This is chapter 1 of my Christmas special: Movie Madness! In each chapter our favorite TLK characters will reenact several scenes from a blockbuster movie. This is the first chapter, where we do the The Godfather...Lion King Style! BTW I take requests, however I will only do movies, that are...up my alley, so to speak.
Cheers: JJZ-109
Original film: The Godfather (1972)
Michael Corleone: Simba
Vito Corleone: Mufasa
Fredo Corleone: Scar
Appolina/Kay: Nala
Connie: Kiara
Carlo: Kovu
Fabrizzio: Timon
Solazzo: Nuka
CHAPTER 1. THE LIONFATHER
Pride Rock, 1945
(Godfather opening theme)
"I believe in the Pridelands. The Pridelands have made my fortune...And I have raised my daughter in the Pridelander fashion. I gave her freedom, and taught her never to desire a family. But, she found a boyfriend. She went out the movies with him, she stayed out late with him...and I didn't protest." The old lion started.
"About two months ago she went out for a drive with her friends. They made her drink whiskey...and then, they try to...take advantage of her. But she resisted. She kept her honor. So they beat her like an animal. When I went to the hospital...her nose was broken. Her jaw was shattered, and she couldn't even weep because of the pain. She was m-my beautiful lioness..." The lion held back tears sniffled.
"Now she will never be beautiful again..." The man started to cry, but quickly shook it off. One of Mufasa's bodyguards handed him a drink and he nodded gratefully; sucking up his tears.
He then continued on.
"I-I went to the police...like a good Prideland citizen. These boys were brought to trial...and were sentenced to three years in prison. But then the sentence was suspended. Suspended the sentence! They walked free that very day! I stood in the courtroom like a fool, and these bastards smiled at me. That was when I said to my wife, we want justice...we must go to Don Mufasa." The lion finished.
He looked at the great lion in front of him. He had a flowing red mane, golden fur, and an expensive tuxedo with a rose in his jacket pocket. Mufasa sat back in his chair and looked the old lion over.
"You went to the police...why didn't you come to me first?" Mufasa asked his friend of many years.
"What do you want of me? I'll do anything for you if you can do what I ask." The lion begged.
"And what might that be?" Mufasa asked.
The lion looked at all the bodyguards in the room, before leaning forward and whispering in Mufasa's ear. Mufasa nodded and sighed.
"That I cannot do." Mufasa told him. The lion nodded sadly before Mufasa spoke to regain his attention.
"You said the judge suspended the sentence. Why?" Mufasa leant forward.
"I do not know." The lion admitted.
"Right...then the sentence will be reinstated." Mufasa told him and the lion's face lit up.
"How will you make that happen? The judge will never-" The lion started but was cut off by Mufasa.
"I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse."
The lion got up off his chair and kissed Mufasa on the paw.
Downtown Prideland City, days later
Mufasa sighed. Scar was waiting for confirmation that they were safe to start driving again. With all the tension between pride businesses now, they couldn't be too careful. Especially since they refused to take part in the narcotics trade. This had made them a target for several people.
The confirmation never came, and Mufasa got out of the car, frustrated. They were parked next to a small marketplace, and next to the road was a fruit stand.
"I'm going to buy some fruit." Mufasa told Scar, who nodded. Whatever the boss wanted.
Mufasa got out of the back seat of the car and walked over the pretty lioness running the fruit stand. With a smile on his face, Mufasa walked over to the lioness and started picking out oranges he wanted to buy, meanwhile, Scar leaned up against the car and yawned.
In the corner of his eye, he failed to notice the mysterious men in suits watch them, and take positions all around them in the crowd of people on the road. The brims of their Fedora hats covered their eyes, and they all seemed to reach into their jackets...
Mufasa was just paying for his oranges, when he suddenly felt a strange, sinking feeling. He wheeled around, and saw that a few members of the crowd weren't moving around, they just stood around him, Scar and the vehicle suspiciously. It didn't take him long to realize what was going on.
He sprung into action and dropped his oranges onto the road, hoping that he could get to cover behind his idle car.
Scar soon realized too, and drew a revolver hidden in his jacket. He raised it to fire, and but he fumbled it and it slipped out of his fingers; clattering to the ground.
"NO!" Scar cried and quickly bent over to pick it up, hoping that there was still some way of saving his brother's life.
Mufasa rushed up the car, but he was too late.
BANG, BANG!
Two .357 bullets smashed into his back, and he slumped forward onto the fender of the car. Several people that had heard the shots screamed, and evacuated the area along with the assailants. Scar and Mufasa were then left isolated in the middle of the road, and Scar bent over his dying brother's body.
"Brother...BROTHER! No..."
Louis' Italian Restaurant, days later
Simba looked over his well dressed enemies carefully. The man that had arranged for his father's assassination and the corrupt police officer that had approved of it. They all enjoyed their steaming dishes of pasta, with not a care in the world. This was meant to be a 'negotiations' dinner, but to Simba it was much more than that. This was when he avenged his father. They had already checked him for weapons, and he was supposedly 'clean'. But he wasn't foolish enough to take a weapon with him. He had planted one at the restaurant in advance.
"I'm just going to the restroom if you gentlemen don't mind." Simba said and stood up.
"Wait..." Nuka said and patted his pockets, jacket, and pants.
"He's clean...I checked him before." The officer told him and Nuka nodded.
Simba then left the table and headed into the restrooms, keeping as blank an expression as possible. His family hadn't wanted him to be a part of this feud, but as a son of Mufasa and an heir to the business, he felt it was his responsibility.
He casually entered the clean, yet empty restrooms and pushed open the door to a cubicle. Inside was an old-fashioned toilet, with a simple flushing mechanism wooden tank. He stuck his hand behind the tall up against the wall, and felt around for his weapon. His fingers wrapped around the cold metal of the revolver and he yanked it free of the tape.
Simba pocketed the gun and then turned to a mirror in the bathroom, where he began to tidy up his mane and straighten his jacket. He then exited the restrooms, and slowly walked back into the restaurant.
"Took you long enough." Nuke commented and Simba sat back down in his seat.
Nuka then started rambling on to Simba in Italian but Simba wasn't listening. He was completely zoned out, and fiddled with the revolver in his pocket.
Now, he thought and stood up sharply, before drawing the pistol.
BANG!
He put a bullet between Nuka's eyes, and would never forget the look of shock and surprise on the lion's face. He swiftly adjusted his aim onto the corrupt officer.
BANG! He shot him in the chest, but that didn't seem to satisfy him enough.
BANG, BANG! He shot him twice more, in the stomach and in the forehead. The man slumped onto the table, dead.
Waiters and the few people who were eating there quickly fled along with Simba.
Simba had finally put an end to them, and felt great satisfaction. He knew that he probably just put him and his family on the hit list of every major mafia pride in the Pridelands, but at least the two were dead. That was something he had been waiting to do ever since his father was attacked, and when the police officer struck him. He knew one thing for certain; he was no longer safe in Prideland City.
Corleone, Sicily. A few months later
Simba, Timon and Pumbaa casually walked their way across the Italian plains. They all wore white shirts, vests and had bandannas tied around their neck. Each of them also had a shotgun slung over their shoulder. Simba sighed, this landscape seemed all so perfect and peaceful compared to Prideland City.
They continued on past farms, where several Italian lionesses worked. They all pranced past the three of them, laughing and speaking among each other happily. Simba and his two body guards admired them all.
"You know, they say in Sicily, women are more dangerous than shotguns." Timon commented and Simba nodded.
That was when he saw one lioness stand up. She stood out from the many working there in her beauty, and Simba froze. He was caught in a trance as he looked into her icy blue eyes, and she seemed to be drawn to the lion staring at her.
"Mama Mia what a beauty." Timon commented and whistled.
He then noticed Simba completely motionless, just staring at the cream colored lioness. He shook his head and looked at Pumbaa with a grin.
"He's been hit by the thunderbolt." Timon commented.
Timon nudged Simba but he didn't respond. After just staring at each other for several moments, the lioness moved away and Simba snapped of his trance.
"Huh?"
"You can't hide it when you've been hit by the thunderbolt." Timon told him and Simba bit his lip.
(Godfather 'Speak Softly Love' Theme)
Speak softly, love and hold me warm against your heart.
I feel your words, the tender trembling moments start
We're in a world, our very own…
Sharing a love that only few have ever known
The three continued into the town of Corleone, the town that Simba's family name was taken from. The town of the mob. There were very few people in the area, due to the aftermath of World War Two. They walked through the quiet streets until they found a small, open bar. They took a seat and the owner walked up to them in a friendly manner.
"Ciao! Good hunt?" The owner asked them as he started pouring all four of them drinks.
"Yes. You know all the girls in this town ci? We some beauties coming down the road. One in particular hit our friend with the thunderbolt." Timon said and gestured towards Simba.
"Yes. The girls here are beautiful, but virtuous." The jolly Italian lion said in response.
"This one could seduce the devil. Such eyes! Such hair! Such a mouth..." Timon seemed to speak on Simba's behalf. Simba remained silent and sipped his drink.
"This one wore a red dress, and had a red ribbon in her hair. She looks more...Greek than Italian. Do you know a girl like that?" Simba described her, and suddenly the owner's smile seemed to fade.
"No. There are no girls around here like that." The owner said sharply and stormed inside his bar.
Shouts broke out from inside, and Timon's eyes opened wide in shock.
"Oh god...I understand. It's his daughter!" Timon exclaimed and quickly gulped down his drink so they could leave without trouble.
"Tell him to come here." Simba said calmly, obviously not afraid of the big lion or his two sons.
The owner appeared from inside, flanked by two heavily muscled lions. Simba cleared his throat and began to talk.
"I understand I offended you by talking about your daughter. I offer you my apologies, I am a stranger in this country, I don't know the customs very well. Let me say this...I meant no disrespect to you or her." Simba apologized, and the lions seemed to cool down.
"Who are you? What do you want with my daughter?" The big lion asked.
"I am a Pridelander-American hiding in Italy from the police of my country. My name is Simba. You can inform the police and make your fortune but then your daughter would lose a father rather than gain a husband. In any case, I want to meet your daughter. With your permission and under the supervision of your family. With all decorum. With all respect, I am an honorable Lion." Simba told him, and the lion smiled.
"Come Sunday morning. My name is Vitelli." The lion said and offered a hand to Simba, which he shook.
"What's your daughter's name?" Simba asked.
"Nala." Vitelli said.
That Sunday, Simba was officially introduced to Nala and her family. Simba caught on quick to the Italian culture, and slowly and naturally, the two fell in love. It made Simba seem to forget the tough life on the streets of Prideland City, and the mob conflict he left behind. They would wander the streets of Corleone as the sun set, just to be with each other.
Not many months later, they married.
Simba and Nala passionately kissed on the balcony of the hotel overlooking Corleone, and ran hands down each other's bodies. The world around them ceased to exist as they enjoyed each other's presence. But one day, in the back of Simba's mind, he knew he would have to return to Prideland City. Speak softly, love so no one hears us but the sky
The vows of love we make will live until we die
My life is yours and all because...
You came into my world with love, so softly love...
(Godfather theme)
More months later...
Simba stood in the church, around the baptismal font. Today was the baptism of his nephew, and he was the proud Godfather. Also taking place on that day, was his planned murder of all traitors or enemies of his family. His hit-men were all around the city, waiting for their targets. It all seemed to contrast to the good, peaceful event taking place in the church. He kept the coolest, straightest face as the priest recited the vows to him.
"Simba Corleone...Do you renounce Satan?" The priest started.
"I do renounce him." Simba said calmly.
Meanwhile...
A group of hyenas slowly stepped out of an elevator casually, only to face a lion wearing a suit and fedora hat. In his hands was a Thompson Submachine gun.
RATATATATATATANG!
Back at the church...
"All his works?" The priest continued.
"I do." Simba said.
At a hotel in Las Vegas
Banzai lay on a bed, relaxing as he received a well-earned back-massage. The door to the booth then opened and grumpily leant up and put his glasses on to see who the intruder was. It was another lion, with a handgun leveled at his face.
BANG! The bullet smashed through the right lens of his glasses and went through his eye, killing him.
At the church
"And all his works?" The priest asked.
"I do renounce them." Simba confirmed.
In the lobby of another hotel...
Shenzi Tattalgia casually walked across the lobby, into the grand revolving doors at the entrance. She pushed forward on them, but all of a sudden they stopped. They had been locked from the outside. She looked back behind her and saw another hit-lion wearing a suit, hat and rose. He held up his M1911 pistol and fired at his trapped victim...BANG, BANG, BANG!
In a bedroom nearby...
A businessman slept in with his wife, only to be disturbed and their bedroom door swung open. He looked up, about to lose his temper at the intruder, but his jaw dropped in horror when he saw the lions holding MP40s. They worked for Simba Corleone. They had found him.
RA-TA-TA-TA-TA-TA-TA!
The last thing he heard was the shrill scream of his wife.
At the church
"Do you believe in God the almighty, creator of heaven and earth?" The priest asked Simba and the others.
"I do." Simba said.
Outside the New York Supreme Court building
Zira Barzini stepped out of her car and noted a suspicious police officer walking opposite her. Her fears had been confirmed. It was a Corleone hit-man, disguised as a cop. That was why she brought body guards.
All of a sudden, she started sprinting up the stairs to the supreme court. Her bodyguards drew knives and turned on the 'police officer', who in turn drew a pistol and shot them both. He then adjusted his aim and lined up the sights over Zira who was rushing up the Court stairs.
BANG, BANG! The hit man shot her twice in the back and she tumbled back down the stairs.
At the church
The priest had finished the vows and the parents of the child; Kovu and Kiara, placed their hands on the baby, along with the godmother; Vitani, and of course, the Godfather...Simba.
"I baptize you in the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit." The priest announced and poured water over the baby's head.
Meanwhile, all the assailants over the world started to inspect and dispose the bodies of whom they had killed on Simba's orders...
Several hours later
Simba watched as the car with Kovu's dead body in it drove off into the sunset. That's what Kovu would get if he betrayed his family, especially to Barzini. Simba felt it was good riddance, but he could never let his sister, and the mother of the child he had just served Godfather to, find out. It was Kiara.
Simba walked back inside the huge house. He wasn't the same, honorable lion he had been only a few months ago. The mob, the family, the life in the underground Prideland City had changed him. He was now the head of the family; and would protect the business at all costs. He was the new Don Corleone.
Nala then waltzed into his office, completely unaware of what had just happened. She was about to speak when suddenly Kiara burst into the room, with tears streaming down her cheeks. She cried out in anguish and charged at Simba.
"YOU KILLED HIM YOU MONSTER!" She cried and ran up to Simba, but was stopped by bodyguard who grabbed her arm and restrained her.
"HOW COULD YOU DO THAT SIMBA! HE WAS A GOOD MAN! You k-killed him...W-why? You were our Godfather!" Kiara screamed and sobbed at the same time.
Nala was shocked at what was happening, and looked at her calm husband with wide-open eyes.
Kiara was dragged from the room and the doors shut behind them, leaving Simba and Nala alone in Simba's office, the one that had once belonged to his father.
"Simba...Is it true?" Nala asked. Simba remained his calm, composed self, but Nala could see the rage brewing inside him.
"Don't ever ask me about my business Nala." Simba told her and paced across his office.
"No." Nala said and Simba slammed his fist down on his desk in a rare outburst of anger.
"ENOUGH!" Simba yelled and his lip trembled in anger.
Nala was shocked. When he looked in Simba's eyes, she didn't see the gentle, loving lion she had fallen in love with back in Sicily. She saw a cold, renewed evil in his eyes. One that belonged to a mafia boss. There was a long and awkward pause between them, and Simba exhaled in frustration. He slowly began to compose himself again and forced himself to face Nala.
"Alright...this one time, I'll let you ask me about my affairs." Simba gave in and Nala shook her head, holding back tears.
"Is it true?" She whispered.
There was another long, and awkward pause between them. Before Simba finally shook his head.
"No." He told her and she sighed in relief.
He then hugged her and gave her a little kiss on the cheek, just to let her know it was all right. She then sighed and left his office, but Simba didn't follow. Nala was halfway down the hallway when she heard people enter Simba's office again. She turned back to see more lions in suits gather around Simba, and one lion kissed his paw.
"Don Corleone." Nala heard the lion say.
From that point on she knew the truth. Who Simba was, what he did, and who he had become. He was the Don of the Corleone Crime family. She felt tears slide down her cheeks as she watched her only love talk with his people. One lion then closed the door to the office, and Nala cried. She was married to the most powerful, corrupt and dangerous lion in all of Prideland City.
Good start? the Godfather always was one of my favorites. Any movies you guys would like to see Lion Kingized? I am taking requests! But if anyone says any 'bad' movies then your pal JJZ won't be happy. Try to select well known films with memorable scenes. This is my Christmas special people! Coming up next: Jurassic Park!
This has been JJZ-109, and as always...have a nice day.