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Thirty years ago, Walt Disney Animation released one of its most iconic and beloved films of all time, The Lion King. The 1994 film told the story of Simba, a young lion cub who is destined to be king of the Pride Lands. When his father, Mufasa, is suddenly killed, a guilty Simba runs away. He is found by a meerkat and a warthog, who take him in and teach him to live life without worries. However, when Simba learns that his home is in danger, he returns to take his place as the rightful king.
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In The Lion King, Mufasa is purposefully killed by his brother, Scar, who wants to be king. Scar tells Simba that it is Simba’s fault his father died, because Simba ignored what Mufasa told him. Scar convinces Mufasa to leave, and then he takes over as king. He is a selfish king, and the Pride Lands suffer under his rule. Food all but vanishes and a drought hits the region, threatening the lives of everyone in the pride.
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And now, an interesting fan theory is speculating as to why there was a drought — and it has everything to do with Simba.
According to the fan theory, posted on Instagram by Prouddisnerds, the weather that caused the Pride Lands to thrive left the area when Simba ran away. To be more precise, it followed him to the lush tropical rainforest he grew up in with Timon and Pumbaa. The clouds followed Simba because he was the rightful king of the Pride Lands.
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You may remember that at the end of the film, Scar and Simba fight in the final battle for Pride Rock. As they fight, the clouds roll in, and the rain begins to fall. Simba defeats Scar and takes his place as king. After that, the drought disappears, the animals return, and the Pride Lands thrive once again.
Many commenters loved the theory, as it gave them a whole new way to view the much-loved film.
A fan theory that complements the themes of the work instead of nullifying them? I dare say this is good
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However, others took a more practical approach. They commented that, when Scar took over as king, he brought in his pack of loyal hyenas. The hyenas began overhunting, which caused other animals to leave. That threw off the ecological balance of the area, which, in turn, affected the weather patterns.
Whether or not the theory is true, it is fun to consider the next time you watch the 1994 animated film or even the 2019 live-action remake!
Do you think this fan theory holds water? Do you have any Lion King theories? Let us know in the comments!
