Jon Favreau has been exceptional when it comes to filmmaking. Ever since his Iron Man films, the director has shown his talents in numerous other genres, including Disney movies. While his Jungle Book live-action even won an Oscar, his The Lion King remake secured a nomination and went on to gross about 1.6 billion dollars worldwide.
Loyal Disney fans loved the movie, calling it extraordinary. But there was one person who was particularly distraught. Elton John, who was instrumental in creating the original music for the original movie, felt the remake was disappointing and devoid of the classic’s magic.
Elton John Was Disappointed By The Lion King Remake
Lately, there has been a trend of making live-action remakes of Disney movies. While most have been successful, movies like The Lion King have been extremely successful at the worldwide box office. Grossing over 1.6 billion dollars around the globe (via Box Office Mojo), the Jon Favreau directed ‘lion-tale’ has been widely hailed as the best Disney live-action remake of all.
However, there have been people who were severely disappointed by the movie, including celebrated singer Elton John. Back when it was released, he opened up about how the movie failed him and how the Favreau-directed movie messed up the music, which was supposed to be its best part (via GQ).
“The new version of The Lion King was a huge disappointment to me, because I believe they messed the music up. Music was so much a part of the original and the music in the current film didn’t have the same impact. The magic and joy were lost.”
Elton John, whose musical score from the original even won an Oscar, felt the soundtrack was unable to perform in comparison to the original’s soundtrack, and thus the movie turned out to be entirely disappointing for him.
Elton John Felt He Was Not Welcomed Or Respected
Music for a Disney film is as essential as oil for a lamp, without which it won’t be able to perform. Elton John, whose Can You Feel The Love Tonight with Tim Rice for the original continues to dominate the hearts of Disney fans, felt distraught to know how disappointing the soundtrack for the original was.
Furthermore, he was equally disappointed and felt wrong to not have been invited to create or help in the music of the remake (via GQ).
“I wish I’d been invited to the party more, but the creative vision for the film and its music was different this time around and I wasn’t really welcomed or treated with the same level of respect. That makes me extremely sad.”
While the Candle in the Wind hitmaker was let down by the remake, he praised the Lion King stage musical for keeping true to the music. Despite his critical remarks, the audience has continued to enjoy the remake.
Both the original and live-action remake of The Lion King can be streamed on Disney+.
