Early Version of "The Lion King II"

[TheLionPrince]

Hey, guys! I found an interesting article on an early synopsis of The Lion King II. I have been meaning to share this with you much earlier, but other things came up and I wanted to explore this and do research.

Here's this website: New information about Disney's sequel to the 1994 animated feature The Lion King


I would so love to get your opinion on this, so I devise some questions:

1. What do you think of Andy Dick voicing Kovu? According to The Unofficial Lion King Character Encyclopedia, Nunka and Kovu were names thrown around to be Scar's son. Although, we know this wasn't to be since Nunka/Kovu would Kiara's first cousin once removed, and the filmmakers removed the incentous overtones, and stated Kovu, in the final film, isn't Scar's son.

2. What do you make of Jennifer Aniston and Sarah Jessica Parker been offered to voice Kiara? Also, according to The Unofficial Lion King Character Encyclopedia, Aisha was a name thought up to be Simba's daughter. Barely readable,a page from an Australian kids' magazine stated other names for Kiara were Chaka, Shani, and Aisha. Apparently, according to the trivia page of The Lion King II on IMDb.com, they threw out the name, Aisha, when Disney realized this was already the name of the Yellow Ranger of the popular "Power Rangers" television show. By the way, that name was Aisha Campbell from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.

3. Is this possible that Zira was originally Scar's mate? Zira (or "Bianca" as some fans claim it was an early name for her) isn't mentioned in the article, but since Nunka/Kovu was originally scripted to be Scar's son, this implies Zira was originally scripted to be Scar's mate. I personally believe this was thrown out when they removed Nunka/Kovu from being Scar's son, so she's just a follower in the final film. But, what's your take on it?.

P.S. If you seen this article before, I would still like your opinion on this matter.

[SimbaSam]

Hmmm, im surprised I haven't seen this, very interesting. ^^

[WhiteFang]

Yeah, I've seen this before. I don't have much to say, but...

I can't imagine Jennifer Aniston voicing Kiara. I love her as an actor, but her voice just isn't Kiara. It's too "grown-up" or something. Not that Neve Campbell (whom I also love as an actor) sounds childlike, no, but she's just more...girly, yes I think that's the word I was looking for. Kiara is total girly-girl and Aniston's voice just isn't enough so. As for Parker, I can't recall her voice now and I'm too lazy to check. ^^

Amd I think it's entirely possible that Zira was originally intented to be Scar's mate, but just not the queen. I'd guess usually the two should be the same thing but I wouldn't be surprised if Scar didn't respect this. He did say "I'm the king, I can do whatever I want." So Zira as Scar's mate wouldn't have even contradicted the canon film really.

But I too think that the mate-ness was thrown away at the same time when Kovu was no longer Scar's son. Because even though at that point too they did have Zira say that she'd be Scar's queen if Scar was still the king, it could be just her wishful thinking and personal belief simply for Scar chose her cub as his heir. I'm convined it's just that and nothing more because the script has Rafiki say "But that is where Simba banished Scar's followers including the most loyal...Zira". I think if Zira was still supposed to have been Scar's mate, that line would've said so, instead of refering to her simply as "the most loyal follower".

[SimbasGuard]

Yeah I don't think, Andy Dick's voice would have been right for Kovu at all. and I agree with White Fang that Jenifer Aniston's voice would not have suited Kiara at all (for the reasons stated by White Fang). For reasons I don't know how to explain I'm just glad Sarah Jessica Parker was not cast as Kiara, Nev Cambell was able to give the at times bubbly performance that Kiara needed to work as a character.

I have always felt that Zira was Scars mate, but it makes sense to me that the movie would just not mention this to avoid having to explain how Scar's mate would have a cub that Scar was not the father of, thus necessitating a much more in depth explanation about Kovu that would more than likely require a movie of it's own to explain. So it's better to not mention that Zira was Scar's mate and let the viewers assume Zira is Kovu's biological mother.

[WhiteFang]

I have always felt that Zira was Scars mate, but it make sense to me that the movie would just not mention this to avoid having to explain how Scar's mate would have a cub that Scar was not the father of, thus necessitating a much more in depth explanation about Kovu that would more than likely require a movie of it's own to explain. So it's better to not mention that Zira was Scar's mate at let the viewers assume Zira is Kovu's biological mother.

I guess...But...Then it makes me wonder why would they mean it that complicated if it couldn't make its way into the story? As in I think the situation makes keeping it that way completely pointless as no one would ever know.

[SimbasGuard]

I guess...But...Then it makes me wonder why would they mean it that complicated if it couldn't make its way into the story? As in I think the situation makes keeping it that way completely pointless as no one would ever know.

You're right my theory is way over thought and most likely incorrect. I did not mean to pass my theory off as Disney's line of thinking.