#the-lion-king

#the-lion-king

"Roger Allers was a creative visionary whose many contributions to Disney will live on for generations to come," Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a statement. "He understood the power of great storytelling - how unforgettable characters, emotion and music can come together to create something timeless. His work helped define an era of animation that continues to inspire audiences around the world, and we are deeply grateful for everything he gave to Disney. Our hearts are with his family, friends and collaborators."

From his own childhood, Hargrave said, he has a lot of experience to draw on to relate to Scar's feeling of being "second best," and being "the villain" doesn't trouble him too much. Each night he and actors playing Zazu and Rafiki gather before the show, go through their makeup and puppetry sessions, and help each other get into their roles. "It's ritualistic that drops you right into character," Hargrave said.