Disney exec proposes ‘The Lion King’ films as a Star Wars-style franchise

In a bold statement, Sean Bailey, a prominent Disney executive, has expressed his belief that the Lion King movies could potentially evolve into a sprawling and expansive franchise akin to the monumental success of Star Wars. Bailey, who has held the position of president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production since 2010, has been at the forefront of overseeing the company’s highly lucrative live-action remakes. Notable triumphs under his leadership include the billion-dollar box office hits Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin, along with the recent release of The Little Mermaid, which is on track to surpass the coveted $1 billion milestone.

However, it is the photorealistic adaptation of The Lion King, which roared into theaters in 2019, that stands out among the rest. Guided by Bailey’s expertise, the film generated a staggering $1.7 billion in global box office revenue, prompting Disney to greenlight a follow-up film. This forthcoming installment, entitled Mufasa: The Lion King, will delve into the origins of Simba’s father and explore his intricate relationship with his conniving brother Scar. While it remains to be seen if the new film will achieve the same levels of triumph as its predecessor, the potential for further expansion within the photorealistic Lion King universe appears promising.

Speaking to the New York Times, Bailey elaborated on his vision for the Lion King franchise, emphasizing that there is ample opportunity for growth if compelling narratives can be found. He even suggested that it could evolve into a sprawling and immersive “big, epic saga,” echoing the massive scale and enduring legacy of the Star Wars universe. However, he acknowledged that matching the vastness of Star Wars would be a significant challenge for any franchise. Bailey believes that by exploring the lives of other creatures within the animal kingdom of the Lion King world, beyond the scope of lions alone, there is an abundance of potential stories to be told and a vast cinematic universe waiting to be explored as long as audiences continue to demonstrate their enthusiasm by investing in these films.

While eager fans await the release of Mufasa: The Lion King, which features the vocal talents of Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Mufasa and Scar respectively, along with the return of beloved characters Timon and Pumbaa voiced by Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen, and John Kani reprising his role as Rafiki, it will be a crucial turning point in determining the trajectory of the Lion King franchise. Under the direction of Barry Jenkins, with a screenplay by Jeff Nathanson, the film’s performance will likely shape the future extent of this potential cinematic universe.

Taking a retrospective glance, the Lion King franchise has a rich history dating back to the release of the animated movie in 1994. Subsequently, it spawned direct-to-video sequels, such as The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride in 1998 and The Lion King 1 1/2 in 2004. Furthermore, fan-favorite characters Timon and Pumbaa were awarded their own animated series during the 90s, and in 2016, the franchise expanded further with the introduction of The Lion Guard, an animated series that followed the events of the TV movie The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar.

With Mufasa: The Lion King poised to hit theaters on July 5, 2024, Disney enthusiasts eagerly await the unveiling of this prequel and the potential it holds for catapulting the Lion King franchise into new heights, where it could potentially rival the magnitude of the beloved Star Wars saga.

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