Main Characters and Voice Actors
The 2019 photorealistic remake of The Lion King features a largely new voice cast. Donald Glover voices Simba, the future king, while Beyoncé voices Nala, his childhood friend and later queen. James Earl Jones returns as Mufasa, the original voice from the 1994 animated film, and Chiwetel Ejiofor voices Scar, the antagonist. Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner provide the voices of Pumbaa and Timon respectively, and John Oliver voices Zazu the hornbill. The film was produced by Walt Disney Pictures and released in theaters on July 19, 2019, with a worldwide box office total of approximately 1.66 billion dollars, making it one of the highest-grossing films of that year. The cast and production details are documented on the official Disney site and IMDb.
The 1994 animated original, directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, introduced the core character lineup that the 2019 version follows. Matthew Broderick voiced young Simba, while Jeremy Irons played Scar, Moira Kelly voiced young Nala, and Nathan Lane voiced Timon. Ernie Sabella has voiced Pumbaa across multiple films and series. The original film was produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released on June 24, 1994. It became the highest-grossing traditionally animated film of all time, a record later tracked by box office analysts and industry reports.
Supporting Characters and Their Story Roles
Several supporting characters shape the narrative of The Lion King across both the 1994 and 2019 versions. Rowan Atkinson voices Zazu in the 1994 film, a hornbill who serves as Mufasa's majordomo. The hyena trio, led by Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed, are voiced by Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin, and Jim Cummings respectively in the original. In the 2019 version, the hyenas are voiced by Florence Kasumba, Eric Andre, and Keegan-Michael Key. These characters serve as Scar's allies and drive much of the conflict in the Pride Lands. The Lion Guard television series, which premiered on Disney Junior in 2016, expands the story with new young characters, including Kion, the second-born cub of Simba and Nala.
The story follows Simba's journey from cub to king, with key characters influencing each stage. Mufasa mentors Simba and explains the Circle of Life before his death at the hands of Scar. Scar usurps the throne and forms an alliance with the hyenas, leading to drought and famine in the Pride Lands. Simba is later guided by the spirit of Mufasa and the comedic duo Timon and Pumbaa, who teach him "Hakuna Matata," meaning no worries in Swahili. The narrative structure has been analyzed by film scholars and entertainment outlets as a retelling of Hamlet with African wildlife settings.
Expanded Universe and Franchise Details
The Lion King franchise includes sequels, television series, Broadway adaptations, and merchandise. The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, released direct-to-video in 1998, focuses on Simba and Nala's daughter Kiara and her relationship with Kovu, a young lion raised by Scar's followers. The Lion King 1½, released in 2004, retells the original story from Timon and Pumbaa's perspective. The Broadway musical, which opened in 1997, has become one of the longest-running shows on Broadway, winning six Tony Awards including Best Musical. The franchise generated billions in revenue from merchandise, theme park attractions, and media licensing over the decades.
Disney has managed The Lion King intellectual property through its various business segments, including Walt Disney Studios