Start practising your Hakuna Matatas — 'The Lion King' returns to Australia this month for a season at Sydney's Capitol Theatre.
The story of the lion cub who follows his destiny to become king of the jungle has been seen by over 70 million people in theatres worldwide, while the film it was inspired by has grossed more than $980 million since being released in 1994.
Consider yourself something of a 'Lion King' aficionado? Know the Pride Lands of Africa like the back of your hand? Here are 10 things you just might not know about the animated musical.
“Simba” Is Swahili For “Lion”
It's not the only Swahili-inspired character name, either. “Pumbaa” is based on the word for “lazy” or “careless” and “Nala” can mean “gift”. The Wildebeast Stampede Took Disney Three Years To Animate
The scene lasts for two-and-a-half minutes.
It's The Highest Grossing Hand-Drawn Film In History
It's also one of three other animated Disney movies to win a Golden Globe for Best Picture. The other two were 'Toy Story' and 'Beauty and the Beast'. Scar And Mufasa Weren't Meant To Be Brothers
In the first draft of 'The Lion King', Scar was an outcast. The writers decided making him and Mufasa brothers would give the story a 'Hamlet'-inspired twist. Disney Didn't Think Lion King Would Be As Popular As Pocahontas
In fact, Disney split the production team in two, giving Team B 'The Lion King' while Team A concentrated on 'Pocahontas'. John Cleese Was Going To Play Zazu
Patrick Stewart and Michael Palin were also in the running – until the producers watched an episode of 'Mr. Bean' and Rowan Atkinson won the role. Simba's Mane Was Inspired By Jon Bon Jovi's Hair
Come to think of it, they are strangely similar. It's The Fifth Longest-Running Show On Broadway
Beaten only by 'Les Miserable', 'Cats', 'Chicago' and 'The Phantom Of The Opera'. Tigers' Roars Were Used, Not Lions
The recordings of lions' roars weren't considered powerful enough so tigers were used instead. Pumbaa Was The First Disney Character To Fart On Film
Need we say more?
– written by Phoebe Hurst
