by Elton John » August 20th, 2016, 2:58 pm
I don't think that Disney has been reluctant about the franchise since it became a critical and commercial success and won two oscars.
It was the first Disney film I can think of that got a broadway musical. It's the only disney movie I can think of that got an 'inspired by' album (Rhythm of pridelands, a legitimately good album). The 20th anniversary got more fanfare than any other 90's disney film so far. It got two theatrical re-releases. It was the first movie to get a 'legacy collection' album two years ago.
During my disneyworld trip last year there was a fairly sizable amount of merchandise for the movie. Sure there was more frozen stuff, but frozen was the new hotness and tlk is two decades older.
I remember hearing how elton john was initially reluctant about making music for the movie, saying that he thought it would ruin his career. Considering how his concerts are still packed and he tends to perform 'circle of life' and 'can you feel the love tonight' at concerts often and how he performed his tlk music at a disney park this year and helped with the broadway musical I doubt he harbors any ill will.
I can go on and on. I think the real reason why disney doesn't include Nala or Kiara in the princess lineup is because they aren't marketable in the same way belle, jasmine or elsa are.
The disney princess lineup was just a clever marketing tactic. I would say that it shouldn't matter who is considered a disney princess or not, but official ones tend to get the most merch.
Why do we fall? So that we can learn to pick ourselves back up again.