Celebration of An Animated Classic Lion King D23 Expo Panel Recap

Celebration of An Animated Classic Lion King D23 Expo Panel Recap

We had quite a few unique experiences when attending D23 Expo earlier this summer. I’ve shared about a few and today I’m sharing about the Lion King Panel that was simply amazing. Just in case you haven’t heard there will be a live-action Lion King releasing soon. I’m so excited to see this movie come to life in a whole new way.

We learned so much information from the Lion King Panel that morning. Can you imagine that the film was originally projected to be a small project? The Lion King producer Don Hahn facilitated the panel, telling us that they had a hard time finding people to work on the film. While the studio only expected the film to make about $50 million, it doubled that figure in the opening week only.

Guests of the panel were treated to so many special surprises including newly inducted Disney Legend Whoppi Goldberg to talk about her role as Shenzi. When asked to share how she got involved her response was she begged. You can see part of that footage above.

Rare footage of Whoppi recording in the booth for #LionKing #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/AjW7uexmsl

— Nickida Stephens (@nostephens) July 16, 2017

It looks like she had an amazing time making the film. Ernie Sabella talked about his character Pumba and even sang for us. They also shared a fun fact with us. The Lion King’s Pumba was the first Disney character to have gas.

While the whole panel was simply amazing and we learned so much about this incredible classic, my favorite part had to be the ending.

I haven’t found a video that did this performance justice but it was simply amazing. Everyone in attendance was standing by the end of the song.

Audiences will fall in love all over again with the treasured classic, and a new generation of fans will laugh with Timon and Pumbaa, cry with Simba and Mufasa, burst into song, and find their place in the “Circle of Life.” The Walt Disney Signature Collection release includes over three hours of classic bonus material and exclusive, brand new features inviting viewers to sing along with the film’s award-winning music, observe recording sessions, step inside the story room, witness the evolution of a villain, and join Nathan Lane (voice of Timon) and Matthew Broderick (voice of Adult Simba) for an extended conversation regarding the legacy of “The Lion King.”

“The Lion King” follows the adventures of Simba, a feisty lion cub who cannot wait to be king, as he searches for his destiny in the great “Circle of Life.” The film earned a Golden Globe® for Best Motion Picture—Comedy or Musical and inspired a Tony Award®-winning Broadway musical that is currently the third longest-running musical in Broadway history. In 2019, a reimagined live-action film, helmed by Jon Favreau, will delight audiences with the thrilling retelling of the original tale utilizing groundbreaking technological advances—as only Disney can do.