First, you will want to know a little about these guys who spoke with us about the process of bringing The Lion King to the big screen, and what it has been like since!
Director Rob Minkoff (below left) began his career at the Walt Disney Studios in the Animation Department as a Character Designer, Animator and Story Artist, working on such seminal films as THE LITTLE MERMAID and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Rob made his feature directorial debut with Disney’s Academy Award winning THE LION KING. Rob was with Disney for 12 years before moving on to explore the world of Live-Action with Columbia Pictures’ STUART LITTLE 1&2. In 2007 Rob traveled to China to direct the Martial Arts Action-Adventure, THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM, featuring Chinese superstars Jackie Chan & Jet Li. Rob then returned to animation for the 3D CGI MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN. Rob is currently producing an all-new Animated Feature, BLAZING SAMURAI, based on Mel Brooks’ classic, BLAZING SADDLES. The film stars Michael Cera, Samuel L. Jackson and Ricky Gervais.
Don Hahn (above right) is the producer of the worldwide phenomenon “The Lion King” and the classic “Beauty and the Beast,” the first animated film nominated for a Best Picture Oscar®. He is a founder and Executive Producer of the acclaimed Disneynature Films “Earth,” “Oceans,” “African Cats” and “Chimpanzee” and most recently Executive Producer of “Maleficent” and the live-action “Beauty and the Beast.” Don began his career in film as assistant director to legendary Producer Director Wolfgang Reitherman (“The Jungle Book,” “One Hundred and One Dalmatians”). He was Associate Producer of the landmark hit “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”. His other credits include “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “Atlantis: The Lost Empire,” “Fantasia/2000,” and “The Emperor’s New Groove.” As an author, Don’s books on animation, art and creativity include the best seller “Brain Storm,” the acclaimed educational series “Drawn To Life,” and “Before Ever After: The Lost Lectures of Disney’s Animation Studio.” His most recent documentary, “The Gamble House,” was just presented at the Newport Beach Film Festival and will air on PBS SoCal on June 22nd. Don has two Honorary Doctorate Degrees in the arts, and also serves on the Advisory Board for the Walt Disney Family Museum and on the Board of Directors of PBS SoCal.
Spoiler alert, I ran into these guys after the group interviews and asked if they were tired about speaking about The Lion King, especially since it has been 23 years since its initial theatrical release. I received a resounding “NO” from both of them, they said they were thrilled that they were part of cinematic history and hoped that this conversation would never stop! That energy was reflected in the interviews we had just participated in, and at the panel discussion a few weeks earlier at the D23 Expo where I first met these amazing guys!
Our interviews started with a conversation about the old days. They were quite nervous back then as they were following Beauty and the Beast and the Little Mermaid with this original, unknown film. They shared that they were just trying to get the job done right by producing something that was satisfying, emotional, and funny. Never thinking that tit would become a classic that we would be talking about 23 years later!
Rob was inspired by the early animated Disney movies and went to Cal Arts, the place to go if you were interested in working in animation for Disney. And by the time The Lion King project was starting, a lot of the original and hugely talented Disney animators had retired, so with a hugely high bar, this team wanted to really drive the art forward and keep improving it. The fact that the movie holds up so well to audiences today is testament to the fact that they succeeded!
I loved hearing how the process worked in those days, the entire Disney staff would preview a film and give their opinions, driving everyone on the film to try harder and harder to put forth the best possible product! They shared how LA basketball coach Pat Riley was at a retreat and they were talking about how to get the most out of your “players:” How do you get the team to play at its peak? How do you get these champions? And remember, he talked about Magic Johnson. And he said Matt, there was no more generous player than Magic Johnson. He said Magic Johnson was the best player on the court, no doubt, no… But he was constantly passing the ball. To his teammates, ’cause he wanted them to be just as good as him. So that really allowed, I think the studio to progress over a pretty short period of time, kind of 10 years, kinda make it better and better and better.
The guys shared several stories with us, detailing how different parts of the movie came together. One of the art directors found a piece of music that they realized would be perfect for the Mufasa’s ghost scene. They presented the story boards with that music, and in color, something that you never did in the early part of the process, and it went over very successfully. And then their music director said I know what you want, do not buy that song, and came up with the perfect music!
I loved when they talked about the original pitch for the movie, they described it as a bit like Bambi in Africa! It was a story about growing up, and the effect a father has, whether there in person or in spirit. And they got the ultimate father figure, James Earl Jones! And not because he was Darth Vader!
We also spoke about all the Lion King productions that have since been made. The guys shared it was like watching your baby grow up and go to college. There is a TV show, a Broadway play, and next a live action movie. They had mixed emotions watching their baby move forward! Their little movie which was originally considered B level movie because it was original and not based on a fairy tale like the animated movies that Disney had done before.
This is a family movie and a movie that gives parents a way to talk about death with their kids. You see it and you deal with it, rather than hide that action behind a tree.
Lastly, I loved the way the guys talked about how they had to sell this movie to their bosses! Everyone had to participate. Every one had to take a role, maybe sing, and be creative. And thankfully they did because they ended up creating a classic, something they could not have imagined at the time!
Check out Rob introducing us to the behind the scenes of Hakuna Matata:
And as always, our celebrity pictures with these two amazing guys, Rob and Don!
The Lion King is the fifth and newest addition to the Walt Disney Signature Collection and releases Tuesday, August 29!
Disclosure: Disney invited me on this press trip and paid all of my expenses. No other compensation was received. All opinions are always 100% my own and honest.
Such an incredible moment getting to meet them! Ps. They loved you!