The Lion Guard (2015 / 2016)

[juhouh]

10's cartoon what can we expect? I'm sure if they made it like Timon and Pumbaa that would still be classified as too harsh for kids in todays standards because it'd include too much 'violence'. Even Tabaluga wouldn't make it to the TV anymore

[Timon8]

Stoked for this one. Altough I don't really like the concept, it's great to see something new of the Lion King on tv, since 2004.

[Regulus]

1994, 2004, 2014... I think it's intentional.

But actually, this will be 2015, so maybe not. Damn, so much for my conspiracy theory.

[Timon8]

Haha!

[Kopalover]

As much as everyone was hoping for a real "The Lion King 3" (Not to be confused with Timon and Pumbaas story.) I think this is there response to that.
It technically is a new Lion King 3, but in a tv show and well.. based for preschoolers.
I'm excited, and I have high hopes for this upcoming show. After all, they can't ruin TLK for us!

[Timon the great]

Honestly, I am Not looking forward to this very much given the fact that this work is most importantly out of everything else that people have been discussing in this topic, Aimed toward preschoolers. Which many appear to be forgetting about now.

The fact that it will be first and foremost aimed toward preschoolers, personally makes me see this as a mockery to the film franchise because those are geared to the general audience or people of all ages. Not just 5 year olds.

The only thing that I find that will possibly make this new television series worth seeing and looking on (and even that may not much to look forward to), is when I read that they will be bringing back the veteran LK characters such as my fav Timon, Rafiki, Mufasa, and so on to my surprise. But again, it's still not much to look forward to given that this will be about a non-film character who obviously is almost, if not completely based on a semi-canon character.

But there are real potential benefits to this planned series. I think that this could ultimately help the LK franchise altogether and especially encourage more people to at least revisit what has made this franchise successful in the first place (the films). I also feel that since Disney is bringing out something that could make a mockery out of the films, it could actually help people especially in the fandom, respect them even more (especially LK 1 1/2).

Long story short on this "Lion Guard", if the Disney company is going to make a television series along with an hour long preliminary episode to start it off, overall, they should have just ended up making a Lion King 4. Yes, I said it and I stand by everything I have said in this post.

It's ridiculous that something like this where I can really see that Disney ultimately just wants to actually milk the franchise itself in this way, is being treated just like if it's a brand new feature film by many who have already replied in this topic. But it's no surprise to me at all that many would talk about something like this more than what has been talked about the already made LK films on this forum, because people today don't really know what's truly good anymore.

All in all, if this is how Disney ultimately plans on commemorating the birth of the franchise (because I know that some of those guys in the company do look at what we say about LK on this forum), then this is a pretty poor idea in doing so. I just don't see how this can be the best thing to do for the franchise. Not even by a long shot. But it's no surprise to me at all because of the times today.

I would have to agree with another member who said in this topic that Disney doesn't really know what they're doing because they really don't. The live action films replacing their what they call their "classics" like "Maleficent" and that new "Cinderella" one and all the shows that they show now on Disney Channel. They're obviously becoming more and more focused on making as much money (and just mainly that) as they can now just like all the rest which isn't good at all. The formula they had during the times when the LK films came out is not there anymore.

Something new like this Lion Guard should never "replace" what has originally been made and what is actually so good. The films themselves can always be cherished and talked about. Just because they're old, doesn't make them obsolete from anyone/anything at all.

Bottom line, I'm not saying the series is necessarily going to be bad. But if it is good, I only see that it will be on its own. It's not something to be compared to the films at all, regardless of its outcome. Plus, they've already stated up-front that this is going to be a Preschool Series. So there's no reason to be excited about it much, like if it was an actual LK 4 being released.

[SlayerOfLight]

^ I can totally see what you mean there. Wheover came up with the idea of converting the Lion King franchise into a ''Dora the Explorer'' type of thing should be keelhauled. As if they don't have enough children's education programs yet by now in 2014

[Timon8]

I think it's great to show TLK to a younger audience. If this show becomes a success, maybe there's more to come.

[SimbasGuard]

[quote="Timon the great"]Something new like this Lion Guard should never "replace" what has originally been made and what is actually so good. The films themselves can always be cherished and talked about. Just because they're old, doesn't make them obsolete from anyone/anything at all.[/quote]

I don't Think that Disney is replacing anything with The Lion Guard. If anything I'd say that they are doing their best to make it known that this series takes place after Lion King 2. Why else wold they say that Kion is the second born cub of Simba And Nala. They also said that Kiara is the future Queen of the Pride Lands. It sounds to me like Disney isn't trying to replace anything. Especially not the original film

[quote="Timon the great"]Bottom line, I'm not saying the series is necessarily going to be bad. But if it is good, I only see that it will be on its own. It's not something to be compared to the films at all, regardless of its outcome. Plus, they've already stated up-front that this is going to be a Preschool Series. So there's no reason to be excited about it much, like if it was an actual LK 4 being released.[/quote]

Comparing a T.V. Series to a movie isn't really a fair comparison anyway. Aladdin, Little Mermaid and Legend of Tarzan were all very good T.V. Series, but I doubt that anyone would compare those excellent T.V. Series with the quality of the movies that they were spun off from. I loved Timon and Pumbaa and that series continuity-wise was a universe of it's own. I may not be thrilled that The Lion Guard is aimed at Preschoolers, however I know that going in so I am not expecting any stories on the the same level as the movie or even anything as good as The Aladdin or Legend of Tarzan Series. I'm just thrilled (Like many others here) that there is going to something new from the world of The Lion King. I also hope (However unlikely it is to happen) that if this series is successful it could lead to an actual 4th Lion King Movie (Not aimed at Preschoolers) I figure this series will introduce us to Kion as a cub, then he could appear as a teen or perhaps a very young adult. in a new Lion King movie (Not as the star just as a character).

[Timon8]

The only think I don't hope, is that they make an official theater movie about ''The Lion Guard''.