‘Maybe The Biggest Flex In The History Of Movie Trailers.’ Lin-Manuel Miranda Recalls The Lion King’s Impact When It Was First Coming Out And Dang

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The Lion King, produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, stands among the greatest animated films ever made. Upon its debut, it broke records as the highest-grossing animated movie of all time. The film’s success led to both a remake and a prequel, but many attribute the franchise’s success primarily to its groundbreaking trailer. Even Lin-Manuel Miranda acknowledges this.

The first trailer is unique among trailers because it isn’t just a collection of scenes. It’s actually just one scene. The first trailer for the film was simply the movie’s opening scene, the entire “Circle of Life” sequence and it was such an iconic moment that Mufasa: The Lion King songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda remembers it to this day. In a post on Instagram, he said…

The trailer for The Lion King consisted of the initial four minutes of the film, making it arguably one of the most impressive showcases in movie trailer history. Essentially, it said, “Experience the opening scenes here. Return to cinemas for the entire story.

Boasting isn’t out of place here, as the filmmakers undeniably had the skills to deliver. The opening sequence of The Lion King, many would argue, ranks among the finest movie openings in cinema history. The melody is captivating, the graphics are stunning, and it immerses you into the film’s world in a truly remarkable fashion.

Making such a bold choice with the opening song of your film carries a considerable risk, as it could potentially determine the success or failure of your project. If the opening number fails to captivate viewers and entice them into the cinema, the entire movie may flop. A conventional trailer can provide glimpses of a film’s best moments, thereby drawing in an audience who might be attracted even if they don’t ultimately become fans of the entire production. Using the opening scene sets the tone for what the movie is all about.

As a passionate cinephile, I must say that the quality of this trailer is so exceptional that it accomplishes what every one should aim for – it leaves you yearning to catch the entire film. If the opening scenes are this captivating, can you even fathom the excitement of anticipating the rest of the story? It ignites your imagination like a blazing fire. Picture yourself in a movie theater, sitting through typical trailers, and then encountering this masterpiece for the first time.

At the unveiling of The Lion King remake at D23, Jon Favreau expressed his desire to replicate an iconic trailer from the original movie. Regrettably, the CGI work wasn’t finished on schedule, preventing its realization. It would have been a fitting tribute to demonstrate the advanced technology powering the remake by presenting the recreated sequence much like it was originally shown.

The tremendous success of “The Lion King,” fueled by the impactful initial trailer, paved the way for an entire franchise. The movie was followed by DVD sequels, animated series spin-offs, the billion-dollar earning remake, and most recently, a prequel to the remake titled “Mufasa: The Lion King” which has achieved success on its own merit globally.

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2025-01-30 00:37