The Lion Guard

[disneyboy20022]

Lion King spin-off "The Lion Guard' to air on Disney Junior in 2015
http://mickeymindset.blogspot.ca/2014/0 ... ir-on.html

Mitchell Stein- Looks like Boy Meets World isn't the only Disney franchise to be resurrected back to television again this year. In a very surpirsing announcement made today revealed by the Wall Street Journal, Disney Junior is producing a series based off The Lion King set to air sometime in 2015.

“It’s kind of like ‘The Lion King’ meets ‘The Avengers,’” says Disney Junior general manager Nancy Kanter in the article. The plot story follows a cub named Kion, who is the son of Simba from the Lion King films, who assembles a group of animals to help him protect the pride lands. You might be familiar with Simba's daughter Kiara, who appeared in the direct-to-video sequel The Lion King II: Simba's Pride. Unless they plan to incorporate Kiara into this brand-new series this probably makes the canon in Simba's Pride completely irrelevant and may even pretend that the film didn't exist, which is likely as the movie was received a bit more critical reception than the original film, although it leveled up as a direct-to-video film. No recognition is found much in the world of Disney movies, theme parks or merchandise, so it's possible Disney chose to forget about that one altogether.

The new series, is set to premiere on Disney Channel sometime in 2015. It is unknown if it will have any specific connection to Disney Afternoon's Timon and Pumbaa television series.

Here's the full article from The Wall Street Journal:

http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2014/06/ ... lion-king/

[EZLiver9139]

This character design may be the only positive about this whole idea. Let's just see where this goes as more info becomes available. Not enough yet to gauge a full opinion.

[disneyprincess11]

Ummmmm....if Disney clearly knows about Kiara, WHY REPLACE HER WITH A RANDOM KID?!?! I'm so confused now to which one really happened?

[TsWade2]

Okay, that sounds a bit promising, if it's not on DIsney Junior. They previously announce Disney's 7D as a disney Junior show, until it's meant to be a Disney XD. I hope it's not really going to be on Disney Junior, because we really need a Disney Afternoon type a show.

[moviefan12]

Ummmmm....if Disney clearly knows about Kiara, WHY REPLACE HER WITH A RANDOM KID?!?! I'm so confused now to which one really happened?

This is what I was thinking as well but I'm willing to give this show a chance as the animation looks good and I do like some of the Disney Junior shows like Sofia The First and this could be really fun but couldn't Kiara have been included as this character's big sister. Then again, Disney seems to ignore the direct to video sequels as Melody isn't in Desceadants and on the one hand, I understand why Disney would want to ignore these films but at the same time, I do kinda like these characters.

[jazzflower92]

Its because we are not the target audience. Although I remember the fact that people who were fans of Kopa from the book series was mad when Kiara replaced him. It looks like now people who grew up with Kiara as Simba's daughter are now angry she is not in the upcoming television series.

[Sotiris]

I'm actually pleasantly surprised. Not that they're doing another Lion King TV show but that they're using a traditional Disney look instead of going with stylized, flat, updated designs and cheap Flash animation as usual. It's a refreshing change and it's been long overdue.

Could be really fun but couldn't Kiara have been included as this character's big sister?

Maybe she will be. It can't be a coincidence that the names of both of Simba's children start with a "K". I hope they respect continuity and acknowledge Kiara, even if it's just with a cameo or a reference.

I've found some articles:

Disney Junior Plans Preschool Series Based on ‘The Lion King’ (Exclusive)
http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2014/06/ ... lion-king/

For Disney Junior, Toys Above TV
http://online.wsj.com/articles/for-disn ... 1402353750

Disney Junior Developing ‘Lion King’ Series “The Lion Guard” for 2015
http://www.nickandmore.com/2014/06/10/d ... -for-2015/

[Kyle]

I'm not crazy about the design, or the fact that kiara may be retconned out (and I didn't even like the movie much), but it does look surprisingly well drawn for tv animation. I wonder just how dumbed down this might end up being. Will it be enough that I couldn't enjoy it? I can handle cartoons aimed at 8-12 year olds. But if its intended for 4 year olds I would probably only be able to stomach a couple episodes at most.

I wonder what they mean by the comment about adjusting the adjusting the look of the hyenas based on the feedback from the test audiences. Were they too scary before? too off model?

[Atlantica]

Quite surprised by this, thought they'd kind of forgotten about Lion King … they haven't really used the characters in a spin off for a while (as far as I'm aware). Completely agree with what Sotiris said, its a pleasant relief not to have the usual flash animation or CGI like Sophia.

If this show echoes the quality of Sophia, will be worth a watch ! I do find it funny in the blurb they compare it to the Avengers though

[Old Fish Tale]

Based on those two stills, it looks like the animation might be good. I'll definitely give it a chance!

[Miss Manday]

I am SO beyond excited for this!!!! Lion King being introduced to a new generation is an AMAZING thing. Would have loved to see Kiara or Kopa rather than a new character, but I'm sure we'll grow to love Kion too.

[Avaitor]

Disney usually seems to ignore the sequels, when you think about it (the series are another story, though- you can STILL find Angel merch at the parks), so I'm not too surprised that Kiara isn't the focus here. But hey, Hook and Smee appear in Jake and the Never-Ending Pirates, right? Never count out anything.

It makes sense that Disney is making a series like this, since it's kind of their new thing to make series loosely related to their movies for Disney Jr now, and The Lion King is still one of their biggest hits (easily their most popular non-princess movie, for sure). I'm sure kids will enjoy it, even if we're probably too old for it.

[SWillie!]

Kiara will be in this - just not the main character.

[PatrickvD]

Color me pleasantly surprised. It doesn't twist the visuals to work with low-budget looking animation.

Could be a lot of fun.

[thedisneyspirit]

Well I'm just glad that this seems like classic disney hand-drawn animation, and i'm glad for that. No CGI or Fish Hooks crap for the Lion King, bless.

I'm sorta interested, and curious. Doesn't Disney ignore the sequels? And yet this one article says how Kiara will appear here and there as Kion's big sister....

Anyway I'm just glad that Disney's making an animated series based on their movies. Seemed too long ago when they last did something like this (Sofia the First aside).

[unprincess]

definitly checking this out, just for the animation. Love that they are going to be true to the films original look! I wonder if any laid off 2-d animtors were able to find work on this series?

sucks about Kiara though...

[jazzflower92]

You know with all these animated series coming out based or semi-based on older Disney work it kind of reminds me how in the 90's that Disney pushed out an animated series for a lot of their movies. I wonder what tone they are going to strike with this series I have feeling it will be a little bit more serous than "Timon and Puumba". Although in my opinion I loved that series as a kid. Not to mention Ducktales, Goof Troop, and Chip n Dale Rescue Rangers.

I hope later this decade they could push out a series based on the "Sugar Rush" from Wreck It Ralph because that setting is screaming for an animated series. Or maybe how about a "Frozen" animated series in the essence of "Aladdin the Animate Series" and The Legend of Tarzan. They could put in characters and concepts from the original "Snow Queen" story.

[thedisneyspirit]

We need a revival of House of Mouse, with the new characters that missed the first installment (Lilo and Stitch, the Pixar characters, Wreck It Ralph, Tangled, etc etc).

[disneyphilip]

Kiara will be in this - just not the main character.

The direct-to-video cheapquel characters are supposed to remain forgotten!

I REALLY hope that this series is also going to be just as non-canonical or an alternate universe with a very different continuity like the cheapquels themselves.

Then again, as long as they don't revive any of the other incredibly-controversial non-canonical cheapquel characters (John Rolfe, Melody, Zephyr, etc.), it's fine by me.

Maybe the Kiara in this new series will be incredibly different (ie: Kiara in name only) from the one in Simba's Pride (which is also supposed to be non-canonical, due to it being made by TV Animation and not by Feature Animation).

[Nymbus]

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).