Why These 5 Memorable Lion King Scenes Need to Make It Into the Live-Action Reboot

Everybody look left and everybody look right, because these original Lion King scenes better not be missing from the 2019 live-action reboot. As someone who grew up watching classic Disney films like Cinderella, Aladdin, Snow White, Tarzan, The Jungle Book, and of course, The Lion King, I can't help but hold these live-action remakes to a certain standard of accuracy.

Don't get me wrong — seeing what all of the Disney princesses' jewels and outfits look like in real life is pretty much a dream come true, and seeing an actual shirtless Aladdin (er, offscreen at least) is something else. Sometimes, though, the realism of it all can be a bit much compared the the cute cartoons.

Still, as long as Simba's story sticks true to the one my 3-year-old self first fell in love with, then there's no way I can really be disappointed. As Rafiki would say, "Change is good." Plus, Beyoncé is in it, so it has to be great, right? Read ahead to see a few key moments that should definitely be included in order for this remake to truly be considered The Lion King.

Original Lion King Moment: Mufasa Teaching Simba About the Pride Lands
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Original Lion King Moment: Mufasa Teaching Simba About the Pride Lands

During the first few minutes of the film — following the iconic "Circle of Life" scene — Mufasa spends some time showing Simba, the heir to Pride Rock, the beauty of the Pride Lands and why they're so important. "Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance," Mufasa tells Simba. "As king, you need to understand that balance and respect all the creatures, from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope." Even as an adult, hearing James Earl Jones explain the delicate balance of the universe and life to his cub feels like one of the most profound moments of the whole film, which is why this scene definitely deserves to be included in the reboot.

Original Lion King Moment: Scar Being Dramatic and Singing "Be Prepared"
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Original Lion King Moment: Scar Being Dramatic and Singing "Be Prepared"

Scar is, without a doubt, the most cynical and theatrical character in the entire Lion King series, which is why he's one of my favorite characters and why one of his greatest moments deserves to highlighted in the upcoming reboot: the "Be Prepared" scene. Truly the embodiment of a villain, Scar takes a full three minutes to serenade his hyena pack with a song about his plan to kill Mufasa and take leadership over Pride Rock. From the lyrics to the delivery itself, everything about this song makes it a "get stuck in your head until you're sick of it" kind of tune. Not only is it one of the most memorable songs from the film, but this scene also reveals Scar's true colors (Maleficent green, apparently) and solidifies the fact that he's the character we need to keep our eyes on — definitely a must.

Original Lion King Moment: Rafiki Seriously Kicking Some Hyena Butt
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Original Lion King Moment: Rafiki Seriously Kicking Some Hyena Butt

Rafiki is Swahili for "friend," which is pretty fitting given that he's both Mufasa and Simba's closest confidant and most trusted adviser (sorry, Zazu). He's one of the wisest characters in the entire movie and definitely carries a tranquil air about him. But Rafiki surprises us all when, during Scar's ambush on Pride Rock, he jumps in to help fight off the rabid pack of hyenas with his trusty Bakora staff — and his fists, of course. While we do see Rafiki bop Simba on the head a few times throughout the film to knock some sense into him, this is the first real glimpse we get into another side of the mandrill, which shows that even overwhelmingly good characters can have a little bit of fight in them.

Original Lion King Moment: Nala and Simba Reuniting and Falling in Love
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Original Lion King Moment: Nala and Simba Reuniting and Falling in Love

I can already hear Elton John crooning in the background and see the blue and pink sky as Simba and Nala stare into each other's eyes during that Lion King moment. This scene is basically a montage of the two lions flirting and falling in love, but 7-year-old me would say it was definitely one of the most romantic movie moments ever, and I know a lot of people who would agree. As much as the scene adds to Simba and Nala's character development, it's also just a supersweet moment, and The Lion King absolutely wouldn't be complete without it.

Original Lion King Moment: Timon and Pumbaa Being Totally Ridiculous
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Original Lion King Moment: Timon and Pumbaa Being Totally Ridiculous

The Lion King is a film full of heartbreak, romance, and valuable insight — but it's also a kid's movie, which means it's full of gross jokes and ridiculous characters. Timon and Pumbaa are pretty much an unbeatable duo, and while I'm happy to hear that they will be making an appearance in the live-action remake, I do hope we also get to see some of their classic shenanigans remade. Watching the hyenas laugh uncontrollably and seeing Timon's hula performance, in particular, are definitely a couple moments I look forward to more than anything else, so here's to hoping this new Lion King is just as unforgettable as the first!