It’s been twenty years this month since The Lion King debuted, and the property will soon be made new again.
Come 2015, Disney Junior will air The Lion Guard, a new animated series starring Simba’s son, Kion. The Wall Street Journal Speakeasy reports Kion is part of a group of prideland protectors, known as the Lion Guard, who keep watch over the jungle.
Disney Junior general manager Nancy Katner states, “It’s kind of like The Lion King meets The Avengers,” and that the idea stems from the minds of herself and Disney CEO Bob Iger.
Following in the footsteps of Disney Junior mainstays Jake and the Never Land Pirates and Sofia the First, we’re likely to see special appearances by familiar Lion King faces as the series takes shape. Hyenas are already confirmed to be part of the action.
It is unknown at this time if The Lion Guard will align with or ignore the events of 1998’s The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride, which starred Simba’s *daughter* Kiara. It was once all the rage for Disney characters to be given children, a trend that has since grown out of style. The last time we saw that was with Wendy’s children, Jane and Danny, in 2002’s Return to Never Land.
The Lion Guard will debut November 2015 on Disney Junior and Disney Channel. Check out the Rotoscopers’ Lion King episode of the Animation Addicts podcast here.
What do you think of The Lion Guard? Do you hope Kion and Kiara are brother and sister? What other Disney films should have spinoff preschool programs?
