Reflecting on Disney’s past 30 years through ‘The Lion King’

LOS ANGELES — The character Mufasa was introduced to audiences in Disney’s “The Lion King” in 1994. The new film, “Mufasa: The Lion King,” explores his background as a young lion who becomes an orphan.

On The Red Carpet takes a look back at 30 years of “The Lion King.”

Featuring some of Disney’s most iconic songs, the original “Lion King” movie left a mark on the entertainment industry. The song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” by Elton John and Tim Rice even won an Oscar for Best Original Song. In 2019, Beyoncé and Donald Glover collaborated to record a new version of the song for the updated movie.

“The Lion King” franchise has always attracted top-tier talent. The films have boasted collaborations with renowned artists like Elton John and Tim Rice. Additionally, the presence of Disney Legend James Earl Jones, who voiced Mufasa, added a timeless quality to the movies.

In 1994, Jones spoke about his thoughts on some of the darker elements of the story.

“It highlights the good days. It highlights the good characters. It highlights when he finally sees Pumbaa. It highlights the good stuff, you know?”

At the premiere of the original film, Matthew Broderick, who voiced Simba, explained how he signed onto “The Lion King” before he even knew what story he was telling.

“They don’t give you a script. They give you kind of a showing of what they want the movie to be. So, they have, like, stills all around the room, drawings of the characters.”

Jeremy Irons, who voiced Scar in the 1994 film explained what he enjoyed about the animation process.

“The great thing about recording a voice for animation, the picture is being drawn as a result of the sounds you’re making, is that you can take it very wild, very broad.”

Flash forward to the 2019 premiere of “The Lion King,” and this generation’s Simba, Donald Glover, was boasting with pride about the film.

He said, “I love this movie. I really love it. I mean, like I’ve always loved it. It’s a special feeling. It’s my son’s favorite movie. To be a part of it is a real honor.”

Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner upheld that sentiment while speaking about their roles in “Mufasa: The Lion King.” Rogen voices Pumbaa, while Eichner voices Timon.

“We worked hard on it, you know. It’s a classic and we tried to inject our own flair into it I guess as much as possible,” said Rogen.

Eichner added, “We got in there, did our thing, tried to find our own jokes, our own rhythm while also nodding to what people loved about the original.”

Since “The Lion King’s” premiere in 1994, the franchise has inspired multiple animated sequels, Disney parks experiences, television shows and even a Tony Award-winning stage adaptation that’s still playing on Broadway!

“Mufasa: The Lion King” premieres in theaters tomorrow.

The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of this ABC station.