2004)
- Fraidy Cat (lost production material of cancelled Disney animated film; 2004-2005)
- Frozen (partially found early drafts of Disney animated film; 1937-2012)
- Gigantic (lost production material of cancelled Disney animated film; 2013-2017)
- The Jungle Book (lost Bill Peet version of Disney animated film; 1963-1964)
- Kingdom of the Sun (partially found original version of "The Emperor's New Groove" Disney animated film; late 1990s)
- Maleficent (lost production material of cancelled Disney animated film; 2003-2005)
- Music Land (lost Disney animated anthology film; 1955)
- My Peoples (partially found production material of cancelled Disney animated film; late 1990s-early 2000s)
- Phineas and Ferb (lost production material of cancelled theatrical film of Disney Channel animated series; 2010s)
- The Search for Mickey Mouse (lost production material of cancelled Disney animated film; 2002)
- The Seven Dwarfs (partially found production material of cancelled direct-to-video prequel to "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" Disney animated film; 2000s)
- Tangled (partially found early drafts of Disney animated film; 2001-2010)
- Tinker Bell (partially found first draft of Disney animated film; 2007)
- Treasure Planet II (lost production material of cancelled Disney animated sequel film; 2002)
- Wild Life (lost production material for cancelled Disney animated film; late 1990s-2000)
- Zootopia (partially found pre-rewrite version of Disney animated film; early 2010s)
Animation (Pixar)
- A Tin Toy Christmas (lost production material of cancelled Pixar animated Christmas TV special; early 1990s)
- Cars 3 (lost deleted scene of Pixar animated sequel film; 2017)
- The Good Dinosaur (lost original version of Pixar animated film; 2011-2013)
- Inside Out (lost original Bing Bong death scene of Pixar animated film; 2015)
- Made in Point Richmond (found miscellaneous content from Pixar DVD; 1986-2000)
- Newt (partially found production material of cancelled Pixar animated film; early 2010s)
- Toy Story (partially found early test footage of Pixar animated film; 1992)
- Toy Story 4 (found original script of Pixar animated sequel film; 2013-2017)
- Toy Story & Toy Story 2 (partially found intermissions for 3D double feature re-release of Pixar animated films; 2009)
- Toy Story "Black Friday Reel" (partially found rough cut of Pixar animated film; 1993)
- Toy Story "Jessie" (found Patsy Montana Award acceptance speech animation of Pixar character; 2000)
- WALL·E (partially found original treatments of Pixar animated film; 1994-2008)
Audio
- Enchanted (lost deleted song from Disney live-action/animated fantasy comedy film; 2007)
- Fantasia (partially lost original audio of Disney animated film; 1940)
- Jack Wagner (partially lost Disney Park background music collection from American actor; 1970s-2001)
- Mars Needs Moms (found Seth Green vocal performance of Disney motion-capture animated film; 2011)
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (lost original Vincent Price audio of Disney stop-motion animated film; early 1990s)
- Pinocchio (lost Mel Blanc's "Gideon the Cat" dialogue from Disney animated film; 1940)
- Toy Story 2 (partially found Bullseye dialogue test footage from Pixar animated sequel film; late 1990s)
Live Action
- 101 Dalmatians (found "Spotted Landmarks" teaser trailer of Disney live-action film; 1995-1996)
- Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (found deleted scenes from Disney live-action film; 1993)
- Sleeping Beauty (partially found live action reference material for Disney animated film; 1959)
- Something Wicked This Way Comes (lost original cut of Disney dark fantasy film; 1982)
- Walt Disney (lost physical Mickey Mouse animation reference footage of animator; late 1930s)
Short Films
- Alice Comedies (partially lost series of Walt Disney animated short films; 1920s)
- Blowin' in the Wind (found Pixar animated short film; 1985)
- Lafflets (lost series of Walt Disney animated short films; 1922-1923)
- Language Arts Through Imagination (found series of Disney educational short films; 1988-1989)
- Mickey and Minnie Mouse (lost unauthorized pornographic animated short film; existence unconfirmed; 1936)
- Mickey's Man Friday (partially found production material of unproduced remake of Disney animated short film; 1939-1941)
- Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (partially lost series of Walt Disney animated short films; 1927-1928)
- Poor Papa (found "Oswald the Lucky Rabbit" Walt Disney animated short film; 1927)
- The Princess Academy (lost production material of cancelled Disney animated short film; 2009)
- Short Subject aka "Mickey Mouse in Vietnam" (found unofficial animated short film; 1968)
- Tales from Radiator Springs "To Protect and Serve" (lost episode of "Cars" animated miniseries; 2015)
- Totally Twisted Fairy Tales (partially found Disney animated short series; 1997)
- Uncle Walt (lost unauthorized Disney short film; 1964)
References
- ↑ https://lionking.fandom.com/wiki/File:Kiara_model_sheet_1.png
- ↑ https://lionking.fandom.com/wiki/The_Lion_King_II:_Simba%27s_Pride_(April_1995_draft)
- ↑ https://lionking.fandom.com/wiki/The_Lion_King_II:_Simba%27s_Pride_(January_1996_draft)
- ↑ https://lionking.fandom.com/wiki/Claw_and_Fang/Gallery
- ↑ https://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/cheech-cops-plum-role-nash-article-1.732224
- ↑ https://archive.org/details/lion-king-2-workprint-vhs