Sir Elton John says The Lion King remake was a ‘huge disappointment’

Ouch, that must hurt

Elton John

by William Marriott |
Updated on

Sir Elton John has had his say on the latest Disney live-action remake of The Lion King, and if you're reading this Disney, you should probably look away now because he's not held back...

The singer, who wrote and performed songs for the original 1994 animated film, has said Disney "messed up the music" and felt "huge dissapointment" when he watched the film.

Despite calling the film "magnificent" on Instagram after the movie's premiere, Elton told British GQ, “Music was so much a part of the original and the music in the current film didn’t have the same impact. The magic and joy were lost.

“The soundtrack hasn’t had nearly the same impact on the charts that it had 25 years ago, when it was the best-selling album of the year.

"The new soundtrack fell out of the charts so quickly, despite the massive box-office success.”

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Gallery

Disney character voices - stacked

Scott Weinger and Aladdin from Aladdin1 of 29
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Scott Weinger

Scott Weinger voiced the lead character of Aladdin (1992).

Linda Larkin and Princess Jasmine from Aladdin2 of 29
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Linda Larkin

Linda Larkin voiced the character of Princess Jasmine in Aladdin (1992).

Kelly MacDonald and Merida from Brave3 of 29
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Kelly MacDonald

Kelly MacDonald played the lead character of Merida, the daughter of Scottish King Fergus in Brave (2012).

Billy Connolly and King Fergus in Brave4 of 29
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Billy Connolly

Billy Connolly played King Fergus in Brave (2012). He also voiced Ben and Joe Baker in Pocahontas (1995).

Albert Brooks and Marlin from Finding Nemo and Finding Dory5 of 29
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Albert Brooks

Albert Brooks played Marlin in Finding Nemo (2003) and reprised in the role in Finding Dory (2016).

Ellen DeGeneres and Dory from Finding Nemo and Finding Dory6 of 29
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Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres played the fish Dory, who was Nemo's sidekick in the first film. But, the fish didn't need to wait too long (well, 13 years) until she got her own film, Finding Dory (2016).

Idina Menzel and Queen Elsa from Frozen7 of 29
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Idina Menzel

Idina Menzel played Queen Elsa in Frozen (2013). She is set to reprise her role in Frozen 2 (2019).

Kristen Bell and Elsa from Frozen8 of 29
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Kristen Bell

Kristen Bell played Elsa's sister Anna in Frozen (2013). Kristen will reprise her role in Frozen 2 (2019).

Matthew Broderick and Simba from The Lion King9 of 29
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Matthew Broderick

Matthew Broderick played Simba in the 1994 version of The Lion King and reprised the role in The Lion King 2 (1998) and The Lion King 3 (2004).

Moria Kelly and Nala from The Lion King10 of 29
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Moira Kelly

Moira Kelly played Nala in The Lion King (1994), The Lion King 2 (1998) and The Lion King 3 (2004).

Auli'i Cravalho and Moana from Moana11 of 29
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Auli'i Cravalho

18-year-old Auli'i Cravalho took on the role of Moana (2016).

Dwayne Johnson and Maui from Moana12 of 29
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Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnson played Maui in Moana (2016).

Jodi Benson and Ariel from The Little Mermaid13 of 29
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Jodi Benson

Jodi Benson was cast as Ariel in The Little Mermaid (1989).

Christopher Daniel Barnes and Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid14 of 29
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Christopher Daniel Barnes

Christopher Daniel Barnes played Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid (1989).

John Goodman and Sully from Monsters Inc15 of 29
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John Goodman

John Goodman played Sully in Monsters Inc (2001) and reprised his role in the film's prequel Monster University (2013).

Billy Crystal and Mike Wazowski from Monsters Inc16 of 29
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Billy Crystal

Billy Crystal played fan favourite Mike Wazowski in both Monsters Inc films.

Mandy Moore and Rapunzel from Tangled17 of 29
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Mandy Moore

Mandy Moore played the lead role of Rapunzel in Tangled (2010).

Zachary Levi and Flynn Rider from Tangled18 of 29
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Zachary Levi

Zachary Levi played Flynn Rider in Tangled (2010).

Tony Goldwyn and Tarzan from Tarzan19 of 29
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Tony Goldwyn

Tony Goldwyn voiced Tarzan (1999).

Minnie Driver and Jane Porter from Tarzan20 of 29
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Minnie Driver

Minnie Driver voiced Jane Porter in Tarzan (1999).

Irene Bedard and Pocahontas from Pocahontas21 of 29
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Irene Bedard

Irene Bedard played the title character of Pocahontas (1995).

Mel Gibson and Captain John Smith from Pocahontas22 of 29
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Mel Gibson

Mel Gibson played Captain John Smith, the love interest of Pocahontas (1995).

Anika Noni Rose and Princess Tiana from Princess and the Frog23 of 29
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Anika Noni Rose

Anika Noni Rose played Princess Tiana in Princess and the Frog (2009).

Bruno Campos and Prince Naveen from Princess and the Frog24 of 29
CREDIT: u00a9 Getty/Disney

Bruno Campos

Bruno Campos played Tiana's love interest Prince Naveen (2009).

John C. Reilly and Ralph from Wreck-It Ralph25 of 29
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John C. Reilly

John C. Reilly playing the title character Ralph in Wreck-It Ralph. John went on to voice the character in the second film: Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018).

Sarah Silverman and Vanellope von Schewwtz from Wreck-It Ralph26 of 29
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Sarah Silverman

Sarah Silverman voices Vanellope von Schweetz in both Wreck-It Ralph films.

Tom Hanks and Tim Allen and Woody and Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story27 of 29
CREDIT: u00a9 Getty/Disney

Tom Hanks and Tim Allen

Tom Hanks plays Woody in Toy Story (1995), Toy Story 2 (1999), Toy Story 3 (2010) and Toy Story 4 (2019).Tim Allen plays Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story (1995), Toy Story 2 (1999), Toy Story 3 (2010) and Toy Story 4 (2019).

Robby Benson and the Beast from Beauty and the Beast28 of 29
CREDIT: Robby Benson voiced the Beast u00a9 Getty/Disney

Robby Benson

Robby Benson played the Beast/Prince Adam in Beauty and the Beast (1991).

Paige Ou2019Hara and Belle from Beauty and the Beast29 of 29
CREDIT: u00a9 Getty/Disney

Paige O’Hara

Paige O'Hara played Belle in Beauty and the Beast (1991).

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Although Elton did help with the film's latest release, adapting and changing the classic songs Circle Of Life and Hakuna Matata for the new soundtrack, he said he wishes he had been more involved in the production process.

Elton confessed, “I wish I’d been invited to the party more, but the creative vision for the film and its music was different this time around and I wasn’t really welcomed or treated with the same level of respect. That makes me extremely sad.”

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Elton's comments come after his heart-breaking revelation that he "still want my dad's approval."

Opening up in his new autobiography, Me, Elton admitted he spent his musical career "trying to show my father what I'm made of".

He told the BBC, "It's crazy, but I just wanted his approval. I'm still trying to prove to him that what I do is fine - and he's been dead for almost 30 years. Although he didn't really come to the shows or write me a letter to say, 'well done', I don't think he knew how to."

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