Interestingly, the 1994 animated Disney classic we all know and love as The Lion King initially went by a different name: King of the Jungle.
According to Irene Mecchi, one of the screenwriters, The Lion King may have drawn inspiration from Shakespeare's Hamlet. She revealed that the idea for The Lion King was initially presented to her as “Hamlet in Africa with Bambi thrown in,” playfully coining it “Bamblet.”
In the creative process of bringing The Lion King to life, the animators were given a rare and valuable opportunity to study real African animals up close.
This talented group of artists not only rose to the occasion but absolutely hit it out of the park. Moreover, their success is a heartwarming reminder that passion, creativity, and teamwork can lead to unexpected and remarkable achievements.
Disney paid a beautiful homage to the Swahili language in The Lion King, drawing inspiration from the rich linguistic traditions of the East African coast.