‘The Lion King’ Had a TV Movie and Series You Forgot About

'The Lion King' Had a TV Movie and Series You Forgot About

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  • The Plot of ‘The Lion Guard’
  • Why Is ‘The Lion Guard’ So Underrated?

As someone who grew up with the original Lion King and its subsequent spin-offs, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia when I come across lesser-known gems like The Lion Guard. This series, aimed at the younger audience, might have been overlooked by many due to its departure from the family-friendly vibe of the original movies and its arrival in the mid-2010s, a decade after the last spin-off.

The Lion King is one of Disney’s most iconic franchises. Its 30-year history involves numerous films, TV series, video games, and other related media projects. It’s set to mark its three-decade milestone this month with the release of the new photorealistically animated Mufasa: The Lion King.

Everyone knows the flagship films. There’s the animated original, the better-than-expected straight-to-video sequel, and the 2019 remake. Real ones recall the late ’90s series Timon & Pumbaa and the spin-off film The Lion King 1 1/2. But there was actually another film and TV series released in the mid-2010s that casual fans may not remember. The movie was called The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar, and it acted as the pilot for the Disney Channel TV series The Lion Guard. Aimed at a preschool audience, this series isn’t talked about nearly as much when compared to other Lion King projects. Why is that? Was it its choice of target audience? Was it the fact that it arrived so long after the first movie? Or was it just overshadowed by the more well-known projects? Let’s look at everything we know about The Lion Guard and see if it’s worth a rewatch.

The Plot of ‘The Lion Guard’

The Lion Guard, which marked the fourth movie in the Lion King series on Disney Channel, premiered in November 2015. Contrary to continuing the narrative from previous films, it instead introduced a fresh cast of characters. Among them was Kion, the offspring of Simba and Nala, who had not been mentioned before. Kion learns he can harness the roars of ancient lion kings, granting him power. He assembles a team made up of his non-lion friends to safeguard the Pride Lands. Initially skeptical about his abilities, Simba recognizes that Kion is prepared to lead his new Lion Guard squad.

In January 2016, the new TV show builds upon the foundation laid by the movies. You’ll see Kion and his fellow guard members bravely defending the Pride Lands against dangers. Characters from the Lion King films are present, such as Simba, Nala, Timon, Pumbaa, Mufasa, Rafiki, Zazu, Kiara, Scar, and the Outsider lions. With a few exceptions (like Pumbaa), most characters have new voice actors, but James Earl Jones reprises his role as Mufasa in the pilot movie before being replaced later on. Initially, each episode can be watched independently, but the series eventually delves into ongoing storylines. This includes Scar’s return as a ghost and encounters with Zira and the Outsiders from The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride.

In order to address the inconsistencies and Kion’s absence in earlier productions, the first two seasons are depicted as occurring during the timeline leap presented in The Lion King II, where Kiara matures from a cub into an adult lioness. Meanwhile, the third and concluding season unfolds concurrently with the second act of The Lion King II, sharing the same timeframe as specific events depicted in the film.

Why Is ‘The Lion Guard’ So Underrated?

'The Lion King' Had a TV Movie and Series You Forgot About'The Lion King' Had a TV Movie and Series You Forgot About'The Lion King' Had a TV Movie and Series You Forgot About

It’s unfortunate that this series doesn’t get the recognition it deserves, as it pushes boundaries and extends the narrative of The Lion King in innovative ways. In contrast to the original TV show, Timon & Pumbaa, it couldn’t be more different. Instead of moving the characters out of the Pride Lands and into modern, humorous settings, The Lion Guard chose to maintain the essence of The Lion King. However, this approach might have contributed to its underappreciation as well.

Originally intended for Disney Junior’s preschool audience, this series deviated significantly from the family-friendly tone of the original movies. However, despite catering to a younger demographic, the show delved into more complex storylines. For instance, we watched Kion evolve as a character while dealing with heavier themes like conflict and mortality. Had it been marketed as a more adult-oriented series, perhaps it could have garnered a broader fanbase.

It’s possible that the release timing played a role. In 2015, there hadn’t been a fresh Lion King project since the 2004 1 ½ movie. This ten-year gap likely meant that The Lion King wasn’t top of mind for many people in the mid-2010s. Although the original film remains classic, it seems few were eagerly awaiting a new project. However, the 2019 remake grossed $1.6 billion worldwide, suggesting there was still enthusiasm for the franchise. So, was this excitement about the new movie or simply curiosity about how the story from the original would adapt to “live-action,” as Disney described it?

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2024-12-22 02:01