We all know there are very few sacred cows in pop culture and that proportion shrinks with popularity. So do not be too surprised that Disney has announced plans for a Lion King animated series.
The highly successful Lion King franchise is returning to television in November 2015 with an hour-long movie, followed in January with an episodic series. Targeted at the preschool market, The Lion Guard will tell the story of Kion, son of The Lion King‘s Simba, and his cohorts, as they protect the kingdom. The Wall Street Journal writes that the idea was dreamed up two years ago between Disney Junior general manager Nancy Kanter and Dsiney’s CEO Robert Iger.
It may sound like a tragedy, but it’s not unprecedented and apparently not bad for business either.
Several of Disney Junior’s successful programs, Ms. Kanter noted, have tied into the company’s “heritage,” including the Peter Pan spin-off “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” and young princess “Sofia the First,” who is taught by three fairies from “Sleeping Beauty.”
The article also reminds us that there was already a Timon and Pumbaa animated series, featuring Simba’s two much adored sidekicks. A series of toys is also being designed. But if there is to be fan outrage engulfing the Internet, it will be stoked by this one unfortunate quote from Kanter:
“It’s kind of like ‘The Lion King’ meets ‘The Avengers,’
I knew it. You won’t like Pumbaa when he’s angry.
Last Updated: June 11, 2014
