The Color of Pride

The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (also titled as The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride) is a 1998 American animated direct-to-video musical drama film produced by Walt Disney Video Premiere. Directed by Darrell Rooney, it is the sequel to Disney Animation's 1994 film, The Lion King, with its plot influenced by William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and the second installment in The Lion King trilogy. Animated by Walt Disney Animation Australia, the film centers on Simba and Nala's daughter Kiara, who falls in love with Kovu, a lion from an exiled pride once loyal to Scar. Separated by Simba's prejudice against the pride and a vindictive plot planned by Kovu's mother Zira, Kiara and Kovu struggle to unite their estranged prides and be together. Most of the original cast returned to their roles from the first film with a few exceptions. Rowan Atkinson, who voiced Zazu in the first film, was replaced by Edward Hibbert for both this film and The Lion King 1½ (2004). Jeremy Irons, who voiced Scar in the first film, was replaced by Jim Cummings, who briefly provided his singing voice in the first film. The Lion King II: Simba's Pride was released by Buena Vista Home Entertainment on October 27, 1998. While not drawing the same attention as its predecessor, Simba's Pride received generally positive reviews from critics and audiences.