Legend of the Lion King Script

African music plays, and the stage is lighted to reveal Rafiki, sleeping and snoring in his tree.

Rafiki: Zzzzzzzzzz ... <snort!> ... What? Oh. <notices the audience> Who are you? What are you doing here?
<sniffs> Oh! I know that smell anywhere. Homo sapiens. <chuckles> Well, no matter! After all, nobody's
perfect. Hmmmm ... Every one of us is connected in the great circle of life So, welcome, cool off, rrrrrrrelax. It's
a jungle out there. Now pay close attention. Come, come, for old Rafiki has a tale to tell you. It is the story of
Simba. You see, Simba was the brave little lion cub who was destined to become the lion king. His father, King
Mufasa, taught him well, to understand the balance of nature and to respect all creatures in the circle of life. But
something terrible happened! Oh no, no, no, I'm getting ahead of myself. Always do that. <chuckles> Let me
start at the beginning. Ohhh, the winds of change. Ahhh, change is good. Asante sana, squash banana. We we
nugu, mi mi apana! <translation: Thank you very much, squash banana. You're a baboon, and I'm not!>
<laughs> It is time. <stage goes dark>

The entire opening sequence of "The Lion King" (the presentation of Simba) is now shown, complete with the
song "The Circle of Life."

Song:
Nants ingonyama bagithi baba

Sithi uhhmm ingonyama

Nants ingonyama bagithi baba

Sithi uhhmm ingonyama

Ingonyama

Ingonyama nengw' enamabaal (it's a lion and a tiger)

[repeats 5]

Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (se-to-kwa!)

Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (asana)

From the day we arrive on the planet

 And, blinking, step into the sun

There's more to see than can ever be seen

More to do than can ever be done

There's far too much to take in here

More to find than can ever be found

But the sun rolling high

Through the sapphire sky

Keeps great and small on the endless round

It's the circle of life

And it moves us all

Through despair and hope

Through faith and love

Till we find our place

On the path unwinding

In the circle

The circle of life

Mufasa and young Simba look over the Pridelands.

Mufasa: Look, Simba. Everything the light touches is our kingdom.

Simba: <quietly, but with awe> Wow.

Mufasa: A king's time as ruler rises and falls like the sun. One day, Simba, the sun will set on my time here, and
will rise with you as the new king.

Simba: And this'll all be mine?

 Mufasa: Everything.

Simba: Dad? We'll always be together, right?

Mufasa: Simba, let me tell you something that my father told me. Look at the stars. The great kings of the past
look down on us from those stars.

Simba: Really?

Mufasa: Yes. So whenever you feel alone, just remember that those kings will always be there to guide you ...
and so will I.

Scene ends, and a new scene begins, as young Simba and Nala play and laugh together, while Zazu looks on.

Zazu: Just look at you two. Little seeds of romance blossoming in the savanna. One day, you two are going to
be married!

Nala: Eeew!

Simba: I can't marry her. She's my friend.

Nala: It'd be too weird.

Zazu: Sorry to burst your bubble, but it's a tradition going back generations.

Simba: Well, when I'm king, that'll be the first thing to go.

Simba sings:
I'm gonna be a mighty king
So enemies beware!

Zazu:
Well, I've never seen a king of beasts
With quite so little hair

Simba:
I'm gonna be the mane event
Like no king was before
I'm brushing up on looking down
I'm working on my roar

Zazu:
Thus far, a rather uninspiring thing

Simba:
 Oh, I just can't wait to be king!

Zazu:
Simba: No one saying do this Now when I said that--

Nala: No one saying be there What I meant was--

Simba: No one saying stop that What you don't realize--

Simba: No one saying see here Now see here!

Simba: Free to run around all day That's definitely out--

Simba: Free to do it all my way!

Zazu:

I think it's time that you and I

Arranged a heart-to-heart

Simba:

Kings don't need advice

From little hornbills for a start

If this is where the monarchy is headed

Count me out

Out of service, out of Africa

I wouldn't hang about

This child is getting wildly out of wing

Simba:

Oh, I just cant wait to be king

Everybody look left
Everybody look right
Everywhere you look I' m
 Standing in the spotlight

Zazu:
Not yet!

Chorus:
Let every creature go for broke and sing
Let's hear it in the herd and on the wing
It's gonna be King Simba's finest fling

Simba:
Oh, I just can't wait to be king!
Oh, I just can't wait to be king!
Oh, I just can't wait to be king!

Scene ends.

Rafiki: Simba thought the future would be filled with only good things. <laughs> He believed it would be fun
to be king! <laughs> Pretty naive, huh? For you see, whenever there is power, there is always someone who
wants to take it away. Case in point: Uncle Scar!

Scar appears on the left side of the stage.

Scar: I was first in line ... until the little hairball was born.

Rafiki: But Scar wouldn't give up so easily, so he entered into an unholy alliance with the laughing stock of the
kingdom, the hyenas!

The three hyenas (Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed) appear as steam erupts from the stage.

Scar:
I never thought hyenas essential
They're crude and unspeakably plain
But maybe they've a glimmer of potential
If allied to my vision and brain

I know that your powers of retention

Are as wet as a warthog's backside
But thick as you are, pay attention
My words are a matter of pride

It's clear from your vacant expressions

The lights are not all on upstairs
But we're talking kings and successions
Even you can't be caught unawares

So prepare for a chance of a lifetime

Be prepared for sensational news
 A shining new era
Is tiptoeing nearer

And where do we feature?

Just listen to teacher

I know it sounds sordid
But you'll be rewarded
When at last I am given my dues!
And injustice deliciously squared
Be prepared!

Banzai: Yeah, be prepared. <laughs> We'll be prepared. For what?

Scar: For the death of the king.

Banzai: Why? Is he sick?

Scar: No, fool, we're gonna kill him. And Simba, too.

Banzai: Great idea! Who needs a king?

Three Hyenas: <chant> No king, no king, la la la la la la ...

Scar: Idiots! There will be a king!

Banzai: Hey, but you said -

Scar: I will be king! Stick with me, and you'll never go hungry again!

The hyenas cheer.

Scar:
So prepare for the coup of the century
Be prepared for the murkiest scam
Meticulous planning
Tenacity spanning
Decades of denial
Is simply why I'll
Be king undisputed
Respected, saluted
And seen for the wonder I am

Yes, my teeth and ambitions are bared

Be prepared!
 Yes, my teeth and ambitions are bared
Be prepared! <laughs wickedly>

The scene changes to Scar and Simba alone in the gorge.

Scar: Now you wait here. Your father has a marvelous surprise for you.

Simba: Hey Uncle Scar, will I like the surprise?

Scar: Simba, it's to die for. Ooh, and just between us, you might want to work on that little roar of yours, hmm?
<Scar leaves>

Simba: <scornfully> Little roar ... puh! <growls and then roars loudly>

The wildebeest begin stampeding over the cliff toward Simba. This, and much of the balance of this scene, up to
Mufasa's death, is shown on a screen behind Simba, and is taken directly from the film.

Scar: Mufasa! Quick! Stampede in the gorge. Simba's down there!

Mufasa: Simba?

Zazu: Your father is on the way! Hold on!

Simba: Hurry!

Mufasa: Scar! Brother, help me.

Scar: Long live the king. <pushes Mufasa off the edge of the cliff>

Simba: Noooooooooo! <coughs> Daaaaaad! <sees Mufasa's lifeless body> Dad? Dad? Dad, come on. Ya gotta
get up. We gotta go home. <cries>

Scar: Simba, what've you done?

Simba: <tearfully>There were wildebeest, and - he tried to save me. It was an accident. I - I didn't mean for it
to happen.

Scar: Oh, of course you didn't. No one ever means for these things to happen. But the king is dead. And if it
weren't for you, he'd still be alive.

Simba: What am I gonna do?

Scar: Run away, Simba. Run away and never return.

Rafiki: So Simba ran far away, escaping from the past. But like I always say, you can run, but you can't hide ...
 from yourself.

The scene changes to show Timon and Pumbaa discovering Simba in the desert.

Timon: All righty. Whadda we got here? Jeez, it's a lion! Run, Pumbaa! Move it!

Pumbaa: He's so cute and all alone. Can we keep him?

Timon: Lions eat guys like us!

Pumbaa: But he's so little.

Timon: Who's the brains of this outfit?

Pumbaa: Uhhhhhh ...

Timon: My point exactly. Ya know, having a lion around might not be such a bad idea. <Simba stirs> You
okay, kid?

Simba: I guess so.

Timon: Hey, where ya goin'?

Simba: Nowhere.

Timon: Gee, he looks blue.

Pumbaa: I'd say brownish-gold.

Timon: No, no, no. I mean he's depressed.

Pumbaa: Oh. Kid, what's eatin' ya?

Timon: Nothin'. He's at the top of the food chain. <laughs> The food chain! <laughs> Ahem! So, where ya
from?

Pumbaa: Anything we can do?

Simba: Not unless you can change the past.

Timon: Look, kid, bad things happen, and you can't do anything about it, right?

Simba: Right.

Timon: Wrong! When the world turns its back on you, you turn your back on the world! Repeat after me.
 <clears throat> Hakuna Matata.

Simba: What?

Pumbaa: Ha-ku-na Ma-ta-ta. It means "no worries."

Timon:
Hakuna Matata!
What a wonderful phrase

Pumbaa:
Hakuna Matata!
Ain't no passing craze

Timon:
It means no worries
For the rest of your days

Timon and Pumbaa:

It's our problem-free philosophy

Timon:
Hakuna Matata!

Pumbaa: <buuuuuuurp!> I'm starved!

Simba: I'm so hungry I could eat a whole zebra.

Timon: <nervously> Listen, kid, if you live with us, you have to eat like us. Hey, this looks like a good spot to
rustle up some grub!

Simba: Eeeew! What's that.

Timon: A grub. What's it look like?

Simba: Eeeew, gross.

Timon: <eating the grub> Mmmm, tastes like chicken.

Pumbaa: Slimy yet satisfying. You'll learn to love 'em!

Timon: I'm telling ya, kid, this is a great life. No rules, no responsibilities. Oooh! The little cream-filled kind.
And best of all, no worries. Well, kid?
 Simba: Oh well, Hakuna Matata.

Timon: That's it.

Simba:
It means no worries
For the rest of your days

All:
It's our problem-free philosophy!

Simba's age change is accomplished during this sequence, as he goes offstage as young Simba, and returns as
adult Simba.

Simba:
Hakuna Matata!

Pumbaa and Timon:

Hakuna, hakuna, hakuna ...

Simba:
Hakuna Matata!

Pumbaa and Timon:

Hakuna Matata, Hakuna Matata ...

Simba:
Hakuna Matata!
Ha-kuuuuuuu-na Matata!

Rafiki: Simba grew up in this happy bachelor life, eating bugs and grubs, until one day, his childhood friend
Nala showed up. And then the sparks of romance began to fly. <laughs>

Nala:
He's holding back, he's hiding
But what, I can't decide
Why won't he be the king I know he is
The king I see inside?

Chorus:
Can you feel the love tonight?
You needn't look too far
Stealing through the night's uncertainties
Love is where they are
 Timon:
And if he falls in love tonight
It can be assumed

Pumbaa:
His carefree days with us are history

Timon and Pumbaa:

In short, our pal is doomed Timon:

I can see what's happening

Pumbaa: (spoken)

What?

Timon:

And they don't have a clue

Pumbaa: (spoken)

Who?

Timon:

They'll fall in love and here's the bottom line

Our trio's down to two

Pumbaa: (spoken)

Oh.
 Timon:

Ze sweet caress of twilight

There's magic everywhere

And with all this romantic atmosphere

Disaster's in the air

Chorus:

Can you feel the love tonight

(Lalela thuli) Listen to this quiet person.

The peace the evening brings

(Lalela thuli) Listen to this quiet person.

The world, for once, in perfect harmony

(Lalela thuli) Listen to this quiet person.

With all its living things

(Lalela lelando/lelandu we) Hey, listen to this history!

Simba:

So many things to tell her

But how to make her see

The truth about my past? Impossible!

She'd turn away from me

 Nala:

He's holding back, he's hiding

But what, I can't decide

Why won't he be the king I know he is

The king I see inside

(Repeat Chorus)

Can you feel the love tonight

(Lalela thuli) Listen to this quiet person.

You needn't look too far

(Lalela thuli) Listen to this quiet person.

Stealing through the night's uncertainties

Love is where they are

Timon:

And if he falls in love tonight

It can be assumed...

Pumbaa:

His carefree days with us are history

 Timon and Pumbaa:

In short, our pal is doomed

Nala:

And if he feels the love tonight

In the way I do

Simba:

It's enough for this restless wanderer...

Simba and Nala:

Just to be with you<they cry loudly>

End of scene

Rafiki: Asante sana, squash banana. We we nugu mi mi apana!

Simba: Who are you?

Rafiki: The question is, whooooooo are you?

Simba: I thought I knew. Now I'm not so sure.

Rafiki: Well, I know who you are. You're Mufasa's boy.

Simba: You knew my father?

Rafiki: Correction. I know your father. He's alive! And I'll show him to you. Look down there. <points down to
a pool of water>

Simba: <disappointed> That's not my father. It's just my reflection.

Rafiki: No. Look harder. You see, he lives in you.

Mufasa's image appears in the sky behind Simba.

 Mufasa: Simba ...

Simba: Father?

Mufasa: Simba, you have forgotten me.

Simba: No! How could I?

Mufasa: You have forgotten who you are, and so have forgotten me. Look inside yourself, Simba. You are more
than what you have become. You must take your place in the circle of life.

Simba: How can I go back? I'm not who I used to be.

Mufasa: Remember who you are. You are my son, and the one true king. Remember who you are ... <the
image begins to vanish>

Simba: No! Please! Don't leave me.

Mufasa: Remember ...

Simba: Father! Don't leave me.

Rafiki: So, Simba returned home, only to find the kingdom in ruins. And when he reached the border, he saw
how bad things had gotten, for under Scar's tyranny, the circle of life was thrown completely out of balance!

We see the ruined Pridelands and the battle between Simba and Scar onscreen.

Scar: And here's my little secret: I killed Mufasa!

Simba: Noooooo!

Simba triumphs over Scar.

Rafiki: It is time.

Mufasa's voice: Remember.

The final tableau shows the presentation of Simba and Nala's daughter, Kiara, just as at the end of the film.

Chorus:
Til we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle
The circle of life!