| Scar | |
|---|---|
| The Lion King character | |
 | |
| First appearance | The Lion King (1994) |
| Created by | |
| Voiced by |
|
| Inspired by | King Claudius |
| In-universe information | |
| Full name | Taka (inSix New Adventures,The Lion King andMufasa: The Lion King) Mruki (inThe Lion Guard) |
| Nickname | Scar |
| Species | Lion |
| Title | King of the Pride Lands Heir to the Throne of the Pride Lands (formerly) Leader ofthe Lion Guard (formerly) |
| Family | |
| Relatives | |
Scar is a fictional character and the mainantagonist ofDisney'sThe Lion King franchise. He is introduced in the1994 animated film as the younger, envious brother ofMufasa, the ruler of the Pride Lands. Originallyfirst in line to thethrone, Scar is abruptly replaced by Mufasa's newborn son,Simba. Enraged, he devises a plot tousurp the throne by leading an army ofhyenas and betraying both Mufasa and Simba. Afterkilling Mufasa, Scar manipulates Simba into believing he is to blame, prompting Simba to flee intoexile.
Created by screenwritersIrene Mecchi,Jonathan Roberts, andLinda Woolverton, and animated byAndreas Deja, Scar is loosely based onKing Claudius, the main antagonist inWilliam Shakespeare'sHamlet. His villainy was further inspired by German dictatorAdolf Hitler, as well as by lions' natural behavior of pride takeovers. As the character's supervising animator, Deja modeled Scar's appearance on the original voice actorJeremy Irons, drawing particularly from Irons's performance asClaus von Bülow inReversal of Fortune.Chiwetel Ejiofor voices the photorealistic version of Scar in the2019 remake, whileKelvin Harrison Jr. portrays the character inMufasa: The Lion King.
As a character, Scar has garnered widespread acclaim from film critics, with Irons's vocal performance receiving equal praise. However, his violence, darkcolor palette and allegedlyeffeminate mannerisms initially sparked mild controversy. Nevertheless, Scar remains celebrated as one of Disney's greatest villains by various media outlets—toppingHuffPost's list and ranking within the top ten of similar lists published byYahoo! Movies, theOrlando Sentinel,E! andCNN. He has also been recognized among the greatest villains in film history byDigital SpyandEntertainment Weekly.
The Lion King was first conceived in 1988.[1] The film was eventually pitched to Disney executives, one of whom was among the first to observe similarities between authorThomas M. Disch's treatment andWilliam Shakespeare's playHamlet.[2][3] Although first citing these similarities as initially unintentional,[4] directorRob Minkoff always felt it was essential "to anchor [the film] with something familiar."[5] As directors, Minkoff andRoger Allers aspired to create "an animal picture based in a more natural setting,"[6] describing the film as "More true-life adventure than mythicalepic."[7] Although not the first Disney film to have been inspired by Shakespeare's work,[8]The Lion Kingremains the studio's most prominent example,[9] due to close parallels between its characters andHamlet, while both stories revolve around main characters who struggle to come to terms with the reality that they must confront their treacherous uncles and avenge their fathers' deaths.[10] Scar is based on King Claudius.[11] According toSlate, while Claudius is mostly "a second-rate schemer, consumed by anxiety and guilt," Scar very much "delight[s] in his monstrosity;"[12] both characters are motivated by jealousy.[13] Meanwhile,The Weekobserved that although both characters ultimately die, Claudius is killed by protagonist,Prince Hamlet, while Scar dies "at the hand of his former hyena minions, and not Simba, himself."[4] Additionally, the character shares similarities withIago from Shakespeare's playOthello, as both antagonists are skilled in exploiting their victims' fears.[14]
The original plot ofThe Lion King revolved around a rivalry between lions and baboons.[15] A baboon himself, Scar was their leader.[16] After this plot was abandoned, Scar was re-written into a rogue lion lacking anyblood relation to bothMufasa andSimba.[17][18] The writers eventually decided that making Scar and Mufasa brothers would make the film more interesting.[19] At one point, Scar owned a petpython as asidekick, but this character was abandoned.[15] Because the film was originally intended to be much more adult-oriented, Scar was to have becomeinfatuated with Simba's childhood friend and eventual love interest,Nala, wanting the young lioness to rule alongside him as his queen,[20] and consequentiallybanishing the character[15] when she refuses.[21] This concept was to have been further explored during areprise of Scar's song "Be Prepared",[22] but both the idea and the song were ultimately removed from the film, because they were deemed too "creepy." In addition to that, there was a scene in which Scar was originally going to defeat Simba and throw him off Pride Rock, before he's engulfed by flames. This ending was cut for being far too dark for young viewers.[20] To further emphasize the character's villainy andtyranny, the writers loosely based Scar onAdolf Hitler.[23] According toThe Jerusalem Post, Scar's song "Be Prepared" "featuresgoose-stepping hyenas in a formation reminiscent of aNuremberg rally."[24] This idea was first suggested by story artistJorgen Klubien.[24]
According to the directors, "[a] patronizing quality" was vital to Scar's role in the film.[25] Minkoff told theLos Angeles Times, "When Scar puts theguilt trip on Simba, that's an intense idea and probably something that isnot typical of the other Disney pictures, in terms of what the villain does."[25] Additionally, Scar serves as a departure from previousDisney Villains, because they "came off at least asbuffoonish as they were sinister".[25] Because Scar is the film's main antagonist,[26] supervising animatorAndreas Deja believed that "villains work really well when they're subtle," explaining, "to see them think and scheme and plot is much more interesting than showing them beating somebody up."[25] By blaming Mufasa's death on an innocent Simba, Scar ultimately triggers "a cycle of guilt, flight, denial and redemption, as the hero goes into self-imposed exile, before finally reconciling with his father's memory, returning to face his wicked uncle and generallycoming of age."[25] The character's first line inThe Lion King "essentially summarizes the entire film, providingforeshadowing". It reads, "Life's not fair is it? You see I—well, I shall never be King. And you shall never see light of another day. Adieu," which subtly reveals the plot, as well as "the reason why [Scar] decides to murder his own brother."[13] (This line is given minor edits for the 2019 remake: "Life's not fair. Is it, my little friend? While some are born to feast, others spend their lives in the dark, begging for scraps. The way I see it, you and I are exactly the same: we both want to find a way out.").
Tim Curry,Malcolm McDowell,Alan Rickman,Patrick Stewart, andIan McKellen were all originally considered for the role of Scar.[27] However, the actor ultimately chosen for the role wasJeremy Irons,[23] because of his classical theater training, because the directors had deliberately wanted Scar "to come across as a Shakespearean character."[27] Successfully recruiting Irons for the film was considered an unprecedented achievement for the studio because, at the time, it was rare for a dramatic actor of Irons's caliber to agree to voice an animated character,[28] especially immediately after winning anAcademy Award.[25] In fact, theOscar-winning actor[29] nearly declined, because, in fear of jeopardizing his successful career, he was "[h]esitant to jump from a dramatic role to an animated feature."[30] Prior toThe Lion King, Irons was famous for starring as several villains and antagonists inlive action films "geared towards adults."[31] Although he had starred ina children's film before, the actor admitted that it did not mirror the success ofThe Lion King,[31] a film that has since gained notoriety for its cast of well known, award-winning Hollywood actors,[32] which animation historian Jerry Beck referred to in his bookThe Animated Movie Guide as "the most impressive list of actors ever to grace an animated film."[33]
As directors, Minkoff and Allers "work[ed] very closely with the actors to create their performance."[34] Describing Irons as "a gentleman and a brilliant actor," Allers revealed that the actor was constantly offering "extra interpretations of lines which were fantastic."[5] ProducerDon Hahn recalled that Irons "really wanted to play with the words and the pacing," specifically referring to a scene in which Scar coaxes Simba onto a rock and tricks the cub to stay there and await his father's arrival, dubbing it "a father and sonthing." According to Hahn, "The comedy in [Irons's] inflection comes from Scar sounding so disdainful he can barely summon the will to finish the sentence."[25] Irons's physical appearance and mannerisms served as inspiration for Scar's supervising animator Andreas Deja, namely his flicking his paw in disgust.[25] Critics have cited physical similarities between Irons and Scar.[35]
In a reference to the role that earned Irons an Academy Award,Claus von Bülow inReversal of Fortune, the writers gave Scar one of von Bülow's lines, "You have no idea," which is uttered by Irons in a similar tone.[36][37] According to author Rachel Stein ofNew Perspectives on Environmental Justice: Gender, Sexuality, and Activism, Irons relies "on his history of playing sexually perverse, socially dangerous male characters to animate his depiction of Scar."[38] On the contrary, Irons revealed toSavannah, Georgia that the similarities between the voices of Scar and von Bülow were largely unintentional, explaining, "Whatever voice came was arrived at by looking at the initial sketches and from the freedom the directors gave me to try anything." Irons concluded, "The fact that he may occasionally remind you of Claus, comes from the fact that they both share the samevoice box."[39]
While recording Scar's song, "Be Prepared," Irons encountered challenges with his singing voice. The actor reportedly "blew out his voice" upon belting the line "you won't get a sniff without me," rendering him incapable of completing the musical number.[40] Consequently, Disney was forced to recruit American voice actorJim Cummings, who had also been providing the voice ofThe Lion King's laughing hyenaEd at the time,[41] to impersonate Irons and record the rest of the song.[42] On May 25th, 2024, Jeremy Irons performed "Be Prepared" live for the 30th anniversary of The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl.[43][44] Jim Cummings toldHuffPostthat "[s]tunt singing" is actually something the actor continues to do regularly, having done the same for American actorRussell Means, voice of theChief Powhatan in Disney'sPocahontas.[45] Critics observed that Irons "fakes his way through 'Be Prepared' in the grand tradition of talk-singing," drawing similarities between him and American actorJames Cagney and English actorRex Harrison.[46] Deja revealed that, during arecording session, Irons's stomach was grumbling. Deja joked, "The growling sound could be heard in his recording, so we had to record that part of his dialog all over again."[47] As a result of Irons's prominentBritish accent, critics have compared both the actor and Scar toShere Khan, the main antagonist of Disney's earlier filmThe Jungle Book, voiced by English actorGeorge Sanders.[25]
Chiwetel Ejiofor was officially chosen on November 1, 2017 for the role of Scar in the2019 photorealistic remake directed byJon Favreau, as he had impressed Favreau, after watching his antagonistic performance asBaron Mordo in theMarvel filmDoctor Strange (2016).[48] Ejiofor said that "especially with Scar, whether it's a vocal quality that allows for a certain confidence or a certain aggression, to always know that at the end of it you're playing somebody who has the capacity to turn everything on its head in a split second with outrageous acts of violence—that can completely change the temperature of a scene".[49] Favreau said of casting Ejiofor, "[He] is just a fantastic actor, who brings us a bit of the mid-Atlantic cadence and a new take on the character. He brings that feeling of a Shakespearean villain to bear because of his background as an actor. It's wonderful when you have somebody as experienced and seasoned as Chiwetel; he just breathes such wonderful life into this character."[50] WhenJeremy Irons was interviewed onLarry King Now on November 30, 2016, he expressed interest in reprising the role.[51]
In August 2021, it was announced thatKelvin Harrison Jr. would voice a young Scar (referred to by his born name "Taka") inBarry Jenkins' 2024 prequel and sequel of the remake,Mufasa: The Lion King.[52]
The studio originally dismissedThe Lion Kingas a risk, because, at the time, it was believed that the greatest films starred people.[53] Concerned about the novelty of the film, Disney chairmanJeffrey Katzenberg decided to divide the studio into two separate animated films,The Lion KingandPocahontas, the latter of which was dubbed "the home run" because it was expected to be the more successful of the two projects.[54] Disney's more seasoned and experienced animators gravitated towardsPocahontas, while the studio's newer animators were relegated to working onThe Lion King, dubbing themselves the "B-team."[55] However, Allers received Katzenberg's decision as an opportunity for "newer animators to step up to leadership roles",[55] among themAndreas Deja, who became Scar's supervising animator.[55] Well-known for animating several Disney villains,[56] Deja summarized the experience as "more fun than drawing heroes" because "You have so much more to work with, in terms of expressions and acting and drawing-wise, than you would have with a nice princess or a prince, where you have to be ever so careful with thedraftsmanship."[57]
| "[A]t Disney ... the people responsible for each movie see that you are good at animating a specific type of character, they will keep giving similar characters to you. Also, I animated a couple of those villains because I asked to. I told the studio that I could do something good with these characters, since they really spoke to me. I showed that I had a passion for it, which I believe to be very important. Villains are very interesting characters, they have the most 'juice' in them, and they invite you to explore them. So, if something fascinates you, then you should probably explore it." |
| — Supervising animatorAndreas Deja on animating Disney villains[47] |
Before becoming involved withThe Lion King, Deja had already developed a reputation for animating Disney villains.[47][56] Prior to animating Scar, Deja had just recently served as the supervising animator ofGaston andJafar, the villains in Disney'sBeauty and the Beast andAladdin, respectively.[25] Initially, Deja had been considering the idea of animating a hero for a change,[47] contemplating taking on the task of animating Simba, instead.[58] However, Deja relented upon learning that Scar would be voiced by Irons, feeling that it would be "fun" to animate a character voiced by such a prestigious actor.[58] Meanwhile, Minkoff and Allers had already had Deja in mind for animating Scar, long before the animator approached the directors about the position.[58] The levelanthropomorphism used inThe Lion King exceeded that of any Disney animated film by which it was preceded.[59] Because Scar is an animal, as opposed to a human,[60] Deja and the animators faced certain challenges and limitations when it came to instilling movement in the character,[60] and thus experimented with manipulating Scar'sfacial expressions, specifically the way in which he tilts his head condescendingly, raises his eyebrows and lifts his chin.[25] The animals were each drawn with certain human-like attributes and characteristics, in order to help convey emotions and tell the story.[59] Meanwhile, the studio recruited live lions for the animators to study, while drawing.[61] As the film's villain, Scar is the only lion drawn withclaws.[15]
Owen Gleiberman ofEntertainment Weeklydescribed Scar as "a figure of both pity and evil, and of treacherous comedy" with Irons "filling this devious coward with elegantly witty self-loathing."[62] As an animator, Deja believes that "If you have a great voice to work with, your work is half done."[63] Enjoying the way in which Irons "has a way with words and phrasing,"[63] Deja deliberately based much of Scar's appearance on the actor himself, specifically the shape of his mouth and facial expressions.[47] Several of the actor's physical attributes were incorporated into Scar's design, with Irons admitting to recognizing his ownbaggy eyes in his character.[25] Additionally, Deja studied Irons's performances in the filmsReversal of Fortune andDamage, for inspiration.[25][64]
Scar sings the musical number "Be Prepared," written by songwritersElton John andTim Rice, while contemplating Mufasa's death plot and bringing the hyenas along. Described as the film's "darkest" song, a "pompous,"[65] "fascisticpaean to usurpers,"[66] the musical sequence depicts the lion "as a big-cat fascist."[67] According toBusiness Insider, in addition to loosely basing the character on Adolf Hitler, to further emphasize Scar's tyranny, the filmmakers directly based his song "Be Prepared," which referencesNazism by having Scar's army of hyenasgoose step, while addressing them from a high ledge, similar to the way in which Hitler would have from a balcony,[23] in theNazi propaganda filmTriumph of the Will(1935),[68] which documentsNazi Germany during 1934.[69]
According toEntertainment Weekly, the concept originated from a sketch by story artistJorgen Klubien, in which Scar was depicted as Hitler. Although hesitant that then-Disney Animation chiefJeffrey Katzenberg would approve, the filmmakers decided to pursue it, describing the sequence as a "Triumph of the Will-style mock-Nuremberg rally."[66] TheSt. Louis Post-Dispatchreviewed, "those goose-stepping hyenas seem a little much in hindsight,"[70] whileFilm School Rejects coined it a "hellish gathering."[71]
Scar first appeared inThe Lion King (1994) as the scheming younger brother ofMufasa. In the film, Scar was first in line to become king of the lion pride until his nephewSimba was born, becoming the newheir apparent. Determined to seize the throne, Scar devises a plan to kill both Simba and Mufasa. Scar's first plan was tricking Simba into going to theelephant graveyard where hisspotted hyena minions,Shenzi, Banzai and Ed, were to kill Simba and his best friend,Nala, only for Mufasa to intervene. Next, Scar traps Simba in agorge and orders the hyenas to trigger awildebeeststampede. Although Mufasa saves Simba, he is unable to climb out of the gorge to safety. When Mufasa begs Scar for help, Scar instead digs his claws into his brother's paws. Mufasa realizes that Scar is responsible for the stampede and that he has been betrayed by his brother. Scar says "long live the king" before sending Simba to his death. Deceiving Simba into believing that he is to blame for Mufasa's death, Scar advises Simba to leave the Pride Lands and never return, then orders the hyenas to kill Simba. Scar returns to Pride Rock and tells the pride that Mufasa and Simba died in the stampede. Scar assumes the throne and allows the hyenas into the Pride Lands. Unbeknownst to Scar, Simba escapes the hyenas.
Years later, Scar has allowed the hyenas to wreak havoc upon the Pride Lands, which turn barren and starving under histyranny. He has also forbidden the mention of Mufasa's name in his presence. Now an adult, Simba returns to Pride Rock aided by Nala and his new friends,Timon and Pumbaa. There, Simba witnesses Scar striking his mother,Sarabi. Simba confronts Scar, who persuades Simba to admit to the pride that he's responsible for Mufasa's death. Meanwhile, a lightening strike has caused a fire. As he prepares to throw Simba off Pride Rock into the fire, Scar tells Simba that he was the one who killed Mufasa, confident that the secret will die with Simba. Instead, Simba leaps up and tackles Scar, forcing him to confess to the pride that he murdered Mufasa. A battle erupts as the pride, Timon, and Pumbaa begin fighting the hyenas. Scar tries to flee but is cornered by Simba on the top of Pride Rock. Scar begs for mercy and attempts to blame his actions on the hyenas, unaware that they are listening nearby. Simba spares Scar on the condition that Scar permanently leaves the Pride Lands. Scar briefly pretends to do so, but then attacks Simba and they fight. Scar knocks Simba on his back, but as Scar lunges at Simba, Simba kicks Scar over the cliff ledge. Scar survives but is met by the hyenas, who kill him for betraying them.
Due to Scar’s death inThe Lion King, his presence in the sequelThe Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998) is limited. Scar briefly appears in a scene depicting Simba's nightmare. In the scene, Simba runs down a cliff, attempting to rescue his father from a stampede. Scar appears and transforms intoKovu, Scar's chosen heir, who throws Simba off the cliff.
Scar makes another brief appearance as Kovu's reflection in a pool of water after Kovu is exiled from the Pride Lands.
InThe Lion King 1½ (2004), Scar make a few brief appearances but does not speak. In the film, Nala, now queen, mentions Scar when she explains to Timon and Pumbaa why Simba left.
Scar makes three cameo appearances at the film's climax. The first cameo is the scene where he backs Simba up against the ledge, right when lightning strikes the base of Pride Rock; the second is during the scene where he admits to murdering Mufasa, before being pinned down by Simba; and the third is when he is defeated by Simba and kicked off the edge of Pride Rock. He survives this fall, but is attacked and killed by the hyenas that he betrayed.
Despite his death in the original film, Scar makes a few brief, non-speaking appearances in the spin-off television seriesTimon & Pumbaa. He is seen in the season two episode "Zazu's Off-By-One Day" when Zazu cleans out his trash can in search for the jungle inspector, and the animated wraparound segment in theAround the World with Timon & Pumbaa international video when Timon drags him to try to restore Pumbaa's lost memories.
Scar is portrayed in paintings throughout season one ofThe Lion Guard television series, which expand on his backstory. When Scar was young, he led the Lion Guard, a traditional duty of the king's second child. In this role, Scar protected the Pride Lands and defended the "Circle of Life" from all enemies. Scar also had an ability called the Roar of the Elders, which summons the lions of the Pride Lands' past to roar with the lion using the ability. This power convinced Scar he should be the king instead of Mufasa. When his fellow Lion Guard members refused to help him dethrone Mufasa, Scar killed them using the Roar of the Elders. As a result, Scar was stripped of this ability, as he used it against its intended purpose.
Scar appears as a fiery spirit in a volcano in season two (voiced byDavid Oyelowo[72]) starting in the episodeThe Rise of Scar. In this episode, Kion, the current leader of the Lion Guard, uses the Roar of the Elders after Janja the hyena provokes him, and unknowingly summons Scar. Scar conspires with Janja and the other animals in the Outlands to take over the Pride Lands and defeat Simba and the new Lion Guard.
Later in the season, the Lion Guard discovers that Scar has returned. Scar's army begins conquering various locations in the Pride Lands, causing unrest, until the Lion Guard trains the residents of the Pride Lands into a militia.
In season three's one-hour premiereBattle for the Pride Lands, Scar battles the Lion Guard. He attempts to burn down Pride Rock and to kill Janja and his clan along for being tempted to defect. At the end of the episode, Kion defeats Scar by summoning the Great Kings of the Past to punish Scar for his actions. This results in Scar's evaporation.
In a flashback during the season three premiere, it is revealed that as an adolescent, Scar (born Mruki) met a rogue lion who had offered his help in overthrowing Mufasa. The rogue's cobra companion bit Mruki on the eye, poisoning him anf leaving a scar. Mruki used the Roar of the Lion to throw the rogue lion and the cobra to their deaths in lava. This gradually increased Scar's jealousy of Mufasa, who gave his brother the nickname "Scar." Mruki then adopted the nickname and began plotting to personally kill his brother. Wanting Kion to share his fate, Scar instructs the cobra Ushari to give Kion a similar scar; much of season three revolves around the results of this.
The success ofThe Lion Kingspawned aBroadwaymusical based on the film, directed byJulie Taymor with a book written byThe Lion Kingco-director,Roger Allers and screenwriterIrene Mecchi. American actorJohn Vickery originated the role of Scar. During the song "The Madness of King Scar," Scar attempts to seduce a young adult Nala and make her his queen and mother of his cubs. Nala rejects Scar's advances and leaves Pride Rock.
Actors who have played the role worldwide includeGavin Lee,Stephen Carlile,Michael Hollick,Patrick Page,George Asprey andRob Edwards andSalvatore Antonio.
InThe Lion King (2019), Scar is described by his voice actorChiwetel Ejiofor as more "psychologically possessed" and "brutalized" than in the original film.[73] Ejiofor also said that "[Scar and Mufasa's] relationship is completely destroyed and brutalized by Scar's way of thinking. He's possessed with this disease of his own ego and his own want."[74] Among the changes, Scar is stated to have challenged Mufasa in the past and lost (it is implied he got his scar in the fight), and that both brothers courted Sarabi, who chose Mufasa. In the 2019 film, Scar also has to earn the trust of the hyenas, whereas in the 1994 film, the hyenas were allied with Scar from the beginning. During his reign, Scar takes a more active role in hunting alongside the pack of hyenas, and is also seen trying to force Sarabi to become his mate and queen. He also restricts conversations about Mufasa, rather than banning his name entirely, as he did in the original film. Additionally, His scar also appears black instead of pink, and his general appearance is similar to that of anAsiatic lion, having a noticeably thinner mane and lighter physique.
In the prequel film, Scar is depicted in his youth under the nameTaka, voiced byKelvin Harrison Jr., withTheo Somolu voicing the cub version of the character.[75]
The film reveals that Scar, formerly known as Taka, is not Mufasa's biological brother, but a royal cub born to King Obasi and Queen Eshe. Taka's family adopts Mufasa after the latter is separated from his parents during aflood. Although Obasi reluctantly accepts the outsider cub, he disdains Mufasa as a "stray." Taka and Mufasa nonetheless grow up together, developing a close brotherly bond.
Years later, a pride ofwhite lions known as the Outsiders ambush the royal family. Queen Eshe is attacked, and Mufasa rushes to defend her, killing the son of Kiros, the Outsiders' leader. Instead of praising his courage, King Obasi harshly scolds Taka, ordering him to conceal his involvement in the conflict to preserve his reputation and political standing.
When word spreads that the Outsiders are preparing to retaliate, Obasi instructs his sons to flee and establish a new home for the royal bloodline. The brothers set out to find a legendary land called Milele, which Mufasa remembers from stories his parents told him before their separation. Along the way, they meet Sarabi, a wandering lioness. Taka quickly becomes enamored with her and enlists Mufasa’s help in winning her affection. In an effort to support his brother, Mufasa allows Taka to take credit for saving Sarabi from an elephantstampede. Despite Taka's attempts to woo her, Sarabi gradually grows closer to Mufasa, recognizing his quiet heroism and selflessness.
This devastates Taka, who feels overshadowed and betrayed. Consumed by jealousy, he secretly conspires with Kiros, offering to lead the Outsiders to Mufasa's tracks in exchange for vengeance. When the brothers finally reach Milele, they are ambushed by Kiros and his pride. Kiros exposes Taka's betrayal, and Taka accuses Mufasa of stealing both Sarabi's love and his parents' affection.
During the ensuing battle, Mufasa is cornered and nearly killed, but a remorseful Taka intervenes to save his life. In the struggle, Kiros slashes Taka across the face, leaving a deep wound that will become his namesake scar. Taka ultimately kills Kiros, helping Mufasa and the Pride defeat the Outsiders. With the conflict resolved, Mufasa ascends as the first King of Milele, later renamed the Pride Lands. He is reunited with his mother Eshe, though he learns of his father's death in exile.
Filled with guilt, Taka begs Mufasa for forgiveness. Though Mufasa allows him to remain in the kingdom, he solemnly decrees that "Taka"—the name tainted by betrayal—shall never be spoken again. Accepting his new identity, Taka chooses to call himself "Scar", a symbol of his shame and the lessons of his past. As Mufasa climbs the newly christened Pride Rock to begin his reign, Scar lingers in the shadows, watching silently before retreating into bitterness, foreshadowing the darkness that will one day consume him.
Scar makes a few appearances inSix New Adventures, a book series that continued the story of the originalLion King film. Most prominently, Scar is the antagonist inA Tale of Two Brothers. In the story, Simba breaks a promise to Kopa, his son, and Rafiki warns against this, using Scar's relationship with his own father, Ahadi, as a warning. Feeling Mufasa is the favored child, Scar, then called Taka, tries to make his brother look foolish by pitting him against a Buffalo named Boma. However, the plan fails and Taka is given the name of Scar as a 'mark of shame'.[76]
Scar is the primary antagonist ofThe Circle of Ter-Roar, the seventh book of theDisney Chills series written by author Jennifer Brody under the name Vera Strange. The book was published on August 1, 2023.
The novel follows twelve-year-old Silas, whose anxiousness causes him to be bullied by his classmates. Silas' family inherits Camp Pride Rock, a safari-themed summer camp inArizona that was previously run by his Aunt Scarlet. Upon arriving at the camp, the family find the grounds in poor condition. Inside Silas's closet is an old, mysterious trunk that contains the spirit of Camp Pride Rock—the pelt of an old lion named Scar. After opening the trunk, Silas begins to think that things are looking up for the camp and for his family, until a terrifying accident and a series of scary animal encounters change his mind.[77]
Scar appears at the end of the 1994 video gameThe Lion King when Simba battles Scar.[78][79]
Scar plays a similar role in the video gameThe Lion King: Simba's Mighty Adventure(2000),[80] with climactic battle between Simba and Scar occuring at the end of the sixth level.[81] The game features the voices of the original film's cast, including Jeremy Irons as Scar.[80]
Scar, voiced byJames Horan, appears as anon-player character inDisney's Extreme Skate Adventure(2003)[82] andKingdom Hearts II as a villain who ultimately transforms into aHeartless as a result of the character's "hatred and jealousy."[83] Scar is a payable character to unlock for a limited time inDisney Magic Kingdoms.[84]
Scar's pelt is worn as a coat byHercules in Disney's 1997 filmHercules,[85] in reference to theNemean lion.[86] This may also be a reference toZazu's remark inThe Lion King (1994) that Scar would "make a very handsome throw rug." Scar's supervising animatorAndreas Deja also served as the supervising animator for Hercules.[87]
Like otherThe Lion King characters, Scar has appeared several times in the television seriesHouse of Mouse, as one of the guests in the titular club.[citation needed]
InPlusaversary, an installation in theThe Simpsons Disney+ shorts series, Scar appears as an attendee at the party inMoe's Tavern.[88] In anotherThe Simpsons short,Welcome to the Club, Scar appears along with other Disney villains trying to convinceLisa Simpson how fun it is to be a villain.[89]
Scar is one of severalWalt Disney Animation Studios characters to appear in the short filmOnce Upon a Studio, where he is again voiced byJeremy Irons.[90][91]
Scar has garnered widespread acclaim fromfilm critics, some of whom praised him as a better character than Simba.[92] Author Peter M. Nichols wrote in his bookNew York Times Essential Library: Children's Movies: A Critic's Guide to the Best Films Available on Video and DVD that Scar "is the most interesting character in the film," describing Simba and Mufasa "bores in comparison."[93]Janet Maslin ofThe New York Timescalled Scar a "delectably wicked" villain. Maslin went on to praise Irons's voice acting, writing that the actor "slithers through the story in grandiose high style, with a green-eyed malevolence that is one of film's chief delights."[94] Leah Rozen ofPeople described Scar as "a flawless realization of Irons's special talent."[95]Gene Siskel of theChicago Tribune lauded Scar as the film's "best character," jokingly describing him as "Irons' Claus von Bulow with fur."[96] Similarly,ComingSoon.net's Joshua Starnes hailed Scar as "the best part of the film." Praising both Scar and Irons's acting, Starnes continued, "He switches so quickly and easily fromcampy to deadly its like a showcase for how to do an over-the-top villain right."[97] Concluding that "Villains are often the most memorable characters in a Disney animated film,"Roger Ebert described Scar "one of the great ones."[36]James Berardinelli ofReelViews reviewed, "Gone is thebuffoonery that has marked the recent trio of Ursula, Gaston, andJafar," writing, "Scar is a sinister figure, given to acid remarks and cunning villainy." Berardinelli concluded, "The cold-hearted manner in which he causes his Mufasa's death lets us know that this is not a lion to be trifled with."[98]
"Simba is also influenced by his delectably wicked uncle, Scar (Jeremy Irons). Scar arranges Mufasa's disturbing on-screen death in a manner that both banishes Simba to the wilderness and raises questions about whether this film really warranted a G rating ... For the grown-ups, there is Mr. Irons, who has been as devilishly well captured by Disney's graphic artists (Scar's supervising animator: Andreas Deja) asRobin Williams was inAladdin. Bored, wicked and royally sarcastic, Mr. Irons's Scar slithers through the story in grandiose high style, with a green-eyed malevolence that is one of film's chief delights. 'Oh, and just between us, you might want to work on that little roar of yours, hmm?' he purrs to Simba, while purporting to be a mentor to his young nephew. Scar, who also gives a reprise of Mr. Irons's best-known line fromReversal of Fortune, may not be much of a father figure, but he's certainly great fun."
_(cropped).jpg)
A film that features the voices of several well-knownA-list actors,Jeremy Irons as Scar,Matthew Broderick as Simba,James Earl Jones as Mufasa,Nathan Lane as Timon, andWhoopi Goldberg as Shenzi,[99]The Lion Kinghas since gone on to be acclaimed as "one of the most impressive arrays of voice talents ever utilized in an animated film."[100] Critics have repeatedly singled out Irons's performance, praising it extensively: Cindy White ofIGN called Irons's performance "deliciously smarmy,"[101] while Andy Patrizio of IGN wrote that Irons voices Scar "in perfect Shakespearean villain mode."[102]Rolling Stone'sPeter Travers hailed Irons for "deliver[ing] a triumphantly witty vocal performance that ranks with Robin Williams' inAladdin."[103] Peter Stack of theSan Francisco Chroniclecommended Disney for "nail[ing] the voice talents," specifically Irons.[104]The Philadelphia Daily News' Bill Wedo described Irons's voice as "silken,"[105] while Graham Young of theBirmingham Mailhailed the actor's performance as "magnificent."[106]Radio Times' Tom Hutchinson wrote, "Jeremy Irons [is] a vocal standout as the evil uncle Scar."[107] Annette Basile ofFilminkechoed Hutchinson's statement, writing that Scar is "voiced with relish by stand-out Jeremy Irons."[108]The Guardian'sPhilip French opined, "Jeremy Irons is excellent as the suavely villainous lion Scar."[109]David Sterritt ofThe Christian Science Monitorexalted Irons's acting, describing him as "positively brilliant."[110] Also hailing the film's cast as "incredible,"Desson Howe ofThe Washington Posthighlighted Irons as a "standout."[111] Praising the film for successfully combining "grand-operamelodrama and low-comedy hi-jinks," theOrlando Sentinel's Jay Boyar concluded that "One reason they work so well together is that even most of the serious sections contain an undercurrent of humor, provided ... by the deliciously droll voice-performance of Jeremy Irons as Scar."[112] Mathew DeKinder of theSt. Louis Post-Dispatchfelt that Irons successfully "handle[s] all of the dramatic heavy lifting."[70]
Even film critics who generally disliked the film tended to enjoy Scar's characterization and Irons's performance.Terrence Rafferty ofThe New Yorker wrote, "Among the celebrity voices on the soundtrack, two performances stand out," namely, "Jeremy Irons, as the villainous lion Scar" who "does an elegant, funnyGeorge Sanders impersonation."[113]Stephen Hunter ofThe Baltimore Sundescribed Irons's voice as "plummy-rich with rancidirony."[11]Television Without Pity's Ethan Alter admitted to enjoying Scar, praising the character as "a fantastic villain and easily the most fully realized of the film's characters, thanks both to Jeremy Irons's marvelously wicked vocal performance and some clever character flourishes on behalf of the animators."[114]David Denby ofNew York, who otherwise criticized the film, felt that "Irons ... sounds like he's having a better time than he's ever had in movies before."[115] In a rare lukewarm review, Anthony Quinn ofThe Independent felt that Irons's performance was too campy: "moreLiberace than George Sanders."[116]
Ejiofor's characterization of Scar, while constantly compared with the original, is still generally well received. Renaldo Matadeen from CBR Exclusives praised Scar's remake incarnation as being more frightening than the original for having more motives in his action instead of a simple jealousy and how Scar is more active in leading the hyenas.[117] Similarly, Ejiofor's performance as Scar is also praised. Owen Gleiberman fromVariety praised Ejiofor's voice acting, commenting that his Scar raises the film's dramatic stakes, upping the ante on what Jeremy Irons did as Scar in the 1994 version.[118] Scott Mendelson fromForbes comments that while he prefers Jeremy Irons's Scar, he still praised Ejiofor's performance for making Scar excellent and nuanced.[119]
According toIGN, Scar, Simba and Mufasa have since become "household names thanks to the [film's] enormous popularity ... but back in 1994 who could have predicted that these characters would enter the lexicon of Disney's most popular creations?"[120] Scar is considered to be among Disney's greatest villains.[26][121] Desmond Ryan ofThe Philadelphia Inquirer reviewed Scar as "the most vivid villain in Disney features in generations."[122] On a broader scale, Scar is often revered as one of the greatest animated villains of all time.[123]Entertainment Weeklyincluded the character in the article "10 Over-the-top Animated Movie Villains", explaining, "you could only expect over-the-top when you pair such a grasping, conniving character with Jeremy Irons' seductive voice."[124] Likewise,Digital Spy's Alex Fletcher wrote of Scar in his article "Who is Disney's greatest-ever villain?" that "The scene in which he lets Mufasa ... fall into a stampede of wildebeests left lasting emotional trauma on an entire generation."[125]
Scar walks the fine line between gravitas and camp, and most of the credit has to go to Jeremy Irons's superb sarcastic drawl. His main complaint is simply that life isn't fair, and that his status as Mufasa's younger brother makes him ineligible to rule over Pride Rock. Anyone with siblings, royal or not, can relate on some level. And although it's honestly a little cringe-worthy to watch Scar mince his way through 'Be Prepared,' he proves himself an adept orator, inspiring legions of goose-stepping hyenas to throw off the shackles of the oppressive lions.
HuffPost ranked Scar first in its "Definitive Ranking of 25 Classic Disney Villains"countdown.[127] Similarly,BuzzFeed also ranked Scar first in the website's "Definitive Ranking Of The Top 20 Disney Villains" list, with author Javi Moreno accusing the character of removing "the innocence of an entire generation."[128] Scar also toppedAbout.com's "Top 10 Disney Villains" countdown; author David Nusair concluded, "There are few figures within Disney's body of work that are as deliciously reprehensible and vile as Scar ... heightened by Jeremy Irons' gloriously smug voice work."[129] Nusair also included Irons among the "Top 5 Celebrity Voice Performances in Animated Films", acknowledging the fact that although the actor "has played a lot of villains over the course of his career ... none have had the lasting impact as Scar fromThe Lion King."[130] TheOrlando Sentinel ranked Scar the "sixth-greatest Disney villain of all time".[131] Similarly,Babble.com also placed the character at number six.[132] Included in the website's "12 most famous Disney villains from worst to best" countdown,Yahoo! Movies ranked Scar second best,[133] whileMoviefone ranked the character sixth.[134]E! ranked Scar fifth, with author John Boone writing that the character "plotted one of the most painful deaths in Disney history, so you know he'll never be forgotten."[135]Animation World Network ranked Scar the sixth-best animated villain.[56]
CNN considers Scar one of "Disney's scariest characters."[136][full citation needed] While ranking the character fifth,The Stanford Dailywrote, "From his habit of sadistically toying with his prey to his dumb hyena coven to the way he leads the kingdom of Pride Rock into a period of starvation and sorrow, he's a backstabbingdictator of an uncle."[137]Richard Crouse ofMetrocited Scar's "Long live the King" as the character's "most evil line".[138] Aside from Disney and animation, Scar is often revered as one of the greatest movie villains of all time.[139]Digital Spy featured the character who, according to authorSimon Reynolds, "underlined the sheer blackness of his heart by ruthlessly killing Simba's father,"[140] among the "25 greatest movie villains".[141] Similarly,Entertainment Weeklyranked the character the "twenty-fifth-most vile movie villain" ever,[142] whileTotal Filmranked Scar sixty-seventh.[143]
Deja remains best known for animating several of Disney's most famous villains, admitting to preferring animating villains over heroes.[25] However, afterThe Lion King, Deja finally decided to take a break from animating villains in order to avoidrepeating himself,[25][144] subsequently refusing to animate villainJudge Claude Frollo inThe Hunchback of Notre Dame in favor of working onHercules fromHercules,[58] along withMickey Mouse in the animated shortRunaway Brain.[145] Comparing Scar to other villains that he has played, Irons said that he "measures very highly," having "charm," "Machiavellian qualities" and being "iconic in some of the things he says."[31]
Scar became the firstDisney villain to successfully explicitly murder someone.[dubious –discuss][146]The Lion King—dubbed the studio's "darkest" film at the time of its release[68]—was unprecedented, in terms of its serious themes, namely guilt, murder, treachery, revenge, and death, specifically the on-screenassassination of one of the film's heroes.[147] According to IGN, "The film's story concepts of morality and mortality was new for Disney,"[148] withThe Washington Post predicting that "the death of the heroic Mufasa will be the most widely debated aspect ofThe Lion King, with people taking sides as to whether such things are good or bad for kids, just as they did over the killing of Bambi's mother."[68] Similarly,Variety opined, "a generation that remembers the death of Bambi's mother as traumatizing should bear that experience in mind, when deciding who goes toThe Lion King."[149] Film critics and parents, alike, expressed concern that Scar's violent ways would frighten and disturb younger viewers.[150] Referring to Scar murdering Mufasa,The New York Timesquestioned "whether this film really warranted aG rating."[94] Critics also cautioned Scar's death;Movieline warned audiences that the film "shows afairy tale's dark sense of justice," for example, when "Scar was eaten by his hyena allies, after betraying them."[151]
"Death, something not really touched on in the last three animated Disney tales, is very much at the forefront of The Lion King. In a scene that could disturb younger viewers, Mufasa's demise is shown. It is a chilling moment that is reminiscent of a certain incident in Bambi. The film also contains a fair share of violence, including a rather graphic battle between two lions. Parents should carefully consider before automatically taking a child of, say, under seven years of age, to this movie."
TheLos Angeles Timeswarned that "The on-screen death of Mufasa and a violent battle at the finale may disturb small children,"[152] echoed byThe Philadelphia Inquirer.[122] However, film critics also felt that Disney's treatment of Scar was, at times, too light-hearted and comedic, with theDeseret Newscomplaining, "a climactic battle between Simba and his evil Uncle Scar is [a] very bad choice, near the end, as Simba and Scar battle inslow motion, a serious moment that seems unintentionally comic."[153] According toThe Seattle Times, "Some critics have complained that the movie is too funny and good-natured to accommodate the rather grim story it's telling."[65] Considered "an odd mix of deadly seriousness and slapstick humor, Simba fights Scar to the death," while "intercut with ... Poomba [sic] ... doing a parody ofTravis Bickel. [sic]"[154]
Although universally acclaimed, Scar has sparked considerable controversy, regarding the character's appearance and personality, specifically his darker-colored fur and alleged sexuality. The general public, however, appears to have remained largely oblivious to such concerns, according to David Parkinson, author ofThe Rough Guide to Film Musicals.[155] According toThe Washington Post, aDetroit Free Press columnist felt that "Scar, clearly, is meant to represent an evilAfrican American, because, 'while Simba's mane is gloriously red, Scar's is, of course, black."[156] Meanwhile, Scar's mannerisms and voice, which, according toNightmare on Main Street: Angels, Sadomasochism, and the Culture of Gothic's author Mark Edmundson, resemble "a cultivated, world-weary, gay man,"[157] has been deemedhomophobic, by some commentators, because, according toThe Independent, "the arch-villain's gestures areeffeminate"[158] while, in addition to the film being "full of stereotypes,"[159] the character "speaks in supposedgay cliches."[160] Susan Mackey-Kallis, author ofThe Hero and the Perennial Journey Home in American Film, observed that Scar is "more effeminate [and] less brawny ... than" both Mufasa and Simba.[161] Additionally, "Even though [Scar] would be expected to mate with one of the lioness, he is never seen intimated by any."[146] These allegations are inconsistent with the facts about real lions: dark manes indicate higher testosterone levels, and experiments show that male lions, accordingly, find dark-maned models more intimidating, while lionesses find them more attractive.[162]Slant Magazinedefended the studio, explaining that Scar's black mane is simply an example of "the animators' elementary attempts tocolor-code evil for the film's target audience."[163] Similarly, authorEdward Schiappa wrote in his bookBeyond Representational Correctness: Rethinking Criticism of Popular Media that Scar's voice was simply meant "to convey the sort ofupper-class snobbishness evinced by George Sanders' performance as Shere Khan inThe Jungle Book."[164]
ruben a. aquino the lion king interview.
| Films |
| ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theatre | |||||||||||
| Television series | |||||||||||
| Characters | |||||||||||
| Music |
| ||||||||||
| Video games |
| ||||||||||
| Attractions | |||||||||||
| Other media | |||||||||||
| Related | |||||||||||
| Characters | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Films |
| ||
| Television |
| ||
| Live events | |||
| Video games |
| ||
| Other media |
| ||
Walt Disney Animation Studios film characters | |
|---|---|
| Introduced in 1930s–1940s | |
| Introduced in 1950s–1960s | |
| Introduced in 1970s–1980s | |
| Introduced in 1990s–2000s | |
| Introduced in 2010s–2020s | |
| Related | |
