Couldn't Scar have just killed Simba?

[DGFone]

^ That's if Scar actually went and found Simba's body - a task that I am sure he did not do, and made sure that no one else would attempt. He simply had the hyenas do the murdering because he is not the kind of lion to do so, and then just claim that Simba's body was lost.

[TheBlackCatCrossing]

^Kind of off topic but did anyone get that vibe with Pain and Panic in "Hercules"? The evil uncle wants his nephew dead and his minions fail to do so?

[KentuckyWildcat]

Scar didn't want to do the dirty work, especially if there was a chance he could get caught like several of you have already mentioned. Also, the hyenas probably planned on eating Simba rather than simply killing him. Since the pride believed Simba to be dead without ever seeing a body anyway, it's not a stretch to think that Scar would have been able to pass it off all the same. If, somehow, the hyenas got caught, I think he would have just thrown them under the bus like he did when Simba came back.

[Minto]

I think Scar was just your stereotypical, manipulative villain. It's much more fun to the types of people who like to cause mental anguish to toy with their victims. In this case, Scar convinces Simba that he was responsible for his father's death. This way, even if the hyenas fail to dispose of him, at least he's stuck being tortured by the fact that he's a "murderer" for the rest of his life. Barring running into Nala, this would have worked: Simba never had any intention of coming back to the Pridelands until she found him.

Then there's the fact that I doubt Scar wanted to get his paws dirty. He was all about brain over brawn and not very physically inclined, and there was always the chance Simba could survive his attack, however miniscule.

[TheLionPrince]

[quote="TheBlackCatCrossing"]^Kind of off topic but did anyone get that vibe with Pain and Panic in "Hercules"? The evil uncle wants his nephew dead and his minions fail to do so? [/quote]

Yes, I did. I noticed that while I was watching the "Hercules (Animal Style)" series on YouTube two years ago: The similiarites speak for themselves around 2:04 - 2:28 in the video.

I say it is just a coincidence because TLK was adapted (or inspired) from several ancient stories, like Greek mythology. For more info, click the spoiler:

Spoiler: show

[quote="Mythological elements in movies"]The Lion King is another movie that borrows heavily from the Oedipus myth. Although Simba himself does not kill his father, but his uncle Scar instead, it is still a murder within the family that kills Mufasa. When he runs away, Scar takes control and runs Pride Rock into the ground. This could be seen as a curse on the land in exactly the same way as the curse of Oedipus family's curse. Scar is so arrogant he does not care and will not accept that it's his fault everything is dying. Simba returns to find his land is ruined by his uncle, and like a young Oedipus solving the riddle, he reclaims his territory and rebuilds it. The logical step Simba had to make was to kill his uncle Scar, but he does not do so. Instead it is the Hyenas who get the pleasure. This seems to be a way to end the curse of family murder, and allow a new start. The theme of the family blood curse is also prevalent in the story of the house Atreides (Agamemnon and Menelaus)

The Lion King also features a descent into the underworld motif when Simba and Nala go to the elephant graveyard. It features many of the elements of a trip to Hades, especially as it really was a land of the dead. The three hyenas could perhaps represent the three-headed dog Cerberus. They find it harder to leave than to enter, an aspect very much a part of all descent myths.[/quote]

Now, back to the main topic. I agree with every other poster before me, but I think one of the reasons Scar didn't want to kill Simba because he is a coward. He rather runs from the fight than confront it hence that explains why he runs away from a revengeful Simba during the battle at Pride Rock. Another reason is that in Scar's mind, Simba's "punishment must be more severe". It's a common trait in most movie villians to have the hero/heroine live on in suffering than just simply kill them. Like in The Dark Knight Rises, Bane would rather see Bruce Wayne/Batman feel the pain of seeing his beloved Gotham City fall into ashes than just simply kill him, hence his quote. The final reason is that Scar felt he wasn't physically up to the task, which he is why he has three hyenas to do his dirty work since he stated earlier in the film, he was lacking in "brutal strength".

[Khanu]

Even evil has standards?

I guess it was just a plot device, a way to make sure Simba got away. I mean, if Scar killed Simba, he wouldn't have escaped.

[Tabby]

[quote="Regulus"]"The hyenas killed Simba after the stampede, so let's let them live with us at Priderock!"[/quote]

My thoughts exactly.
-

I think, going a bit more focused on the production part, they, knowing it was an actual ''kids movie'' wouldn't have liked the lion cub to actually be all attacked to death by his own uncle, with his own paws, in a bloody scene... well, you know, it'd be just NSFW X). Then going into the actual TLk universe, I can do nothing but agree with what you've said so far, that Villians are like that, they want things to be perfect, and love to do a lot of talking without actions, even then, imagine the weight of the actual blood of your little nephew on your fingers, it's just easier to send someone else to do the dirty work.

[Immortal Lioness]

Hmm... well thought out. But you see Simba survived the stampede thanks to Mufasa. Scar somehow had to lure Mufasa in to get him killed easily. Scar knew Mufasa would do anything to save his son's life, afterwards Scar pretend comforted Simba. Told him to run away, but sent the hyenas after him. Scar probably thought well Mufasa isn't around anymore to save the young cub. No lionesses around either so the hyenas could easily finish the job. Last time the hyenas were so close, if it wasn't for Zazu going to tell Mufasa. Nala and Simba would have be killed then. Simba luckily escaped the hyenas the second time being small enough to crawl through the thorn bushes. Scar wanted to quickly blame the hyenas if anyone else found out. So let them do the dirty work. But the hyenas were not going to risk themselves getting hurt or wasting more energy, after chasing the herd of wildebeest.

But yeah they'd be no film if he was killed too. Scar's main focus was killing Mufasa, without a pride Simba is defenseless being a cub. Scar thought no way would he survive out there. But of course he did thanks to Timon and Pumbaa.

[Jiirani]

He could have but then there would be no movie would there

[SweetNala]

I don't think that it would work, since Scar's scent would still linger on Simba's body. Plus, he would risk Zazu waking up again.