Anyone else get the general feeling that TLK2:SP was rushed?

[Josh]

Just my general point of view, but I think that the sequel to the first film didn't really capture that 'greatness' the first one had and overall to me felt as if had been rushed to completion just to go straight to shop shelves. I know that many sequels aren't usually as good as the first, but this had me a bit irritated in some places. First of all I'm left to wonder why Sarabi doesn't make a cameo in the second, I do know that the voice actor for her shortly died after the first film was released, but I'm sure they could have fitted the character in some were. For instance at the start during the presentation of Kiara, Muffasa is seen looking down smiling at Rafiki. He doesn't speak and I don't suppose a extra bit of work effort and you could have put her next to him in the clouds, this could easily answer questions to what had happened to her in between films. I have other examples but i'd be rambling on so I'll leave this to discussion. What do you guys think?

[Noah]

Just my general point of view, but I think that the sequel to the first film didn't really capture that 'greatness' the first one had and overall to me felt as if had been rushed to completion just to go straight to shop shelves.

Yeah, it was missing the spark that the first film had. I would chalk it up to a lackluster production team. This was Darrell Rooney's first time in the directors chair. Technically it was rushed into production, but not for the reasons you may think, in fact it was delayed a lot. The sequel was thought of before the original was released in theaters, it was reported in early 1995 that the sequel was supposed to released in "the next twelve months", but it got delayed and then it was reported in May 1996 that it would be released "early next year" (meaning early 1997), but the Chicago Tribune reported it was still in the production phase in March 1997. Finally it was reported it would get released in November 1998, which is when it really was released. The delays were mostly due to rewrites focusing on removing the connection between Kovu and Scar, thus removing any incestuous overtones.

Sorry about not being able to view some of the articles. You have to have a special account in order to view them sometimes.

First of all I'm left to wonder why Sarabi doesn't make a cameo in the second, I do know that the voice actor for her shortly died after the first film was released, but I'm sure they could have fitted the character in some were. (sic)

Forget cameo. I would have loved for her to have a big role in this film. Yes, they could have recast her and probably wouldn't have minded doing that either, but they probably didn't want her in the movie. I think that Madge Sinclair's (voice of Sarabi) untimely death is a non-issue. Jeremy Irons (Scar) and Rowan Atkinson (Zazu) both got recast, for the sole reason of them having dialogue written for them. It's really sad though, she was such an interesting character.

For instance at the start during the presentation of Kiara, Muffasa is seen looking down smiling at Rafiki. He doesn't speak and I don't suppose a extra bit of work effort and you could have put her next to him in the clouds, this could easily answer questions to what had happened to her in between films. I have other examples but i'd be rambling on so I'll leave this to discussion. What do you guys think?

Would it surprise you to know that James Earl Jones actually reprises his role? I actually didn't even know it either until a couple of months ago. Here he is in the recording studio. Anyways, I would love to find out what happened to her. I am guessing that since Mufasa's parents are not in the original, that only two generations of lions are alive at the same time. Thus, Sarabi and Sarafina (as well as Mufasa and Scar if they hadn't been killed) would have died of old age before SP starts.

I really enjoyed answering these questions , don't be afraid to reply here or post others throughout the forum. I always enjoy discussing things like this with other people.

[TheLionPrince]

^I believe Noah has answered your question to the fullest extent.

Anyway, I have to add that TLKII producer, Jeanine Roussel, claimed on the audio commentary of the 2006 DVD release of Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure that she, along with Darrell Rooney, begun production of TLKII in 1996.

Also, an interview with Phil Weinstein (a storyboard director on TLKII) mentions Darrell Rooney "was the one who ended up taking it [the film] to the finish line." Based on Weinstein's words, he is implying that several directors came before Rooney took over.

So, it seems the movie wasn't rushed at all, but had a long, troubled production (much like the first film's). Goodness knows it must have, since it was originally a story about Simba's daughter falling for Scar's son, who are also cousins.

[AdAstrα]

I absolutely feel that is was rushed. The animation, the special effects, the score...it's obvious that they didn't put as much of an effort into making this as they did with the first one (which is what they SHOULD do even with a sequel IMO. I'm 100% against sequels only being made to milk the cash cow.) Still, I do think it could've been a whole lot worse. At least this one is decent as opposed to horrible, like many other Disney sequels.

[FlipMode]

It came out four years later... Not that rushed lol =P

For instance at the start during the presentation of Kiara, Muffasa is seen looking down smiling at Rafiki. He doesn't speak and I don't suppose a extra bit of work effort and you could have put her next to him in the clouds, this could easily answer questions to what had happened to her in between films.

Implying that she randomly died in the space of - about a year or so? Nah, I think I would rather her not be there at all.

I mean, this film unfortunately lives in the shadow of the original which is a shame. You are only saying it feels rushed because you are comparing it to the original, which was something of a surprise hit to begin with. Because if you look at it for what it is and try not to compare it, its actually a really good film (and yes I do still think its better than the first one). But the moment you compare it to the first one, the flaws start to rear their ugly heads, I just think for every one thing the film did wrong, it did another ten right and the positives outweighed the negatives.

Its not rushed IMO at all, its just merely under appreciated sometimes.

[SimbasGuard]

I am guessing that since Mufasa's parents are not in the original, that only two generations of lions are alive at the same time. Thus, Sarabi and Sarafina (as well as Mufasa and Scar if they hadn't been killed) would have died of old age before SP starts.

It could also be that Disney felt that saying Sarabi had died would have required explanation that distracted from the main plot of the movie. I personally would have liked her name to be mentioned.

There is also the Fan Theory that it was Sarafina who said "My how you've grown" when Kiara was about to go on her fist hunt. If that is really the case they should have mention it.

If Noah's theory turns out to be correct that means that Simba and Nala would not live to see Kovu and Kiara's cubs. I hope that if Disney were to make another Lion King movie (I will never give up hope) that Simba and Nala will still be in it.

As for the production quality doping off for the sequel, well I know that Disney grants a smaller budget to there direct to video projects than for it's theatrical releases. That makes it slightly unfair to expect a Direct to DVD sequel to as good (Production-wise) as a theatrical original (However Disney proved this didn't have to be the case with Lion King 1 1/2).

[Noah]

I mean, this film unfortunately lives in the shadow of the original which is a shame. You are only saying it feels rushed because you are comparing it to the original, which was something of a surprise hit to begin with. Because if you look at it for what it is and try not to compare it, its actually a really good film (and yes I do still think its better than the first one). But the moment you compare it to the first one, the flaws start to rear their ugly heads, I just think for every one thing the film did wrong, it did another ten right and the positives outweighed the negatives.

Now Flippy, what did I say about playing nice with the new kids?

It could also be that Disney felt that saying Sarabi had died would have required explanation that distracted from the main plot of the movie. I personally would have liked her name to be mentioned.

Now that's a good idea. I never thought of this before.

[Josh]

Yh sorry if I do come across as a bit of a newbie on here, I've been searching for a site like this for a while just to generally get these questions off my chest and discuss them.

[Noah]

^Don't worry I was the same way. Still am actually. lol. You have to excuse my buddy Flipmode. He's had the opportunity to be involved with numerous TLK discussions over the years, something I'm jealous of him for. He seems mean, but he's harmless.

[Josh]

No, no honestly I like whatever replies there are. It's better to be honest about things and express whatever you feel about the topics on hand.