Elton John has offered his opinion on the live-action remake of The Lion King, simply expressing his displeasure by noting they “messed the music up”.
Back in June of 1994, the world was undoubtedly changed by the premiere of The Lion King, an animated interpretation of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet delivered by the fine folks at Disney.
To say the movie was a success is something of an understatement, with the film becoming the highest-grossing movie of the year, and at one point serving as both the highest-grossing movie and animated movie of all-time. Needless to say, The Lion King was something of a phenomenon.
This year though, we were treated to a live-action remake of the film, just in time for its 25th anniversary. While critical reviews were mixed, its success has been ensured, with the movie currently serving as one of the highest-grossing movies to date, and its photorealistic nature seeing it top the list of highest-grossing animated films.
However, one person who isn’t too fond of the remake is Elton John, who composed and performed all the original songs from the 1994 original, going on to win a Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and Grammy Awards in the process.
Check out the 2019 version of ‘Can You Feel The Love Tonight’:
Speaking to GQ recently, John explained that his issues with the 2019 remake lie solely with the music, claiming that the film doesn’t have the same impact as the original as a result.
“The new version of The Lion King was a huge disappointment to me, because I believe they messed the music up,” he explained.
“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 in the charts that it had 25 years ago, when it was the bestselling album of the year. The new soundtrack fell out of the charts so quickly, despite the massive box-office success.”
While Elton John was recruited to help rework some of his original songs for the new film, it seems that his contributions were not enough to help the movie earn a passing grade in his eyes.
“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,” he explained.
“That makes me extremely sad. I’m so happy that the right spirit for the music lives on with the Lion King stage musical.”
In related news, Elton John is set to visit Australia for the final time next month, kicking off his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in the country on November 30th, and staying on our shores until its conclusion on February 1st, 2020.
Check out Elton John’s ‘Can You Feel The Love Tonight’:
Elton John Farewell Yellow Brick Road Australia 2019-2020
Saturday, November 30th, 2019
HBF Park, Perth, WA
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Sunday, December 1st, 2019
HBF Park, Perth, WA
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Wednesday, December 4th, 2019
Botanic Park Adelaide, Adelaide, SA
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Thursday, December 5th, 2019
Botanic Park Adelaide, Adelaide, SA
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Tuesday, December 10th, 2019
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets: Ticketek
Wednesday, December 11th, 2019
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets: Ticketek
Saturday, December 14th, 2019
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets: Ticketek
Sunday, December 15th, 2019
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets: Ticketek
Wednesday, December 18th, 2019
Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, QLD
Tickets: Ticketek
Thursday, December 19th, 2019
Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, QLD
Tickets: Ticketek
Saturday, December 21st, 2019
ICC Sydney Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Tickets: Ticketek
Monday, December 23rd, 2019
ICC Sydney Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Tickets: Ticketek
Tuesday, January 7th, 2020
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, NSW
Tickets: Ticketek
Thursday, January 9th, 2020
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, NSW
Tickets: Ticketek
Saturday, January 11th, 2020
Hope Estate, Hunter Valley, NSW
Tickets: Ticketek
Sunday, January 12th, 2020
Hope Estate, Hunter Valley, NSW
Tickets: Ticketek
Tuesday, January 14th, 2020
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, NSW
Tickets: Ticketek
Thursday, January 14th, 2020
Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, QLD
Tickets: Ticketek
Saturday, January 18th, 2020
A Day On The Green
Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton, QLD
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Sunday, January 19th, 2020
A Day On The Green
Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton, QLD
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Wednesday, January 22nd, 2020
Carrington Park, Bathurst, NSW
Tickets: Ticketek
Saturday, January 25th, 2020
Hanging Rock, Woodend, VIC
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Sunday, January 26th, 2020
Hanging Rock, Woodend, VIC
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Wednesday, January 29th, 2020
A Day On The Green
All Saints Estate, Rutherglen, VIC
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Friday, January 31st, 2020
A Day On The Green
Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley, VIC
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Saturday, February 1st, 2020
A Day On The Green
Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley, VIC
Tickets: Ticketmaster
