By: Cynthia Ayala

Not one of my more clever article titles, but amusing nonetheless…to me, myself and I anyway.

In any case, two decades ago Disney brought ‘The Lion King’ to screens everywhere and seventeen years ago the brilliant Disney movie with it’s wonderful and cultural music score stampeded over Broadway. But the legacy, far from dead, continues to thrive as ‘The Lion Guard’ begins production.

The new animated television will pick up after ‘The Lion King’ as it follows Kion, the second born cub of Simba and Nala, as he assumes the role of leader of the Lion Guard, a group of the bravest and brightest tasked with preserving and protecting the Pride Lands.

Launching first with a one-hour long TV movie set to premiere in all 2015, the show will be geared towards children ages 2 to 7 and their families with the series set to debut afterwards in early January of 2016 on Disney Junior and the Disney Channel.

Much like with the Lion King movie, wildlife experts at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida will serve as consultants for the show. As a show geared for the next generation, the show will incorporate themes of conservation, family and community as well as teaching children how to solve problems, highlighting creative thinking and diversity.

As the cartoon follows Kion, it will focus on his decision to go against tradition by not assembling a team of young lions to serve with him but rather choosing his friends, who he believes are better suited for the job –Bunga, a fearless honey badger; Fuli, a confident cheetah; Beshte, a happy-go-lucky hippo; and Ono, an intellectual egret. Stories will also include special appearances by Mufasa, Timon, Pumbaa, Rafiki, Zazu and Kion’s older sister, Kiara, the future Queen of the Pride Lands.

Remember, this is before The Lion King II as it follows Kion and his own adventures. I may be 22 right now, but I’m incredibly excited about this!

Source: New York Daily News, Pop Dust, Film