was to be shown as both a child and as an adult, the production team realized that they would need two actors to play the role. Enter Jonathan Taylor Thomas as young Simba, and Matthew Broderick as adult Simba. Other actors cast included James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Whoopi Goldberg, Moira Kelly, Rowan Atkinson, Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Cheech Marin, Robert Guillaume, and Madge Sinclair, amongst others.

(TRIVIA: Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella originally auditioned for the roles of Zazu and a hyena respectively, but producers were so impressed by their chemistry together when they auditioned together that they ended up winning the roles of Timon and Pumbaa. And, when Cheech Marin won the role of one of the hyenas, his longtime comedic partner, Tommy Chong was asked toplay the other hyena. Unfortunately, Tommy Chong was unavailable, so the role went to Whoopi Goldberg instead. The things you learn from DVD and video commentaries, eh?)

The project was finished in early 1994, and was released in theaters that June. And the rest as we say is history.

In “The Lion King”, the first scenes we see are of a group of animals gathering around Pride Rock, somewhere in the African savannah. It's a very special day at Pride Rock, for it is the day that the lion king and queen are about to become parents. Mufasa and Sarabi proudly show off their newborn son, Simba to the animals down below, and there is much celebration and joy to be seen. After all, Simba has become the heir to