My Lion King Forum

So, over at the Lion Guard wiki some members have been uncovering some early concept stuff. In addition to finding the Zuka Zama concept song (which is all over the place now) the same member found five different concept videos containing Kion's Lament (early/demo singer), Tonight we Strike (two versions), Call of the Guard and the original ending for RotR:

http://lionguard.wikia.com/wiki/Concept ... ted_Scenes

I have to say, I think I prefer the very early version of Tonight we Strike to the final. I love how those birds fly out from behind him.

I'm mixed on the original "Mark of the Guard" design - on the one hand, the lion head of the final is a lot more dynamic and iconic. On the other hand, the pawprint is adorable and a touch more realistic. Like many others, when I first saw the pawprint mark, I thought Kion's spots had coincidentally developed into a pawprint formation, or perhaps he touched his shoulder with a muddy paw. Like Panpardus, I too was hoping there would be a Rafiki ceremony associated with the marks. Either of those would have either kept it more grounded in realism, or tie it into the first couple films better. But we got what we got.

I love the shot of Kion on Pride Rock with his parents and Mufasa. I really wish they had kept that in the final, with the minor change of adding Kiara.

I like the mark as it is now, and honestly it still does look like a paw print and roaring lion head.