My Lion King Forum

Why do you think Nuka died? I'm not wanting a "because he was crushed by logs" or "because he was trying to show off to his mother" answer, because he is a fictional character and that is not the reason the writers did it. Everything in movies happens for a reason, so why do you think the writers decided to make Nuka die? Do you think it wad symbolic of something? Did it trigger any events/change the outcome of the movie? Do you think the movie would have been written the same way if Nuka wasn't killed? Why did he die???
We all know he wasn't that important to the storyline; none of the characters mention him after the "You killed your own brother!" scene. So to me it is interesting that he was killed if he wasn't that important.
What are your thoughts?

Hmm good question. I've often thought about this myself. I felt like he was just a silly, flat character who was in the movie solely for comic relief purposes, until Disney decided to kill him off of course. And in such a dramatic way too. It really got me confused and got me to see a much deeper side of him and all the other characters' relationships with him. Maybe that's what Disney was aiming for?

I think it had several reasons. First, the writers obviously wanted to press the "Kovu-looks-just-like-Scar" envelope and give him a matching scar on his eye. So we have the "You've killed your own brother" rage that Zira has. In her rage, she strikes Kovu and gives him a scar. The scene also drives home how self-centered Zira is and how little she regards Nuka. Sure, she has a tender moment as she cradles his head as he dies. But then, she turns around and says "Simba has hurt me for the last time. Now he's corrupted Kovu." Not a single mention of how upset she is to lose her oldest child.

On a more subtle note, I think Nuka's death serves as the only reason why Vitani sees the light and sides with Simba and the Pridelanders at the end. "Kiara is right." I think seeing her brother die in a lost cause (trying to get Zira's love and attention" and seeing her mother dismiss his death (again she is hurt not because Nuka is dead, but because Kovu has sided with Simba) pushes her over the edge. And it is only after Vitani switches sides that the rest of the Outlanders do - they've already witnessed Zira dismiss Nuka's death, but now they witness Zira tell her only daughter "Then you will die as well."

So Nuka's death causes a snowball effect, and eventually causes the Outlanders to abandon Zira and side with Simba. Without his death, the prides might not have been united - or if they were, unity would have been achieved only through a lot of bloodshed.

I think, personally, that it was because they needed something to fuel Zira's anger more. Also, they needed something to show that Zira wasn't as heartless, and was actually hurt by Nuka's passing. Of course, they needed Kovu to get his scar, yadda yadda yadda. Though, I think StarlightLioness has the right outlook on it [above] because her post makes a lot of sense... Hm.

I'm very glad someone mentioned the Vitani point. I love that one myself.

I agree, Mike. I think Nuka's death helped Vitani change her mind too. If only she said so. Imagine if she said "Kiara's right, enough. Nuka death made me realise that you don't care about your own children!"

[quote="StarlightLioness"]I think it had several reasons. First, the writers obviously wanted to press the "Kovu-looks-just-like-Scar" envelope and give him a matching scar on his eye. So we have the "You've killed your own brother" rage that Zira has. In her rage, she strikes Kovu and gives him a scar. The scene also drives home how self-centered Zira is and how little she regards Nuka. Sure, she has a tender moment as she cradles his head as he dies. But then, she turns around and says "Simba has hurt me for the last time. Now he's corrupted Kovu." Not a single mention of how upset she is to lose her oldest child.

On a more subtle note, I think Nuka's death serves as the only reason why Vitani sees the light and sides with Simba and the Pridelanders at the end. "Kiara is right." I think seeing her brother die in a lost cause (trying to get Zira's love and attention" and seeing her mother dismiss his death (again she is hurt not because Nuka is dead, but because Kovu has sided with Simba) pushes her over the edge. And it is only after Vitani switches sides that the rest of the Outlanders do - they've already witnessed Zira dismiss Nuka's death, but now they witness Zira tell her only daughter "Then you will die as well."

So Nuka's death causes a snowball effect, and eventually causes the Outlanders to abandon Zira and side with Simba. Without his death, the prides might not have been united - or if they were, unity would have been achieved only through a lot of bloodshed.[/quote]
That says it all you hit the nail right on the head Starlight Lioness.

^^ Why thank you!

And when Zira blamed Kovu and said "You've killed your own brother!" It made Kovu feel even worse about himself, because Scar killed his brother too, which makes the scene more dramatic. Poor Nuka.

I agree with Starlight Lioness.
And for me Nuka's death was so sad because it was a character that you love almost instantly.