The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998)
- The incredible score for The Lion King II: Simba's Pride was composed in just a few weeks after the original composer dropped out.
- Many of the practical effects used in the climax were achieved without any CGI.
- Before Matthew Broderick was cast, several major A-list stars turned down the lead role because they felt the script was too risky.
The Lion King II: Simba's Pride is a 1998 American animated musical drama produced by Walt Disney Video Premiere, a direct-to-video sequel to the 1994 classic. The film follows Kiara, Simba and Nala's daughter, who falls in love with Kovu, an outsider lion raised by Zira โ a fanatical follower of the dead Scar โ in the barren Outlands. Kiara's forbidden romance with Kovu mirrors Romeo and Juliet while Simba must overcome his fear that Kovu is Scar's heir sent to destroy him.
For a direct-to-video production, Simba's Pride was remarkably ambitious, with a story that genuinely expanded the original's themes of prejudice and reconciliation across generations. The voice cast included Matthew Broderick reprising Simba and Neve Campbell as Kiara. The songs by Lebo M and others maintained the African musical identity of the original.
Simba's Pride was one of the most commercially successful Disney direct-to-video releases, selling over 15 million copies in its first week.
