I think that 'the lion guard' is going to be a soft reboot..

[Elton John]

Basically I think that they are going to keep all the events of the first movie as canon, and keep everything that makes sense in the two sequels that don't cause continuity errors with the first movie while establishing new canon.

My predictions are

-Kiara is still the same character she was as a cub in tlk2.

-Most of Timons backstory before the events of tlk1 will be canon to him, we might see references to uncle max and ma.

-this unfortunately means no vitani, zira or nuka references. These characters just don't fit in the continuity of tlk1. It is possible that Kovu might show up with a different backstory as he is a popular character.

-HOWEVER this also would mean that sarabi and sarafina could show up in the show. Sarabi survived tlk1 and I assume sarafina did as well. Considering real lions can live over 20 human years it's not implausible to think they could still be alive.

-it could also possibly mean the original hyena tri could show up.

This is just speculation on my part so please just take this with a huge grain of salt.

[DGFone]

This theory does make sense, but we will simply have to see what it will be like when the show comes out.

Based on the trailer, it's obvious that they already invested a lot into what will end up contradicting at least some canon of the second movie, so it's very likely that they are going to choose to ignore most of that movie for the sake of a "better" TLG, whatever it may be in their eyes. I just hope that deciding to go against the movies will be worth it.

[SimbasGuard]

I like most of your predictions Elton John and I would love if it turned out to be right regarding Sarabi, Sarafina, and The Hyena Trio.

Unlike you and DGFone however I have hope that more of Lion King 2 will stay intact than what current previews would lead us to believe. I think it is very possible that Zira, Nuka, Vitani, and Kovu Could show up. However I will be shocked if it happens in the first season. I think a surprise at the end of the season finally is the earliest that we could hope to see them. if they show up at all.

[Hatari05]

In truth this an opportunity to tie the two movies together we're getting Scar's background whose to say the show can't also show some of Scar's reign and explain how Zira and her family were a part of the first movie and establish where they were at the end. Every show has those filler episodes that build the world and history of the franchise but don't quite advance the story of that particular season whose to say the first season and being Disney there will be more couldn't have an episode focusing on them.

Maybe eventually have the show do a time skip where the later season is when Kion is an adult like Kiara and reveal he and Lion guard went after the outsiders which was planned by Zira to insure the Lion Guard wasn't there for Kovu's mission Kion comes back and meets Kovu and you think of a different story for that season. Everything can fit together if they want to of course for all I know they plan to introduce the outsiders and do a completely different story with them which requires retconning Lion King II and if it's necessary for the story you're telling then do it.

Still they could fit everything together really easily if they wanted to.

[SimbasGuard]

That is an intriguing possibility Hatri05, it may requiter re-branding The Lion Guard at some point, but letting The Lion Guard grow with it's audience (At least somewhat) seems like a good idea.

[gothprincesskiara]

see thats why im kinda down about this is that, I just hate how TLK2 is ignored, my biggest wish and hope is that they bring Zira and the outsiders in somehow someway.

[Hatari05]

I agree with you while they were clearly a retcon Elton John is absolutely right about that I felt they added to the mythology of the lion king turning it into a struggle between Mufasa and Scar's legacy through both Simba and Zira anyone whose read my Zira and Simba are similar thread will know what I'm talking about.

The existence of the outsiders also makes Scar's death kind of horrifying he had another Pride out there he had a mate he had a family but he would rather drag the Pride Lands down with him and die than just admit defeat and go find his Pride and family his ego meant that much to him he would rather essentially die than let go of his pride. That's horrifying and really shows just what kind of monster Scar either always was or became over years who would choose suicide and pride over their family what kind of monster would do that? It also adds emotional edge to his death despite how monstrous he was someone did care about him I still want to see a scene depicting when Zira found out about his death. In my view Zira and the outsiders add to Lion King as a whole and I don't want them forgotten.

I love the idea of letting something grow up with your audience it starts off for the kids but as they grow it grows though I don't think it needs to be too lighthearted I was four when I saw the first Lion King loved it all the same character deaths psychological issues and all. I was seven or eight when I saw the second loved it all the same dark tone and all.

Kids are not stupid they don't need things to be toned down for them and I'm hoping disney realizes this they need to quote Mufasa here remember who they are and just what kind of things they released they've always made family things and almost nothing they released during the nineties could be considered kiddy so there's no reason for Lion Guard to be.

[escobea1]

That was very well analyzed Hatari05. Zira remains one of Disney's most impressionable villains because of her unique drive for revenge at the loss of love. It would be fantastic to see her and the Outlanders return in the Lion Guard or in a followup Disney XD series. I hope that the Lion Guard continues to include lessons of growth and maturity for its audiences since one of the show's aspects is teaching respect for wildlife. There may be more acknowledgement of death and loss within the circle of life as Mufasa once taught his son. I will watch this hoping the Lion King 2 remains canon and that the Outlanders make an appearance further on. To know that a new character may show us that not all of the hyenas are greedy and malicious is enough to keep me excited.

[Ultra Fox]

I'm still worried on the base that TLG is a Disney Junior program.

Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy... considering a lot of fans of the original movie/s are older at this point (and considering the first 2 movies have some surprisingly dark themes), I don't see why this has to be possibly dumbed down for preschoolers.

[Hatari05]

True the Lion King franchise is known for it's mature themes to not focus on that would be to not respect the Lion King franchise of course the trailers could be miss leading I mean a lot of the marketing for the original film focused only on cub Simba and were much lighter than the actual movie these trailers could be miss leading us as well.

Escobea1: I agree with you about Zira she really is a great villain and I love the idea of how far revenge drove her I too hope Lion King II remains Canon but that's not up to me so all I can do is hope they know what they are doing I remain optimistic.