Robert Guillaume The Lion King DVD Interview

The Lion King DVD Interview

Voice Cast: Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, Whoopie Goldberg, Robert Guillaume
Director: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
Genre: Family, Comedy, Animation
Rated: G
Running Time: 89 minutes

The unforgettable coming of age story starring the king of the jungle will be told once again as never seen before. Now extensively restored and remastered, experience The Lion King from its magnificent musical opening over breathtaking African vistas to its emotional climax. The all-star vocal talents - including Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, and Whoopie Goldberg - rip-roaring comedy, and uplifting messages of courage, loyalty and hope make this timeless tale entertainment for all ages.

Two all new picture and sound presentations revive the journey of Simba (Matthew Broderick), the feisty lion cub who "just can't wait to be king." But his envious Uncle Scar has plans for his own ascent to the throne, and he forces Simba's exile from the kingdom. Alone and adrift, Simba soon joins the escapades of a hilarious meerkat named Timon and his warm-hearted warthog pal, Pumbaa. Adopting their carefree lifestyle of "Hakuna Matata," Simba ignores his real responsibilities until he realises his destiny and returns to the Pride Lands to claim his place in the "Circle of Life."

The Lion King Diamond Edition will bring the classic film to 3D and Blu-ray High Definition for the first time since its original release in 1994. The film was the highest grossing motion picture of 1994 worldwide and winner of two Golden Globes and two Academy Awards.

With all the emotion, heroism and Academy Award-winning music of the original, and featuring groundbreaking immersive bonus features, this breathtaking animation will take old fans back to their "Hakuna Matata" days and attract new cubs to the pride. The Lion King is a must have for all Disney fans.

Special Features:
The Lion King: A Memoir from producer Don Hahn

Bonus features for Blu-ray & DVD:
Timon & Pumbaa's Vacation Safari
Deleted Scenes
Timon: Behind The Legend
Before the Beginning: The Making of The Lion King 3
"Grazin' in The Grass" Music Video

The Lion King

RRP: $39.99
Blu-ray: $49.95
Diamond Edition Superset: $59.95

Buy Now from Fishpond

Robert Guillaume The Lion King DVD Interview

Robert Guillaume is the voice of Rafiki in The Lion King.

Question: What originally inspired you to participate in The Lion King?

Robert Guillaume: It was rather ordinary, I was simply asked to come down and audition for one of the parts in The Lion King.


Question: How did you go about creating a voice for Rafiki?

Robert Guillaume: Well, that was a process! The Lion King Director and I sat in a room for what seemed like days before we ever came up with anything. We simply didn't know where to go and how to find the voice. The Director began to ask me "what kind of voice did I think would be suitable?" After what seemed like an unnecessarily lengthy process I finally arrived at a little comic voice that I had been doing at parties and what not; it was a voice I had used in conversation. The voice was my rather poor imitation of a Jamaican accent and I didn't know at the time but the characterisation always intrigued me and I found it funny, so I kept doing it!

Finally we trotted it out and Don Hahn was immediately taken by it and said "it's very interesting, let's do a couple of things with that and see how it holds up".


Question: Do you still remember your lines from The Lion King?

Robert Guillaume: Yes, one or two. I remember the song "Asante sana Squash banana, Wiwi nugu Mi mi apana" and that is actually, I understand, a Swahili expression that means thank you. I also remember "I know your father" and lines like that.

Question: What did you enjoy most about the role you played in The Lion King?

Robert Guillaume: What I enjoyed most about it was actually putting the voice on tape. I would go into the studio on Monday and tape something and then they would call me back, maybe the next Monday to tape additional material. I enjoyed the process of speaking in that voice. One of the curious things we found out was that with the nature of the character, I was free to invent almost anything within that voice charactisation and that I enjoyed, very much.


Question: Why do you think The Lion King has been such a success with families, worldwide?

Robert Guillaume: I think it is because The Lion King is a wonderful story of family and they tell me that it is similar to Hamlet, although I don't know about such things, I would say the writers have found that connection.


Question: Have you seen The Lion King 3D? What are your thoughts of the 3D edition?

Robert Guillaume: Yes I have, I saw it about two weeks ago in Hollywood. I liked it, I thought the idea was interesting, from the beginning and the properties of 3D is an excellent way to explore the geography in which The Lion King characters cavort. I am not all that up on 3D but I believe a 3D edition of The Lion King is an excellent idea to expand the visual.


Question: You've starred in a lot of television shows - what do you enjoy about TV?

Robert Guillaume: I enjoy the immediate gratification of TV with an instant signal that you're doing well or badly…


The Lion King
RRP: $39.99
Blu-ray: $49.95
Diamond Edition Superset: $59.95

Interview by Brooke Hunter