Lion King 1½ (1.5), SE of Lion King 2, and Finding Nemo DVDs

David Lambert · 05-09-2003, 03:51 PM

Video Store Magazine and Video Business both have articles up today discussing the early 2004 release of The Lion King 1½ (or "1.5" if you like). VSM best describes it:

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The pint-sized Lion King will return in a home video version next spring to bridge the action from the wildly successful original 1994 animated movie and the hit 1998 direct-to-video sequel, Simba’s Pride.

The Lion King 1 1/2 , due in early spring 2004, will offer an “irreverent edgy humorous backstory” to the original told from the unique perspectives of Timon and Pumba, who are again voiced by Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella, explained Buena Vista Home Entertainment president Robert Chapek.

Matthew Broderick will reprise his role as Simba, and the Academy Award-winning duo of Elton John and Tim Rice — who won an Oscar for Best Song for “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” from the original Lion King — return with the new song, “Meerkat Rhapsody.”

Disney has high hopes for 1 1/2 — which will not sport a subtitle in the fashion of The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride — and has enlisted top talent and production values.

Video Business points out that other stars will be returning, plus new stars joining:

Also reprising their characters will be...Robert Guillaume (Rafiki), Moira Kelly (Nala), ...Edward Hibbert (Zasu in LK2) and Jim Cummings (Ed).

New to the voice cast will be Julie Kavner as Timon's mom, Jerry Stiller as Uncle Max and Shaun Fleming as Young Simba.

Furthermore, in what VSM quotes BV's Robert Chapek as calling a " 'year of The Lion King' marketing and promotional event", there will be a new SE edition of Lion King 2. As VB puts it:

A special DVD edition of The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride, which stands as far and away the all-time best-selling DVD premiere movie with more than 15 million copies sold on VHS since 1998, and was the first movie inducted into the DVD Exclusive Awards' Academy of Artistic Achievement in 2001, will be released in fall 2004 loaded with extra features.

It concludes that statment by noting that "LK2 was one of the first Disney animated movies released on DVD and did not come with many extras".

So we will get LK-Platinum on 10/7/03, followed by LK 1.5 in the spring of 2004, followed by LK2 - SE in the fall of 2004.

Finally, both VSM and VB are stating this very simple fact about Finding Nemo:

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Video Store Magazine:
Finding Nemo, due on home video this fall, will open on 5,500 screens and have major tie-ins with McDonald’s, Pepsi, Frito-Lay, Kellogg’s, Dreyer’s and Orville Redenbacher.

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Video Business:
Finding Nemo will come out of video in fourth quarter.

James Reader · 05-09-2003, 04:28 PM

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Finding Nemo, due on home video this fall, will open on 5,500 screens and have major tie-ins with McDonald’s, Pepsi, Frito-Lay, Kellogg’s, Dreyer’s and Orville Redenbacher

I hope the "quick" turn-around on Finding Nemo doesn't mean the supplements are compromised (assuming it's 2 discs).

All other Pixar 2 disc sets have had a considerably longer window until released - Monsters, Inc was almost a whole year.

Robert Spalding · 05-09-2003, 05:13 PM

5,500 screens? wow that is a lot!

Peter Kline · 05-09-2003, 05:14 PM

Finding Nemo is the first Pixar film to be released during the summer. It's been in the works for a looooooong time, about 3 years plus. According to one animation site, there will be lots of stuff for the DVD. However, it's the film that is important don't you think?

Buzz (not Lightyear) is very good on it. Pixar made many changes during the last six months. One thing to look for will be a "preview" of the next Pixar film, "The Incredibles" with a character from the film popping up in Nemo.
The new trailer is beautiful by the way.

GlennH · 05-09-2003, 05:25 PM

LK2:SE ... Wow, now we're to the point of having Special Edition re-releases of direct-to-video animated sequels. The mind boggles.

I can't wait for the inevitable "Hunchback of Notre Dame II: Special Edition." I think the current DVD lacks an audio commentary.

I think I'd prefer barebones DVD releases of Bambi, Cinderella, Aladdin, etc., while we wait for the Platinum versions.

**HTF Ads**

Joel C · 05-09-2003, 07:02 PM

THe6y already had an SE re-release of Belle's Enchanted Xmas, I think.

David Lambert · 05-09-2003, 07:21 PM

Correct, Joel. They did at that!

Brenton · 05-09-2003, 11:07 PM

All this new information leaves only one question in my mind: WHY?

LK2 wasn't that good as far as I remember, and it certainly isn't confusing enough to require a "mid"-quel.

David Lambert · 05-10-2003, 05:27 AM

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All this new information leaves only one question in my mind: WHY?

Because Disney feels sure it can make them some money.

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LK2 wasn't that good as far as I remember

It was quite popular among the kiddies and most of their parents. Certainly their best-selling direct-to-video release ever, IIRC. My 5-year-old knows that one inside and out, although I myself have only seen it once.

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...and it certainly isn't confusing enough to require a "mid"-quel.

Disney certainly didn't think it was...it was probably just convenient placement of the new story that they had worked on. Such placement allowed them to have "young Simba" again, a character which was a large part of the success of the first movie. I'm sure they hope it figures into more money for this release as well.

Conclusion: It's all about making a profit. Without that motivation, noone's in business to begin with. :wink:

Colin Jacobson · 05-10-2003, 10:22 AM

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THey already had an SE re-release of Belle's Enchanted Xmas, I think.

Yes, but that was one of the most pathetic excuses for a "special edition" that I've ever seen. All it included was a short featurette and a few other minor pieces. Pathetic! Disney's Santa Clause SE was similarly crappy. Studios, don't "upgrade" unless you're actually willing to put some substantial materials on the discs!

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5,500 screens? wow that is a lot!

Yes, it is - it's so many that this CAN'T be right. Nothing's ever opened on more than about 3700 screens - Nemo's going to top that by almost 50%??? That's gotta be wrong - 3500 makes a lot more sense...