The Lion Guard

[2Disney4Ever]

I'll have to wait until I see this show in full animation before I can really make my judgement on it, because the majority of today's TV animation has never given me much reason to trust people to still know how to make artistically appealing cartoons. Based on these pictures alone though, it doesn't look too bad yet and might actually be something good.

[jazzflower92]

So, it will be in the 4-7 range so there is some hope this will actually be good quality entertainment. And the 90's kids rejoiced because Kiara is in this as well. And most of all they are actually going to get some research from animal and Swahili experts.

[disneyphilip]

Well Disney cleared up the issue of "Kiara":

The Lion King, following the adventures of Simba and Nala's children. Geared towards kids age 2-7 and their families, "The Lion Guard" television movie will premiere in Fall 2015, and the subsequent series will debut in early 2016 on Disney Junior and Disney Channel.

"The Lion Guard" begins as Kion, the second-born cub of Simba and Nala, assumes the role of leader of the Lion Guard, a group of the bravest and brightest tasked with preserving the Pride Lands. Instead of assembling a team of young lions to serve with him, Kion challenges tradition by calling upon friends he believes are the best choices - Bunga, a fearless honey badger; Fuli, a confident cheetah; Beshte, a happy-go-lucky hippo; and Ono, an intellectual egret. Stories will include special appearances by Mufasa, Timon, Pumbaa, Rafiki, Zazu and Kion's older sister, Kiara, the future Queen of the Pride Lands.

"The Lion Guard" movie and series were developed by Ford Riley ("Special Agent Oso"), who also serves as executive producer. Howy Parkins ("Jake and the Never Land Pirates") is director. Christopher Willis ("Mickey Mouse") is the composer.

Nancy Kanter, Executive Vice President, Original Programming and General Manager, Disney Junior Worldwide, said, "The story of 'The Lion King' has deeply touched families around the world since its original theatrical release 20 years ago. We look forward to introducing a whole new generation of kids to both the Disney legacy characters and to new friends and heroes."

The wildlife education experts at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park will serve as consultants on "The Lion Guard" stories, which will incorporate themes of conservation, family and community while also highlighting problem-solving, creative thinking and diversity. Author and Swahili expert Sarah Mirza is the language and cultural advisor.

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=119384

Having the hour long movie makes me hope that it is, in essence, a true "The Lion King 3" but I don't think it will be the whole deal since it'll be on Disney Junior. I do like that they aren't ignoring canon, I just wonder if Mufasa's appearances will be similar to his TLK2 appearance (Cloud Mufasa).

TLK2 was never actually canon to begin with.

[Mooky]

^^ Please get a hold of yourself.

Can somebody explain to me this whole Disney Junior label thing? Whom are the DJ shows aimed at? The only thing I've seen was Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and it seemed like it was meant for toddlers only. But then there's this (and the stills make it look like theatrical quality, not your run-of-the-mill show/feature) and Sofia which everyone keeps raving about. Is DJ like Disney Afternoon was or does DJ represents all of Disney Channel's animated output? Is Phineas and Ferb a DJ show? Stupid questions, I presume, but I'm thoroughly confused.

Either way, this looks interesting. And for respecting established continuity.

[disneyphilip]

^^ Please get a hold of yourself.

Can somebody explain to me this whole Disney Junior label thing? Whom are the DJ shows aimed at? The only thing I've seen was Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and it seemed like it was meant for toddlers only. But then there's this (and the stills make it look like theatrical quality, not your run-of-the-mill show/feature) and Sofia which everyone keeps raving about. Is DJ like Disney Afternoon was or does DJ represents all of Disney Channel's animated output? Is Phineas and Ferb a DJ show? Stupid questions, I presume, but I'm thoroughly confused.

Either way, this looks interesting. And for respecting established continuity.

It's not really established continuity either way.

[Mooky]

See, you keep throwing that reason around but it doesn't really stick. Care to explain why you think it's not in continuity with TLK AND TLK2 if the show's description (and we can assume, the show itself) specifically references a character introduced in TLK2?

[disneyprincess11]

So relieved Kiara is in it after all! Oh btw, enjoy!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFtBjc1dz7w[/youtube]

[DisneyFan09]

Well, as long as this spin-off turns out to be good, I don't mind another "Lion King" spinoff. Although it's odd that Simba and Nala would have another cub after Kiara's grown. Why not including Kopa?

Back in the 90's I wanted Disney to make a more naturalistic spin-off of "Lion King", somewhat more closer to the "Mermaid" and "Aladdin" series than to the final Timon and Pumbaa. It's not that the latter is bad, but it was less naturalistic.

[disneyprincess11]

Although it's odd that Simba and Nala would have another cub after Kiara's grown. Why not including Kopa?

You can say that Kopa is Kion and Kion is just his nick name/middle name.

[Atlantica]

If they pull this show off, and the quality is good, it would be great to see something for the Princesses take place; not as twee as 'Enchanted Tales' but something with a good story and great writing, as most of these shows seem to now have.

[thedisneyspirit]

If they pull this show off, and the quality is good, it would be great to see something for the Princesses take place; not as twee as 'Enchanted Tales' but something with a good story and great writing, as most of these shows seem to now have.

You mean, something like a show that features all of them co-existing together ala House of Mouse, or like Ehchanted Tales, where each portion of the show is dedicated to each princes...?

Or maybe just a new series based on the movies. Maybe we finally get Tangled: the Show or Snow White's animated adventures.

[unprincess]

so far everything Ive read about this has me excited! I like that they are including Kiara since LK2 is one of the few sequels I liked. I like that they are gonna try to be accurate to the wildlife, like in their first film(& not like T& P show that had a tiger in one episode.) Best of all, its classical 2d animation!

I wonder if this show came about b/c they saw how well LK did in its recent theatrical rerelease.

[Atlantica]

If they pull this show off, and the quality is good, it would be great to see something for the Princesses take place; not as twee as 'Enchanted Tales' but something with a good story and great writing, as most of these shows seem to now have.

You mean, something like a show that features all of them co-existing together ala House of Mouse, or like Ehchanted Tales, where each portion of the show is dedicated to each princes...?

Or maybe just a new series based on the movies. Maybe we finally get Tangled: the Show or Snow White's animated adventures.

I was thinking more Enchanted Tales style; a few episodes a season. Like or original concept of Enchanted Tales, but with more of a story like this show seems to have!

[disneyboy20022]

Timon and Pumbaa for all intents and purposes was more centered around Looney Tunes sort of humor and not real grounded to the world of The Lion King we saw in the movie at all.

I wonder if Kovu will pop up anytime in this series.

[rs_milo_whatever]

Timon and Pumbaa for all intents and purposes was more centered around Looney Tunes sort of humor and not real grounded to the world of The Lion King we saw in the movie at all.

I wonder if Kovu will pop up anytime in this series.

I HADN'T EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT KOVU!!

The stills look so great! The idea behind it is so great! I'm okay with Lion Kind 2 being canon and I'm ok with it being on Disney Junior. Because, honestly? It probably will be better on Disney Junior. Seems like they are putting in some effort on the writing, which is good, but on DJ it will be light hearted enough so that it's not a grating, dead horse-beating use of the characters. I'm all for this. I'm also all for this hypothetical Super Smash Princess you guys are talking about, wether it would be by lone Princess section or all together. I doubt that would happen since Sofia is already on the air. May be a new Little Mermaid cartoon; still princess theme, not over the top princess to clash with Sofia.

[disneyprincess11]

I wonder if Kovu will pop up anytime in this series.

If Kiara will be in it, so will Kovu.

[sunhuntin]

love the stills for this so far, especially the first one. the lion king was my favourite as a kid, the sequel was a close second, simply for the new characters.

pity they couldnt have made kion be the son of kiara and kovu. give simba and nala an older look. wonder if sarabi is still around? zazu? or, hopefully, vitani!

[disneyprincess11]

@sunhutin-It has been confirmed that Zazu is in it. I'm betting that Vitani is in it too.

[unprincess]

I loved Vitani!

actually now I wonder when exactly this takes place... is it right after the second film or after the first but during the earlier part of the 2nd, before Kiara met Kovu? Thats important b/c if its after the 1st but b4 the 2nd that might mean no hyenas(they left the EG after the end of the first film), which I loved too. If its after the second hopefully they can just have the whole clan return to the EG. And it would also affect wether we get Kovu or not...

[sunhuntin]

@sunhutin-It has been confirmed that Zazu is in it. I'm betting that Vitani is in it too.

thanks, thats good news on zazu, wonder who will voice him. fingers crossed for the rest of the pride, especially vitani. i do wish nuka hadnt died, poor guy. he could have been interesting.

im guessing we might get cameos from the hyenas, going by the plot. or maybe kion recruits them? lol.