The Lion King - Michael Jackson connection...

[Angelica Gracey]

I didn't know where to post this - so I'm doing it here (please move it to where it's supposed to be if need be!), sorry if it's the wrong place...

Ok here goes: When I went to see the movie Beauty & the Beast I remember seeing a teaser (preview) for a new Disney movie called The Lion King, all they showed at this point was the animals all going toward the cliff, and the lion cub being lifted up, music was kind of tribal, drums/percussion, and then coming soon. Nothing unusual there, but I remember that the ad said music by Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson, I thought cool, that's going to be interesting. So I was shocked when the movie did come out and music was by Elton John (love him!) and Tim Rice.

Does anyone else remember that Quincy Jones & Michael Jackson were supposed to do the music?

I assume Jackson was taken off of the project due to the allegations that were thrust upon him at the time. I guess Disney decided it wouldn't be good to have someone with such allegations, working on a children's film. Anyone remember, or am I crazier than I think? Thanks!

[Disney Wrassler]

I thought his allogations were pushed on him a few years before the film was released. I wish I could answer your question though. Sorry.

[Angelica Gracey]

The first allegations were in 1993. Enough time to get new music for the film...

[rihard2000]

Interesting, I've never heard anything about a MJ connection to the Lion King. I'm interested to see what this thread turns up.

I did come across an interesting site going into the animation rip-off conspiracy behind the Lion King story. There's some shocking reading at this site.

[jurgenb52]

Didn't see any connection to Quincy or Jackson but thought some of these were interesting bits of trivia nonetheless http://imdb.com/title/tt0110357/trivia

[Disney Wrassler]

I liked the Hamlet/Lion King comparison and never noticed how similar they are until now.

[almandot]

That hamlet thing was our excuse we gave substitute teachers in 7th grade english for why we should watch the lion king =D We're studying hamlet...the teacher wants us to watch this...really!

[Evan]

I thought this was going to be a thread about a pop star dangling a baby over a balcony. Well, in Lion King's case, a baboon holding a lion cub over a huge drop.

[Tinkerbell]

Hmm, good question! I know who to ask though! Get back to ya on that one!

[Professortango]

A little off topic. I remember going to the Disney Animation building in MGM while they were animating Mulan. The preview they showed us there had Robin Williams as Mushu. Does anybody know what happened?

[drnilescrane]

Disney theoreticly left of a zero on his paycheck. (I'm Serious)

They made it up with a Picasso.

[Gemini Cricket]

The only thing I could find was that the Jason Weaver, singing voice for young Simba, played a young Michael Jackson in VH-1's "Jacksons: An American Dream".

???

[Goin2DL]

Originally Posted by Professortango

A little off topic. I remember going to the Disney Animation building in MGM while they were animating Mulan. The preview they showed us there had Robin Williams as Mushu. Does anybody know what happened?

Oh thank goodness that changed!!

[Tinkerbell]

Okay, I found out...
It seemed what Angelica Gracey remembers was true. Only due to some conflicts, as far as Disney being a bit too controlling and not allowing as much creative freedom as was necessary, it just didn't work out.

[Angelica Gracey]

Tinkerbell, what was your source on this? My husband and I both scoured the web trying to find something, but came up empty. We were amazed that we couldn't find one piece linking the two (Lion King/Jackson) together? The reason you give is quite plausible. Thanks Tinkerbell!