Some think Disney copied “Kimba the White Lion,” a Japanese anime aired in the U.S. in the 1960s. Others blame it on the circle of life.

Per Forbes, a March 2025 release would be consistent with Disney+’s pattern of releasing films on the streaming platform about three months after the theatrical release.

All of “The Lion King” was digitally created, save one shot that the filmmakers refused to divulge. And the focus was on making the animals as familiar-looking as they would be in nature.