1. Sean Connery was Disney's first choice to play Mufasa.
2. The iconic opening lyrics "Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba/ Sithi uhm ingonyama..." for "Circle of Life" literally translates to "There comes a lion/ Oh yes, it's a lion."
3. Tim Rice (who co-wrote the lyrics for the film's songs) originally wanted ABBA to be on the soundtrack. After ABBA declined, Rice asked Elton John.
4. "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" was the first song Tim Rice and Elton John completed for the film. It was also originally supposed to be sung only by Timon and Pumbaa.
5. "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" was almost cut from the movie because it did not fit the film's father-and-son theme.
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The song was put back in the film after Elton John (who wrote the lyrics) saw an early cut of the film and made it clear that it NEEDED to be in. In fact, John said the reason he agreed to work on the film was to write a Disney love song.