You probably sat down to watch Disney Junior with a kid—or maybe you’re just a die-hard Lion King millennial—and realized the voices in the Pride Lands sounded a bit too "Hollywood" for a spin-off. It happens to everyone. You hear Kion speak and think, Is that the kid from the sitcom? Then Bunga opens his mouth and you're certain you've heard that frantic energy somewhere else.
The truth is, The Lion Guard cast wasn't just a group of random voice actors. Disney actually pulled together an incredible roster of established stars, Broadway legends, and even some of the original 1994 film icons to bridge the gap between the classic movies and the new series. It’s a weirdly deep bench of talent for a show aimed at preschoolers, but that’s exactly why it worked for three seasons.
The Core Guard: More Than Just Kids
Kion is the heart of the show. If he sounded familiar, it’s because he was voiced by Max Charles. You might know him as young Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man or from his long stint on The Strain. Max has this specific quality in his voice—earnest but authoritative—which is exactly what you need for Simba’s son. He isn't just playing a "hero." He's playing a kid trying to live up to a massive legacy, and Charles nailed that subtle anxiety.
Then there’s Bunga. Oh, Bunga.
Honestly, Joshua Rush brought a level of chaotic energy to that honey badger that most actors would find exhausting. Before he was the "Brave" member of the Guard, Rush was making waves as Cyrus Goodman on Disney Channel’s Andi Mack. The contrast is wild. One minute he’s making television history in a groundbreaking live-action role, and the next he’s screaming "Zuka Zama" at the top of his lungs.
Diamond White played Fuli, the cheetah. She’s got this cool, detached vibe that perfectly balances out the high-energy boys in the group. White is a powerhouse; she was a finalist on The X Factor and later landed the lead role in Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur. Her casting gave Fuli a distinct sense of independence that felt earned, not just scripted.
Atticus Shaffer voiced Ono. Yes, that is Brick Heck from The Middle. If you ever wondered why the "keenest of sight" egret sounded so intellectual and slightly neurotic, it’s because Shaffer has basically perfected that character archetype over a decade of television.
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Lastly, we have Beshte, the strongest. Dusan Brown provided the voice for the friendly hippo. Brown’s performance is the glue. It's warm. It's steady. He’s since moved on to projects like Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, proving that the "kids" in this cast were actually some of the most talented young actors in the industry at the time.
Bringing Back the Legends
Disney knew they couldn't do a Lion King story without the heavy hitters. This is where The Lion Guard cast gets really impressive for long-time fans.
Rob Lowe replaced Matthew Broderick as Simba. Now, usually, when a major movie star is replaced for a TV show, it feels cheap. But Rob Lowe? He actually brings a certain "Dad energy" to Simba that works for this specific timeline. He sounds protective, a little bit tired, and very Regal.
But the real wins were the returning voices:
- Ernie Sabella came back as Pumbaa. It wouldn’t be Pumbaa without him. That gravelly, cheerful tone is literally irreplaceable.
- James Earl Jones actually returned for the pilot movie, Return of the Roar, to voice Mufasa. Hearing that thunderous voice one more time gave the show instant legitimacy.
- Blair Underwood took over as Makuu the crocodile, bringing a smooth, dangerous charisma to the pride lands' water-dwelling rival.
The biggest surprise for many was Gabrielle Union as Nala. She didn't have a massive amount of lines in every episode, but when she did speak, she had that Queen-like presence. It’s a testament to the show’s casting director that they were able to snag someone of Union's caliber for a supporting role in an animated series.
The Villains Had No Business Being This Good
If you think the heroes were well-cast, look at the bad guys.
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David Oyelowo voiced Scar. Let that sink in for a second. An Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actor—the man who played Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma—voiced the fire-spirit version of Scar. He didn't try to just mimic Jeremy Irons. Instead, Oyelowo went for something more sinister and ethereal. It was genuinely creepy for a kids' show.
Then you have the hyenas and outlanders:
- Kristofer Hivju: The man known as Tormund Giantsbane from Game of Thrones voiced Kenge the monitor lizard. He brought that same gruff, aggressive energy to a much smaller (but equally mean) creature.
- Ana Gasteyer: The SNL alum voiced Reirei the jackal. She’s funny, manipulative, and uses her comedic timing to make Reirei one of the more memorable recurring antagonists.
- Christian Slater: He showed up as Ushari the cobra. Slater’s signature drawl made the snake’s descent from "grumpy neighbor" to "villainous mastermind" feel surprisingly natural.
Why the Music Matters
The cast didn't just talk; they sang. A lot.
Unlike many animated shows where "singing doubles" are brought in to handle the difficult notes, most of this cast did their own vocal work. Beau Black, the primary songwriter for the series, wrote tracks that leaned into the specific strengths of the actors.
Diamond White's background in music meant Fuli got some of the more soulful, pop-adjacent tracks. Meanwhile, the legendary Christopher Jackson (original George Washington in Hamilton on Broadway) joined the cast later as Shujaa the Gorilla. When you have Broadway royalty showing up to sing about being "The Strongest," you know the production value is through the roof.
The Legacy of the Voice Work
The show wrapped up after three seasons, concluding with a finale that tied directly into the events of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride. It was a tricky needle to thread. The cast had to evolve. Kion went from a playful cub to a battle-scarred leader, and Max Charles’ voice matured along with the character.
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Most people don't realize how much work goes into maintaining the "Lion King sound." There’s a specific cadence to how characters in this universe speak. It’s Shakespearean but accessible. By mixing veteran actors like Gary Anthony Williams (Rafiki) and Kevin Schon (Timon—taking over for Nathan Lane) with fresh talent, the show managed to feel like a continuation rather than a cheap imitation.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Collectors
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of The Lion Guard cast or want to appreciate their work beyond just the 22-minute episodes, there are a few things you should actually do:
- Check out the Soundtrack: Don't just listen to the "Lion Guard Theme." Look for "Sisi Ni Sawa," a duet between Kion (Max Charles) and Jasiri (Maia Mitchell). It’s widely considered the best vocal performance in the entire series and highlights the chemistry between the two actors.
- Watch the "Beyond the Pride Lands" Clips: Disney released several behind-the-scenes snippets during the show's run. Seeing Atticus Shaffer record his lines for Ono provides a great look at how much physical acting goes into voice work.
- Track the "Hamilton" Connections: If you're a theater nerd, keep your ears open. Between Christopher Jackson and Renée Elise Goldsberry (who voiced Dhahabu the golden zebra), the Pride Lands are basically a Hamilton reunion.
- Compare the Scar Iterations: Listen to David Oyelowo's Scar back-to-back with Jeremy Irons from the original film. It’s a masterclass in how two different actors can interpret the same villainous DNA through entirely different vocal textures.
The show might be over, but the performances remain some of the best in modern Disney Television Animation. Whether it's the legendary James Earl Jones or the frantic energy of Joshua Rush, the cast is what ultimately made Kion's journey feel like it actually mattered in the grand tapestry of the Pride Lands.
Start by revisiting the "Battle for the Pride Lands" special. It’s the peak of the series' voice acting, featuring the full confrontation between Oyelowo’s Scar and Charles’ Kion. You'll hear the range of the entire cast in one high-stakes story arc. From there, you can explore the individual careers of these actors, many of whom have gone on to become major fixtures in live-action cinema and prestige television. It’s a deep rabbit hole, but for a fan of the franchise, it's one well worth jumping into.
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