[Here is some artwork of “YOUNG SIMBA” for example.]
Do you know who else was considered to play “SCAR”? And do you know how the voices of “TIMON AND PUMBAA” got their respective parts?
It's hard to imagine anyone's voice coming out of “SCAR’S” mouth besides JEREMY IRONS’. The ACTOR’S award-winning performance as the menacing, scornful brother of “MUFASA” [Voiced by the late JAMES EARL JONES - JANUARY 17, 1931 – SEPTEMBER 9, 2024] who wouldn't stop at anything — not even murdering his own kin — to become the ruler of “PRIDE ROCK” is a roaring achievement. It's as chilling as it is deliciously evil. IRONS’ silver tongue and his SHAKESPEAREAN gravitas turned the malicious LION into arguably one of the best villains in DISNEY’S long history of outstanding miscreants. Even in the thespian's prestigious and celebrated career, “SCAR” remains one of his most iconic roles. Alas, in another world, he might not have gotten the part. As THOMAS S. HISCHAK revealed in his book, “DISNEY VOICE ACTORS: A BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY”, TIM CURRY and MALCOLM McDOWELL were both "seriously considered" to voice “SCAR”. While both of those actors would've likely done great work in the part, DIRECTORS ROB MINKOFF and ROGER ALLERS picked IRONS because of "his classical THEATRE training," wanting IRONS to play “SCAR” as "a SHAKESPEAREAN character." Indeed, IRONS plays the part with both a snarl and a sneer. It's playful, but that sportive attitude never undermines the viciousness of its intent. While McDOWELL and CURRY are both wonderful ACTORS, THE DIRECTORS made the right call with IRONS. He nailed the character perfectly, providing one of the most fabulous villain performances in ANIMATION history. Likewise, it's hard to imagine anyone but NATHAN LANE’S and ERNIE SABELLA’S voices coming out of the mouths of “TIMON” and “PUMBAA”, respectively. This scene-stealing pair of social outcasts are a reliable comic relief duo, providing lots of irreverent glee and cheeky mischief to the animated family film — notably after its darkest moment. Their boisterous chemistry and rambunctious free spirits are richly indebted to these charismatic and charming voice PERFORMERS, and it wouldn't be the same movie without them playing these memorable personalities. Which is why it's surprising to know that initially, DISNEY didn't have them in mind for these characters. In particular, LANE was sought for a number of side characters before he became “TIMON”. As LANE revealed in a conversation with MATHEW BRODERICK [The voice of “ADULT SIMBA] and EXECUTIVE PRODUCER THOMAS SCHUMACHER, he was originally sought to voice “ZAZU” [ROWAN ATKINSON], though this idea was ultimately short-lived. Later, LANE auditioned to voice one of the HYENAS [WHOOPI GOLDBERG - “SHENZI”, CHEECH MARIN - “BANZAI” and JIM CUMMINGS - “ED”], and he asked if SABELLA could join him for the read-through. Sure enough, in that audition, the filmmakers realized these immensely talented PERFORMERS were perfect together — albeit for two very different characters. And the rest is history.
