This article consists of concepts of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, including artwork, ideas, storyboards, and more.
Early story ideas[]
Kovu as Scar's son[]
In early drafts, Scar was Kovu's father. [1] According to concept artwork, Kovu inherited many of Scar's physical attributes, including his black mane, green eyes, and orange-brown fur.[2] Kovu's relationship with Scar was changed in the middle of production to avoid incest, as he would have been Simba's first cousin and thus Kiara's first cousin once removed.[3]
Kovu's gang[]
According to production notes for the sequel, Kovu was originally the leader of a gang that consisted of a water buffalo voiced by Paul Reubens. His second-in-command was Brutus, a rogue elephant, who was the main antagonist of the film. Kovu suggested that they vacate the Pride Lands to avoid Simba's wrath, but Brutus refused. Intending to lay claim to the Pride Lands himself, Brutus allied with the hyenas and Shani’s suitor plotted to use Kovu as a puppet king. He gave Kovu an ultimatum: either he would challenge Simba for the throne, or they would kill Shani (an early iteration of Kiara).[4]
Zira's alliance with the hyenas[]
In early drafts, the hyenas formed an alliance with Kovu's aunt, Bianca (an early iteration of Zira), to kill Simba and his daughter, Shani (an early iteration of Kiara). They discovered Kovu and Shani's relationship, and later, they helped Bianca invade the Pride Lands and attack Simba.[5][6] A 1996 article from New York Daily News reported that Cheech Marin had reprised his role as Banzai for the sequel.[7]
Vitani's crush on Kovu[]
In early drafts, Vitani had no relation to Kovu. Rather, she had romantic feelings for him, and he, in turn, felt "pity" and a "fleeting connection" with her.[8][9]
Kovu's idolization of Nuka[]
In early drafts, Nuka had no relation to Kovu and was simply an Outsider lion whom Kovu admired.[8][9]
Deleted characters[]
Binti[]
Concept artwork of Binti.
Binti was a female hornbill who became mates with Zazu. Together, they reared eight chicks.[5] She was to be voiced by Jane Leeves.[10]
Chaka[]
Chaka was the son of Simba and Nala, and the older brother of Shani.[11][12]
Claw and Fang[]
Claw and Fang were mandrills. Their intended role in the sequel is unknown.
Brutus[]
Brutus was a rogue elephant who was the main antagonist of the sequel in early 1995 drafts. He was the second-in-command of a gang led by Scar's son, Kovu. In his plot to lay claim to the Pride Lands, Brutus allied himself with the hyenas and Shani’s suitor, and schemed to use Kovu as a puppet king. He attempted to force Kovu to challenge Simba for the throne, lest they would kill Kovu's love, Shani.[4]
Lion X[]
Shani's suitor (tentatively dubbed "Lion X" in production notes) was a male lion who was the supporting antagonist of Simba's Pride. He was the leader of a pride who had joined Simba's pride. He was the spitting image of Mufasa, and thus, Simba saw him as a son. However, he was "Mufasa on the outside, Scar on the inside," while Kovu was "Scar on the outside, Mufasa on the inside." Simba introduced Lion X to Shani and implied his eligibility as a suitor. After seeing the attraction between Shani and Kovu, Lion X entered the Elephant Graveyard, where he saw the hyenas and became a pawn of the rogue elephant Brutus.[4]
Binti and Zazu's chicks[]
Zazu and Binti reared eight chicks together.[13][14]
King Regandi[]
King Regandi was the father of Kovu in late 1996 drafts of Simba's Pride. At the end of the film, shortly before Zira's death, she revealed to Kovu that he was not Scar's son. Just then, King Regandi of a distant pride territory revealed that he was Kovu's father and that Zira had stolen Kovu from him. He was like "Mufasa, with a black mane, sort of like Scar on steroids" design-wise. He was the king of a territory even more vast and grand than the Pride Lands, with large, snow-covered mountains, immense waterfalls, and rich, thick rainforests.[15]
Alternative scenes[]
Shani's suitors[]
| “ | Nala: I wonder which one she will choose. Simba: None of them. Just like last week. Just like the week before.
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At Pride Rock, several young male lions lined up before Shani as potential suitors. However, she showed no interest in them. From the sidelines, Simba and Nala lamented their daughter's headstrong nature.[16]
Mufasa's warning[]
Originally, Simba was going to communicate with his father, Mufasa, in a dream sequence. Simba expressed his concern that Scar had defeated him from the grave, but Mufasa retorted that Simba had defeated himself, for he lived beneath a shadow that was no longer there. Simba argued that the shadow remained, but Mufasa countered that it would only remain as long as Simba held on to it. He then chastised Simba for letting his family break apart and, in doing so, letting the Circle of Life break apart.[5] In the "Proud of Simba's Pride" documentary, James Earl Jones is seen recording a line for Mufasa: "You have let your family break apart, and in doing so, you have broken the Circle of Life."
Shani's first hunt[]
As Shani's first solo hunt approached, Simba worried over her safety. Zazu noted that Simba tagging along would spoil Shani's initiation into adulthood, and Simba reluctantly accepted that his "little girl" was growing up. When the day of the hunt arrived, Nala and the lionesses saw Shani off as she went after a herd of antelope.[5]
Kovu and Shani's wedding[]
News of Kovu and Shani's engagement spread throughout the Pride Lands. When Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed caught wind of this, they reported what they had heard to Bianca in the Elephant Graveyard. Bianca lashed out and disclosed her plan to kill Simba and Shani after the wedding, although Shenzi questioned how living in the Pride Lands would be possible if they killed Kovu's new family.[5]
Shani leaves Kovu[]
After sharing a long look with Kovu, Shani fled into the jungle. Binti questioned why Kovu would accept this, to which he claimed that letting her go was the only way to keep from losing her.[5]
Bianca's army[]
That night, Bianca and her army of hyenas assembled. Bianca stated that the time was at hand and that they would claim their destiny. They then invaded the Pride Lands, unaware that Shani had witnessed the event.[5]
Kiara's presentation[]
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The original version of Kiara's presentation is much the same as it is in the final film. Rafiki welcomes the Pride Landers to Pride Rock, where they witness him lifting Kiara into the air. Some differences include: there is a close-up on Rafiki, who's singing part of "He Lives In You"; more of Mufasa's body is visible in the clouds; Kiara bears ear rims, like those of the cub at the end of the original film; there is a wide shot of Kiara, Rafiki, Simba, and Nala when Timon and Pumbaa unintentionally misgender Kiara; and the title card reads The Lion King: Simba's Pride (as opposed to The Lion King II: Simba's Pride).
Another cub[]
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After the "He Lives In You" sequence, Rafiki paints a picture of Kiara on the trunk of his tree, next to his painting of Simba, and comments happily on the security of the pride's future. However, Mufasa's spirit ruffles Rafiki's mane and messes up his paintings. Through this, Rafiki discovers the existence of another cub in the Outlands. Initially, he accuses Mufasa of breaking the circle, but then, he sees the new cub as trouble. We later learn that the cub is Kovu, an Outsider.
Kovu's termite[]
| “ | Zira: Kovu! Don't let it go! What's the matter with you? Kovu: But, Mother, he wasn't hurting anyone! Zira: There is no room here for weakness, my son. Remember...Scar took you in and accepted you as his own son.
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In early drafts, Kovu is trained to hunt and kill termites so as to sharpen his hunting skills. Kovu, however, sees no point in harming the insect, as it did nothing to him, and lets it go. Zira reprimands Kovu for this and reminds him that Scar had taken him in as a son and chosen him to be the next king. Her mood elevates into a bitter rage as she laments that the Outsiders live in the Outlands.
Nuka and Vitani's news[]
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This deleted scene comes directly after Zira kills Kovu's termite. Nuka and Vitani, having finished their spying in the Pride Lands, report to Zira that Simba's cub is a girl. Zira laughs and remarks that the situation "couldn't be more perfect." She begins talking to Scar, which confuses Nuka, and Vitani explains that Scar is dead. This causes Zira to devolve into rage and blame Simba for Scar's demise, asserting that, if not for him, Scar would still be the king, and Zira would be his queen. Nuka requests to be the next king, since he is the oldest, but Zira reminds him that Kovu is the Chosen One.
Though this scene was cut, it was recycled in the Mouse Works book inspired by the film.[17]
Zira's promise[]
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After Nuka and Vitani's report, Zira climbs up on a rock point to gaze out over the Pride Lands with her children. She marvels at how green and inviting it looks and informs her children that they truly belong there. She then makes a promise to Scar that she and her pride will reclaim his kingdom someday.
Zira returns to the Outlands[]
In the original version of this scene, Nuka does not complain about the lack of blood relation between Kovu and Scar.
Kiara's first hunt[]
During early production of the film, more lionesses compliment Nala and Kiara before Kiara's first hunt.
Nuka's death[]
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After Nuka is crushed by logs, he asks Zira if he has finally gotten her attention. Zira smiles down at him and cradles his head in her paw as he murmurs a final, "Didn't I?"
Kovu's exile[]
In this version of Kovu's exile, the animals more openly mock and insult Kovu, and they further encourage Simba's passing of judgement on him. Kiara is also seen crying when the screen fades to her as Kovu flees the Pride Lands.
Kovu and Kiara reunite[]
While searching for Kovu, Kiara looks down at her reflection in a pool of water. Originally, it was a full reflection rather than the half that is shown in the final version of the film. Additionally, Kiara smiles when Kovu suggests they run away.
Kovu and Kiara decide to return[]
| “ | Kiara: Our place is with our pride. If we run away, they'll be divided forever. Kovu: Race ya back!
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Originally, after Kiara suggested that they reunite their prides, Kovu challenged her to a race back to the Pride Lands. The two then ran off, laughing.
Zira's suicide[]
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As Zira dangles from a cliff over a river, Kiara offers her help, but Zira swipes angrily at Kiara's offered paw. Kiara once again offers Zira help, but Zira glances down at the river, turns back to Kiara with a twisted grin, and vocally refuses her help. She then lets go of her own accord and falls to her death in the river below, to Kiara's horror. Even though Zira's suicidal actions were removed, she can still be seen smiling as she falls into the river in the final cut of the film.[18]
The union of the Outsiders and Simba's pride[]
The scene where Kovu mourns Zira's death is not included in early versions of the film. Kiara also does not say, "I tried," when Simba rescues her.
Post-credits[]
| “ | Pumbaa: Hakuna Matata! Timon: Outlands, Shmoutlands. This place is better than Disneyland!
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Original songs[]
"King of the Hill"[]
"King of the Hill" was a song from early drafts of the sequel. It would have occurred during Shani's presentation.[5]
"Daddy's Little Girl"[]
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Shortly after Shani's birth, Nala sings a lullaby to the newborn cub. In some early drafts, Simba is the one who sings the song the lullaby to Shani.[19]
"My Lullaby"[]
Zira's lullaby to Kovu was originally more calm and somber, with a piano accompaniment throughout the entire song. Zira's singing was also different than how it is in the finalized version.
"Rumble Song"[]
Production notes mention there being a "rumble song" during early development of the sequel.[4]
"One of Us"[]
At the beginning of this version of "One of Us", many animals support the banishment of Kovu. In addition, the song is lighter and played more on the piano.
"One of Us (reprise)"[]
Early drafts included a reprise of "One of Us" in which the hyenas attempted to persuade Kovu to do their bidding because he was the son of Scar.
"Love Will Find a Way"[]
Much like the aforementioned songs, "Love Will Find a Way" was originally supposed to be a piano uplift before it was changed to its finalized version.
"My Own Mark"[]
In early drafts, Kiara sang "My Own Mark", during which she expressed a desire to be more than just Simba's daughter. During the song, she would make many paw prints, only for them to get washed away.[9]
Deleted lines[]
Pumbaa[]
Pumbaa says, "Low-fat!" during his argument with Timon about grubs.
Kovu[]
While running from the crocodiles, Kovu tells Kiara, "You gotta take care of yourself!" This line was replaced with the line, "I'll distract them. Run!"
While discussing the Great Kings of the Past with Kiara, Kovu asks about Scar, saying, "No one here thinks he's very great...do they?" Despite the line's deletion, it was recycled in the comic version of Simba's Pride.[20]
Timon[]
Timon was supposed to say, "Somebody's gotta tie a boomerang around her neck!" after Kiara runs away from the Pride Lands. In the final version of the film, the line is replaced with "Somebody's gotta get a beeper for this kid!"
Originally, Timon said, "Pumbaa, stop living in the past! This is the sequel. We need a new motto!" to Pumbaa during the battle with the Outsiders.
Kiara[]
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During the battle between the Outsiders and Simba's pride, Kiara asks Simba if the Outsiders are not also part of the Circle of Life.
Voice talents[]
Kiara[]
Before Neve Campbell was selected to voice Kiara, Jennifer Aniston and Sarah Jessica Parker were in talks to voice her.[21]
Binti[]
In an archived article from the San Antonio Express, it was reported that actress Jane Leeves was slated to voice Binti.[10]
Zira[]
In Episode 116 of the second season of The Rosie O'Donnell Show, actress Kathleen Turner disclosed that she was voicing Zira, with "My Lullaby" being her singing debut. She was ultimately replaced by Suzanne Pleshette.[22]
Production notes[]
Workprint[]
The VHS workprint version of Simba's Pride contained many similarities to the finalized version, with some differences, most notably being in dialogue, sequence, as well as some alternative or deleted scenes. For the full movie of the workprint, see here.
Media[]
References[]
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