When the film was released there was a stir in Japan. The film was very similar to the well known anime series 'Kimba the White Lion'. First there is the obvious similarity in names (Simba and Kimba). Also, both had a baboon as a shaman. But the similarities don't end there, both had an evil uncle - 'Scar' in the movie and 'Claw' in the series - as well as henchman hyenas. Plus a pose by a king on a rock. The possible lawsuit was dropped, because Osamu Tezuka's (the producer's) widow said that he would have been flattered that Disney was inspired by the series.
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One of the bugs Timon pulls out of the log during 'Hakuna Matata' is wearing Mickey ears.
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James Earl Jones (the voice of Mufasa) and Madge Sinclair (the voice of Sarabi) played the King and Queen in the 1988 film 'Coming to America'.
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Many people have, by now, heard the rumor about that little word that is formed by the dust that Simba sends up into the air. This occurs after he talks to Timon and Pumbaa about the stars. Actually the letters formed are not 'SEX'(as everyone will want you to believe) , but are 'SFX' which stand for special effects. The letters were put in there by the special effects team.
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In the original script (which was started 2-3 years before Simba's Pride was released) there were no Outlanders. It was only Zira (then known as Bianca), Kovu, and the three hyenas. In this script, Kovu was Scar's son. This was changed because if Zira was Scar's mate, then why would she team up with the hyenas, who killed Scar. They also had to change the fact of Kovu being Scar's son because that would be bordering on incest. (It would make Kovu and Kiara second cousins.)
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At the end climax of the film, Zira was originally supposed to commit suicide. This was only changed towards the very end of production.
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Although some store merchandise shows Kovu's older brother Nuka as a cub, he is never shown in the movie as one. The first you see of him is as an equivalent of a teenager.
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'Vitani' (Zira's daughter) was, at first, called 'Shetani'. This name means 'Devil' in the Kiswahili language, and Disney might have thought that it was unsuitable. The name 'Vitani' has no meaning. If you listen to the characters, you may hear them call her 'Shetani' at some points.
