My Lion King Forum

A never-before-seen conversation between Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, and Tom Schumacher reveals that Simba was originally going to be raised by his evil uncle Scar, rather than running away and growing up with Timon and Pumbaa:

http://www.mtv.com/news/video/3029271/s ... lion-king/

I'm kind of glad this idea was scrapped because I have a hard time believing Simba would goof around while the Pridelands were deteriorating around him. On the other hand, this version of the story would have actually been more similar to the story of Hamlet. Thoughts?

[quote="Panda-chan"]
I'm kind of glad this idea was scrapped because I have a hard time believing Simba would goof around while the Pridelands were deteriorating around him.[/quote]
I could maybe wrap my head around it as a half-sensible AU. Simba gets raised by Scar and is initially carefree, but begins questioning what's happening as he grows up and develops a deeper understanding of what's befalling the Pridelands... maybe some Ghandi sort of moment or sequence of moments.

To be honest, I kinda like it because I would love to see Scar's face as he has Simba in his jaws, ready to snap his neck, and everyone rolls up and is like "Scar you did it you saved the day!".

This is an interesting abandoned story concept, which makes for an interesting alternate universe story. This basically fits with one version of the earlier storylines in which after Mufasa's death, Simba is manipulated by Scar to become a lazy, carefree character so Scar can overthrow him in a coup when he's of age to take over the kingdom. Timon and Pumbaa were written to be Simba's childhood friends at the time.

If this alternate story were used I have to wonder how Simba And Nala's relationship would have progressed. If Simba were to become a lazy goof off. That Nala didn't suffer the death of, I could see Simba's change in character driving them apart. Also how would Sarabi not still have a positive influence on Simba?

[quote="SimbasGuard"]If this alternate story were used I have to wonder how Simba And Nala's relationship would have progressed. If Simba were to become a lazy goof off. That Nala didn't suffer the death of, I could see Simba's change in character driving them apart. Also how would Sarabi not still have a positive influence on Simba?[/quote]

This.

The story is fun to read about in retrospective but the movie is better off in the direction it ultimately went in.