Jeremy Irons Disappointed With Scar’s Appearance In The Lion King

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Even though he starred in the incredibly popular animated film The Lion King – which has earned nearly $1 billion worldwide – Jeremy Irons wasn’t pleased with how his character, Scar, looked. In the original Disney movie, Irons provided the voice for Scar, the brother of Mufasa, voiced by the legendary James Earl Jones.

Jeremy Irons recently shared his thoughts on the design of his famous character, Scar from The Lion King, in an interview with GQ. He recalled that while recording his lines, he was filmed and sketched by artists in the studio. He naturally assumed the animators would base Scar’s look on his own features, especially considering roles like those in Die Hard with a Vengeance and Lolita.

I was working at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford when they asked if I’d be interested in The Lion King. I initially thought I’d be watching a screen with a lion and trying to match its mouth movements. But when we got to the studio – it was somewhere in London, though I don’t quite remember where – it turned out to be a large room with storyboards covering all the walls.

I was filmed and sketched by a team who would feed me lines. This process continued over several months. I remember a second session, possibly in Canada, where the team had developed more ideas and materials. They continued to observe and film me as we experimented with different lines and explored the character further.

Jeremy Irons was genuinely upset when he watched the finished film, particularly because Mufasa appeared so strong and impressive. In contrast, Scar looked scruffy and unhealthy, with a poor tail and mane. Seeing this, Irons wondered if that’s how the filmmakers had perceived him during the sketching sessions. It was then he understood they hadn’t been sketching him while he was recording his lines.

The Academy Award-winning actor was even more upset at the premiere of The Lion King at Radio City Music Hall when the audience cheered after Scar died. He reportedly said, “This can’t be happening,” and couldn’t understand why people were celebrating the death of a character he considered to be so well-developed and enjoyable.

Scar is a truly memorable Disney villain, and Jeremy Irons’ performance has cemented his place in Disney history. Though he had some issues with how Scar looked, Irons actually enjoyed the overall experience, describing it as both “great” and “very free.” He was even more pleased when Jeffrey Katzenberg, then head of Disney, called to tell him that his portrayal of the villain was a major reason why The Lion King was so successful.

Irons expected Disney to send him a gift after the film’s huge success, similar to how Robin Williams received a Picasso. However, that didn’t happen. Despite not getting a gift, The Lion King was a massive achievement, winning numerous awards and launching a whole franchise.

Jeffrey Katzenberg called me while I was in Italy and told me The Lion King was a massive hit, and that my character had played a big role in its success. I was really happy and secretly hoped I’d receive some kind of thank you gift, remembering how Robin Williams, who played Mrs. Doubtfire, had also worked for Disney. And, honestly, Disney isn’t known for paying a lot.

Robin contacted the studio, pointing out that he’d earned them a lot of money with the film Mrs. Doubtfire, but they’d only paid him a small amount. He then received a Picasso painting in the mail. He jokingly hoped his boss, Jeffrey, would be upset about it, but Jeffrey wasn’t. Despite his success, he didn’t actually get to keep the Picasso.

Beyond the film sequels like The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride and The Lion King 1½, several TV series, and two realistic remake movies, the story has also been a successful Broadway musical, winning a Tony Award for Best Musical.

Even thirty-one years after it first came out, The Lion King remains a beloved animated classic, and its continued popularity since 1994 only confirms its status. While Jeremy Irons initially had some reservations, he likely now recognizes the incredible and lasting impact he, along with the rest of the cast and crew, helped create.

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2025-10-21 23:09