When it premiered in 1994, The Lion King, one of the most profitable animated films of all time, grossed almost a billion dollars in box office revenue, and the newly released remake is still breaking box office records. In the original Lion King, some people were correct to point out misogyny and bigotry, and in this article, we discuss portrayals of gender in the remake. Has Disney learnt the lesson?
The new Lion King also reflects on the stories of men's lives, epitomized by women's visual isolation from the circle of life (a father holding up his son). But the remake presents meaningful relationships between men and a balanced message about masculinity.
Holding the same storyline, music, most of the same story, and even recreating shots from the original, the new Lion King clings tightly to the original. Yet in the movie, the male actors are more optimistic male role models than the original ones. Mufasa (James Earl Jones), Simba's (Donald Glover) boss, is a loving, nurturing, and selfless king. He tells his son that even a king is okay to be afraid, and that a real leader "looks for what he can give," not for what he can take. Mufasa often exhibits physical love for his son, playing with him and cuddling him in the film at different stages. A stark example of toxic masculinity is Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor), the wicked brother of Mufasa. Scar is angry, greedy, disrespectful, vengeful, hungry for power, and manipulative most of all. His demise sends a strong warning about toxic masculinity's ultimate expense.
In its focus on male leadership, the Lion King reboot is also fundamentally faulty. While the remake presents stronger female leaders in both movies, Sarabi (Alfre Woodard), Nala (Beyoncé), and Shenzi (Florence Kasumba) lack true strength. For instance, the likelihood that a female lion might rule is not zero consideration, which is exceptionally rich as real lion prides are matriarchal.
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