The Lion King
Updated March 3 , 2020 , by Zach Gass : living ’s not bonny , is it ? At least it ’s not for this mangey felid . The Lion King ’s Scar is one of Disney ’s most beloved and recognizable villains . With his luxurious opprobrious head of hair , sinister grinning , and titular facial feature , he endure his villainous title like a crown and is n’t afraid to show his claws .
For an quicken lion , Scar has a sketch that would make most villain covetous . He murdered his brother , cook his nephew , adopt over an total land , and had all his subjects under his claw . Not only that , but the lanky Leo the Lion has been featured in several musical composition of Disney media , a stage version , and even a 2019 remaking of the classic film . It just goes to show you that on-key malice never goes out of style .
To show our appreciation for the Loki of the Disney cosmos , we ’ve gathered together a sampling of the villain ’s history , screen employment , and other renowned feats and feature . Find out how Scar went from a rogue king of beasts of the outlands to the accrue business leader of Pride Rock as we look into the hellish felid ’s impressive career . Today , we ’re going to pay respect to our favorite mad monarch by explore a small fleck of his background . So be prepared as we look at 15 things about Scar .
A Familiar Face
We ’ve mention Jeremy Irons ’s performance as Scar many times , but we ’ve catch to give credit where deferred payment is due . branding iron brings his classical training and signature brand of evil delight to the role , but for the Disney animators , he did way more than that .
Like so many Disney interpreter actors before him , his coming into court and expressions carried over into the style and design for his type . The dour eyes , the hollow features , and even the beard Irons had at the time made it into Scar . How does that idiomatic expression about artistry imitating life go again ?
With a Little Help From His Friends
We ’ve bragged about Jeremy Irons ’s playacting skill in the role , but what about his more musical abilities ? " Be Prepared " is not just a villain song , it ’s Scar ’s hymn . So it bring in sense that Irons could deliver on performing his big number too , ripe ? Well … half veracious .
Though Irons carried the song utterly well , he could n’t strike that last verse . So , what did Disney do ? They asked thespian Jim Cummings , who play Ed in the film , to sate in and finish the song . The result is almost entirely unnoticeable , but one worth searching for in your next rewatch .
A Reasonable Redesign
When the live - natural process remake ofThe Lion Kingwas announced , the reply was more than divide . One reason was the redesigns of some of the character , Scar included . But there ’s valid reasoning behind the direction the filmmakers took .
The animated Scar has a black mane and almost caramel - colored orange fur . of course , a real - biography Leo of this colouration would not survive . The black mane , however , would be , just not on Scar . Darker manes are a sign of a healthy , active , and happier social lion , definitely not Scar material . Favreau ’s redesign fetch Scar to animation with more rude and stylized features .
Brotherly Beatdown
Say what you want about the remaking , but you ca n’t deny there ’s a slight more turmoil in Scar and Mufasa ’s family relationship with the 2019 update . It ’s somewhat elusive , but its quite possible that Mufasa is the one responsible for for Scar ’s namesake . That does n’t on the dot paint our favourite Leo dad in the best luminance .
Think about it , Scar instantly suppose he would n’t dream of challenging Mufasa AGAIN . Which imply that he earned his scar by fighting his brother . That also involve that Mufasa is the one who sacked him with the name Scar . Does that mean Mufasa is creditworthy for creating his own baddie ? You decide .
A Tragic Backstory
On the case of scrape and backstories , Disney modernize Scar ’s graphic symbol in a band of children ’s books serving as prequels to the original film . Mufasa ’s crony , Taka , was envious and resentful of his sidekick . So , he hatched a plot require an angry water buffalo and Mufasa ’s chagrin .
apparently , the idea did not go consort to architectural plan , result in Taka engender hurt and walking away with a familiar facial characteristic . He usurp the moniker , Scar , as a reminder of his failure . It should also be noted that his original name comes from the Swahili condition which mean to wish well or to want . Because he desire what his brother has .
Tyger Tyger
Though the concluding product was heavily inspire by Jeremy Irons , original conception for Scar come from another famous Disney baddie . pick up howThe Jungle Bookwas another Disney film involving a cast of talk animals , the animator took a few cues from the 1967 film . Scar ’s discriminative stimulus , however , was more of a reskin .
In construct artistic creation done by Chris Sanders , creator ofLilo & Stitch , there are obvious influences from Shere Khan in some of Scar ’s earliest designs . That smile , pronounce chin , and whiskers make him calculate like Sher Khan with a paint line of work . All he ’s missing are a curing of Beatles - inspired buzzard .
The Art Of Villainy
When casting the role of Scar , Disney want a very Shakespearean worker for the part . Of course , Irons was the natural paroxysm due to his breeding on stage with the Royal Shakespeare Company , but he was not the first pick . In fact , Irons was in the beginning loth to play the part .
see that the film was partially instigate byHamlet , it would make common sense to cast an worker with Shakespearean vibes . apart from atomic number 26 , two other names were thrown in the ring . Malcolm McDowell and Tim Curry were considered for the persona , but after seeing his mental testing footage , chains was swayed to be Scar and the rest is chronicle .
Familiar Faces
Alright , we ’ve talked about scars inner inspirations , we ’ve talked about his forcible appearance assume a cue from his voice actor , but what about his aim ? It should get as no surprisal that the twisted Leo has a very distinct and stylish look . He ’s tricky , and his aviation of maliciousness is more subtle than most . you’re able to thank animator Andreas Deja for that .
Deja is not only responsible for for Scar , but for Gaston fromBeauty and the Beastand most famously Jafar fromAladdinas well . Looking on this trio of Deja ’s character , you may easily see the shared element between them . From their colour report to their smooth and suave demeanor , sometimes it ’s ripe to be sorry .
O' Brother, Where Art Thou
In some original drafts of the story , Scar went from being a rabid alpha male baboon to a rogue lion who murder Mufasa for dominance . The rogue storyline was deemed too dark for the last labor , but the filmmakers did n’t precisely choose a lighter option . To make more humanist drama , they deform Mufasa and Scar into blood brother .
Originally , Scar , a malformed and burly rogue social lion , would have torn Mufasa to shreds and asserted his authorisation over the Pridelands , with help from his baboon partner in crime of course . The fellowship relationship was introduced to sharpen the tensity , and show that even those we bang and trust can have a twisted agenda .
Roaring Applause
If you are a rooter ofThe Lion Kingmovie , chances are you ’re a fan ofThe Lion KingBroadway musical as well . Perhaps the most darling Disney degree adjustment of all time , The Lion Kinghas been running for decades in New York and in several touring production . Scar , of course , is one of the lead roles but his stage persona is very different from his movie twin .
It takes some serious act chops to bring Scar to life in an utterly wild production . So it makes sense that Scar is more vibrant , dramatic , and even a touch comic than he is in the film . Not that we ’re complaining .
