Why Scar Is A Perfect Villain

Scar is the best villain of the animal type I have ever seen.

[@SweetOrangeGirl]

I always liked to use his quote, “I’m surrounded by idiots!” for whenever I read about the stupidest things.

[@smurvin]

You know some people think he gets worse in the second half of the movie but I don't think he really does; instead he just shows the audience who he really is. If you think about it his behavior makes sense because, in spite of his suave demeanor, he really is just a whiny man baby who wanted the role of king for the power not the responsibilities and didn't know what to do with them once he got the role. If you think about it the fact that the movie begins with him going "all woe is me" like a moody teenager shows how immature he really is deep down. Hell I think Zazu telling him "Didn't your mother ever tell you not to play with your food?" and thereby comparing him to a child also hinted at that. And him going from that whiny big baby back to the suave, manipulative schemer near the end when he tries to get Simba to convince the lionesses he "killed Mufasa" shows the suave schemer was really just a mask all along.

[@d1kgaws12]

He just becomes more detestable in the second half.

[@jaelynnelson3455]

Ok but can we plz g8ve scar credit for how smart and manipulative he was. (He convince all the lionesses and simba he was good)

[@smurvin]

@@jaelynnelson3455 Oh no he definitely was; being smart and effectively manipulative while also being a whiny crybaby aren't exactly mutually exclusive things. He's just a whiny crybaby when he's not trying to manipulate others or put his plans in action.

[@nicholassims9837]

Someone In Colinlookback Maleficent video comment on how Scar can never be truly happy and that bossing people around would get boring .

[@jorgebersabe293]

Which is exactly the kind of attitude Simba had at the beginning of the film. Unlike Scar, Simba learnt that being King comes with responsibilities.

[@Garagelab164]

Original: Perfect villain Remake: Perfect at being boring villain

[@jaelynnelson3455]

More like trash villian (In the remake)

[@Bam_Bizzler]

I think he is the solo reason why i love theatrical/maniacal villans. They're so over the top, a lil zesty, ridiculous but captivating

[@PeninsulaPaintings]

Some things also to mention: Villains are often a mirror to the protagonists. Scar is the type of King that Simba could've become if he stayed on his path of self indulgence and immaturity. Simba saying "I thought a King can do whatever he wants" compared to Scar saying "I am the King, I can do whatever I want!" What Scar needed was humility, something Simba developed as he grew older. People often wonder why Scar didn't kill Simba after Mufasa died, why did he make Simba run just to set the Hyenas on him? Simple, Zazu said it at the beginning: "Didn't your mother ever tell you not to play with your food?" That's what Scar does. He toys with his prey. He wanted to prolong Simba's suffering and terror for as long as possible, because he's a psychopath.

[@mcmptn]

That really adds such great depth to an already beautiful movie. So ultimately, Simba chooses whether he will be like King Scar or King Mufasa. When he's at the pool with Rafiki, Simba says, "That's not my father; it's just my reflection," thus admitting that his life is not a reflection of his father. Then he returns to battle against Scar...almost like he's still battling against different sides of himself. (He's still a little selfish, for example; he was hesitant to return to the kingdom and tried dismissing Nala with "Hakuna matata!" when she explained the problems they were having...but Simba also wants to do the right thing and fulfill his destiny, even if it brings up painful issues like facing his past.) Ultimately, Scar is defeated, and Mufasa says, "Remember!" a final time through the clouds...so Simba has chosen which king he will be more like; his life will indeed be a reflection of his father. Dang, that's a beautiful ending! Just when I thought the movie couldn't possibly get any better! As for Scar playing with the jerboa but not killing Simba, I think it's just because Scar's a coward. He doesn't have the spine to kill Simba outright, but to prove himself, Scar has to bully other species who aren't as strong or as clever as he is. Mufasa, by contrast, is strong enough to beat up almost anyone, but he chooses not to fight unless he's left with no other alternative, and even then, he holds back. (He could've broken the hyenas' backs with a single swipe of the paw or crushing bite, but they all walk away from the fight with minor injuries. They're not even limping. His worst enemies caught in the act of trying to kill his son, and he still won't maim or kill them, even though he could do so easily, and no one would call his actions unjustifiable.) I completely agree with Scar being a psychopath. The scariest thing is there's the slightest bit of truth in what he says, even though the other 99% is pure lies, so his words sound reasonable and logical. He could make you believe anything he wanted, and what he wants you to believe is whatever benefits him, no matter what it costs you. Very creepy!

[@BG-be8di]

yes, exactly as you said, often the villains are like a mirror to the protagonists; but at least, unlike Scar, Simba learned to love through of his family and friends, and through that one always seeks to do the right thing, right?, And of course, he also had the teachings of his father that made him the good king that he is, trying to be his best version.

[@BBMacsWorld]

The "long live the king" line gives me chills everytime I hear it

[@silashurd3597]

I just rewatched this movie a few days ago and my heart was absolutely beating during that scene

[@Suirioujin]

The Lion King is litteraly my oldest memory, I watched the movie so many times the disk wasn't working anymore and was quite damage, spite it never fell on the ground or any other damage I'm sure that at one point, I could litteraly play the whole movie in my brain with the exact sentences pronounced in it. Btw, I don't know for English, but in French, Scar has the sqme voice as Claude Frollo, and this guy was ( he died few years ago unfortunately ) without any doubt the greatest French voice actor, even to this day

[@jaelynnelson3455]

Im a 2008 baby and we had an old tv and i swear my parents would be like "Which movie tape" and hold up 3 movies Id got to my drawer grab the lion kong and put it in their hands and theyd be like "OF COURSE"

[@SweetOrangeGirl]

My parents said I liked to try and listen to The Lion King (I think it was just the songs, though) in a couple of different languages.

[@Stussmeister]

Having been fortunate enough to have grown up during the Disney Renaissance, I see some parallels between Scar and another Disney villain, Jafar. Both of them are jealous of the current ruler and wish to take the throne for themselves, both essentially turn their kingdoms into dark wastelands after assuming power, both employ manipulative and underhanded tactics as well as minions who eventually turn on them, and both speak in voices that quite often drip with sarcasm.

[@ImpoSher]

My FAVERITE song disney ever made is "be prepared" from scar that he sang

[@cristianleano8827]

Same

[@ImpoSher]

@@cristianleano8827 the middle part "NO KING NO KING LA LA LALALA" "IDIOTS THERE WILL BE A KING" "uh but you sa-" "I WILL BE KING!" really drives home scares motives

[@treykeith652]

I'm Sorry To Say, I Wasn't Prepared

[@kingdareth09]

SCAR HELP ME!

[@jasonchaos236]

​​ Long live the king 😈😈😈😈😈

[@amberbradshaw1461]

😂

[@Clown_the_Clown]

Don't capitalize every word

[@kingdareth09]

@@Clown_the_Clown 🤓🤓🤓

[@silashurd3597]

Scar will forever be one of the most iconic villains in animation!🤩 At least In my book

[@kifujinqueen2488]

I believe that The Lion King has a mix of three of Shakespeare's works. Simba is a mix of Hamlet and Prince Hal in Henry IV Part 2. But Scar is outright Richard III. Even the themes of fascism relate to Richard III, specifically Ian McKellen's version from 1995.

[@mcmptn]

Scar: I'm surrounded by idiots! Banzai: Now you, Scar, I mean, you're one of us... So did he accidentally call Scar an idiot?

[@kingagrabowska9366]

In the ''live action'' (CGI) remake the writers tried to make Scar more sympathetic. - Songwriters practically castrated ''Be prepared''. If they were worried about the Nazi march in the song they could just change the visuals, like every other song, which are just animals running now. - He sounds like he's about to cry when he kills Mufasa when in the original he was clearly enjoying killing his brother. Also, instead of the epic throw, Scar just swats at Mufasa with his paw. I guess it was supposed to be more realistic. - They also made him be in love with Sarabi and bitter that she chose Mufasa instead of him. On the surface the idea of Scar still somewhat loving his brother, unrequited love, and being looked down upon because he's a runt sound interesting but the movie never does anything with it. He does the same terrible thing he did in the original but he's less into them which makes them fall flat.

[@andreasmeelie1889]

I actually love the idea of Scar being in love with Sarabi and her not wanting him. I just wish it was written better. Lol

[@ToppyDreemurr]

welp first like lmao Jokes aside though, Scar has ALWAYS been my #1 favorite Disney villain of all time and still is He's manipulative, cunning, and of course evil and even when he's not a strong physically he's still a smart lion and highly manipulative and that's what makes him great (Especially with the fact he did this all to his family just to be king!)

[@lhadzyan7300]

It´s so interesting that the greatest times when Scar is very active, including the scene where he takes position as ruler of the Pride on the Pride Rock all that happens at NIGHT, whereas both Simba and Mufasa did all on the DAWN time and were mostly active on DAY time. Maybe something of this also caused to ruin the balance of nature on the Pride after all, as he goes into the opposite way than the other kings before and after him. This is still reused on the Lion King 2 sequel as Zira, Vitanni and Nuka time on leading activity also happens on night time or at dusk time or at cloudy times too, whereas Kovu eventually goes active alongside Kiara at day time too.

[@drereviews8868]

The lion king is my favorite films and one of my biggest inspirations for becoming a writer and I love the story, music, etc but I do often forget how great scar is as a character and villain

[@josuetapia315]

Scar is my favorite Disney villain of all time but I was completely disappointed that Jeremy Irons was replaced in the live action, there just some performances you just can't replace

[@joshualowe959]

DID YOU KNOW: In the comic book Disney Villains: Scar Volume 2, Scar actually got the hyenas to serve him by freeing them from the tyrant, The Queen of The Bone Eaters, A.K.A. The Hyena Queen.

[@dairydregone7146]

Davy Jones is Disney's best live-action villain. Heck, when is this guy gonna talk about Davy Jones?

[@starkilr101]

There was an issue with mufasa being king. He does understand how the world works and uses the circle of life as a simile, as well as an example, but he also acts a lot like a philosopher king. He does more proselytizing and making grandiose statements rather than committing to action, except on a couple occasions when it’s his last resort.

[@mackenziecarver6807]

Scar is my favourite villain in Disney.

[@hunterolaughlin]

Scar: “I’m surrounded by idiots.” Dark Helmet: “I’m surrounded by a**holes.”

[@jaelynnelson3455]

I love scar and i feel like he ssuper UNDERRATED. Hes just 1 of those villians you LOVE TO HATE. Litteraly the first thing that pops into my mind when i hear "Lion King" is the BE PREPARED scene

[@nicholassims9837]

Anyone noticed Scar as many similar traits to Prince John from Robin Hood not just being lions who but want to be king , are tyrants hate there older brothers Mufasa and Richard , are manchilds who cant take criticism.

[@Aight7]

The lion king 1 and 2 are masterpieces 💓

[@BlackBlood3K]

Can I point out that Ed the hyena is literally "Special Ed". He's the definition of a special school.

[@Crasher1982]

I love this kind of thing. Thoughtful and deep, analyzing characters and such.

[@LeoChaseTheMythMaster]

Scar is probably my favourite Disney villain.

[@LeoChaseTheMythMaster]

With the best song.

[@elmasterdezoologia6641]

Scar, the leonine embodiment of the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man

[@80sdreamwave32]

Scar was perfect villiam in 1994 but 2019 jhe just ok

[@Disneyfan82]

I thought it kind of epic when he said " This is my kingdom, my legacy!"

[@joshualowe959]

It's kinda of disappointing that to this day, we never knew what kind of relationship Scar had with Zira

[@vilmublues752]

Personally, I always imagined her as more of an insane fangirl and that Scar didn't think nearly as highly of her and just appreciated her as a good follower.

[@nicholassims9837]

​@@vilmublues752like Joker and Quin ?

[@vilmublues752]

@@nicholassims9837 Kinda, but I don't see Scar being abusive towards her.

[@haloexmachina8100]

Scar is such a fascinating character.

[@TheFacelessStoryMaker]

Another thing to note is Mufasa never respected Scar. In the film when Scar says "Oh I was first in line. Until the little hairball was born." Mufasa says he is MY son and YOUR king. Not my son and your nephew. He seemed to not even regard Scar as his brother but just another one of his subjects. And the only reason Mufasa visited Scar was because he wasn't at the ceremony for Simba. Nothing else. Not to see his brother and see how he was doing and talk to him like a brother should.

[@nicholassims9837]

You do realize Scar called his own nephew a hairball that's a much more of an insult then anything Mufasa said

[@yahyakhalid6160]

3:40 those slouched shoulders actually indicated sarcasm to convey the point

[@JustDuckiest]

I miss good Disney villains

[@everettparker1313]

This was an Incredible Masterpiece Video for Scar My Fourth Favorite Disney Antagonist’s. Jermey Irons did a Legendary Performance Bringing this Funny and Terrifying Villain to Life.

[@Belarovis]

We are talking about the classic version. Very important distinction

[@snaketooth0943]

When the video got to the "long live the king" part it cut to two ads for me. XD

[@Crasher1982]

Jeremy Irons played his heart out in this role. He was perfect. Great job bringing Scar to life.

[@joshualowe959]

Both Frollo & Scar are perfect villains because they both are complete monsters.

[@brandonscott5544]

GREAT VIDEO

[@AdurianJ]

"Long Live The King" is such a good line because it is said about the new king when the old dies. But when Scar say it heuses it to telegraf his intention to kill Mufasa. I live in a monarchy and exactly this happened after the old kings death was announced. The new king was celebrated with "Lomg Live The King"

[@Bro_that_cant_sleep]

Scar betraying the Hyenas was better in this movie than the LA one cuz the LA Scar said he only wanted to fill Simba, but in this one he didn’t care about them and back stabbed them when he could

[@Trevan2412]

Fun fact, Frolo and Scar are voiced by the same person in French

[@MrGabeanator]

Jeremy and Andreas combined what make scar so awesome

[@matthewbolitho-jones]

I like Scar

[@Kittenmax15]

But also notice that mufasa enters scars darkness while scar never enters mufasas light showing how mufasa is willing to see scars perspective but scar is unwilling to see mufasas perspective

[@Adi-21FCB]

I feel if scar was the older one, it would give him even more of a reason to betray and kill mufasa

[@TylerAStinson]

He was a perfect villain because he was right also happy 30th Lion King even though the 30th is next but I’m celebrating early

[@severus5550]

Long live King Taka

[@jefry8393]

An u talk about the traditonally animated disney movie called bluebeard

[@pixieezakura9421]

His German voice is INSANE! Check it out, great vibes 🩷

[@hattanalshutaifi4587]

Not only scar is one of most evil Disney villain but also the worst uncle and brother in history of family betraying killing his own brother and attempting killing to own nephew who both love him as family but he cares nothing for them he just want be king for his selfish reason so he gains what he want with nether regard nor consideration of his subjects and kingdom betraying his hyenas minions to save his own skin by blaming them claiming it was their own ideas so he is not gonna be blamed for this nor taking responsibility for his misdeeds and attempting to kill his nephew again despite showing him mercy by saying it leave here and never return to kingdom he ruined and being defeated by simba and fall to grounds where he meets hyena he has the nerve to called them friends despite being the fact he mistreated and lying to them by promise they will never be hungry again betraying by calling them enemies put blaming on them so he avoided responsibility for his brother death too bad for him the hyena not gonna falls for his lies and they want to make him pay for the lies and broken also getting comeuppance killed burned and devoured hyena he betray is well-deserved satisfying and fitting

[@miscellaneoussarnian5282]

You should focus on Hades next

[@Simbala-bq5vy]

Or Ursula she's also pretty dark

[@neocortex8198]

envy totally didnt lead to the worst most brutal regimes in human history... totally not

[@ignorant1126]

The only thing I don't like about Scar in this film is (hear me out) the designs Early and renaissance Disney films have a knack of drawing the villains as 'bad' archetypes of society and heroes as 'good' archetypes. Aladdin is young, attractive with a perfect complexion while Jafar has the features of actual middle-eastern men (like a beard/big nose). Meanwhile The Lion King has a clearly flamboyant, gay villain. They even designed him with long nails and eyeliner. Mufasa gets to be tall with masculine features like a stoic expression, broad nose and small eyes It really goes to show, for me at least, that 90s Disney wants to paint gay men as cunning or malicious. Just my interpretation though

[@erinelizabethmsw5137]

There’s interesting videos on KZbin about queer coding you may find interesting. It’s totally a thing. I don’t know that it was “on purpose” in the Disney renaissance, but it’s definitely there.

[@pixieezakura9421]

I also don't know what Disney's intention was (and we will never know), but I was very shocked when I heard this interpretation of another YT, because I didn't get why someone would portray Gays like that. Then I researched and history has used media for a loooooong time to paint gay people as xyz. BUT, and that's a huge but: why do it in children's movies when children don't even know yet that there are many sexual orientations?

[@ignorant1126]

@@pixieezakura9421 To associate early on that strong, robust men are good while scrawny feminine man are bad

[@hunterolaughlin]

I think it’s because originally Scar wasn’t supposed to be related to Mufasa and Simba and was going to be a rogue lion who was just jealous of Mufasa’s position of power and wanted to kill him, but the writers decided Scar being Mufasa’s brother would strengthen his motivation and relationship with the characters and make him more dangerous as a threat from within the family that the heroes wouldn’t suspect. I think the design is a leftover from the original draft when Scar was just a rogue lion and that’s why he looks different from Mufasa and Simba.

[@pixieezakura9421]

@@hunterolaughlin that's an interesting take! Didn't know they had whole other plans with scar 😳

[@georgeprchal3924]

Could have been, he was in the first part, after killing Mufassa he became a chump who caused global warming somehow and was punked by some hyenas. Sher Khan would have totally kicked his ass.

[@smurvin]

He wasn't a chump he just didn't know what to actually do with the power he was given. Also he was "punked" by the hyenas because he knew he couldn't manipulate them anymore and, without manipulation, there's nothing he can really do. He did put up a decent fight against Simba but it's one lion vs. more than few hyenas so...

[@OpticalSorcerer]

I'll just say it: I DESPISE animal-centric films, except for movies like Zootopia. Had TLK been wirh humans, I'm sure I'd have LOVED it--plus it'd be one of the highest-grossing black films ever.

[@nicholassims9837]

Why do you hate animal centric movies ?

[@OpticalSorcerer]

@@nicholassims9837 Tried to avoid that word, but it's because of the environemnt; with most animal films, it feels like I'm watching a nature film, in a way. Zootopia os an exception given that the animals are bipedal and live in human-like environments.

[@nicholassims9837]

@@OpticalSorcerer then what about Robin Hood , Chicken Little ,and Sing 1 and 2 ?

[@OpticalSorcerer]

@@nicholassims9837 I didn't have that issue with them; they were just boring, plot-wise.

[@dannyjorde2677]

I loved Scar for the first half of the movie, but he stopped being interesting when he took over.

[@smurvin]

Again, like I said, he didn't know what to do with the power once he got it which is why he started acting out and dropped the "smooth" shtick until Simba came back. He didn't get "less interesting" he just showed his true colors.

[@gnc623]

I actually think Scar is an overrated villain. Once he gets power, he becomes boring. While most villains keep becoming more villainous and over-the-top through the climax (and this includes Gaston, who I also think is an overrated villain) Scar peaks early in the middle of the film after killing Mufasa and never really tops or equals that again. Jeremy Irons does a good job of voicing Scar, but that's about where I quit being very impressed. Also, while Scar is not stupid, we're told through the movie that he is a brilliant mind, that that is what makes up for his lack of physical strength in comparison to Simba or Mufasa. The problem is we never really see him be brilliant. It's not like he pulled off some Palpatine-level scheme in taking over the kingdom. He killed his brother for the throne in a plan that could have been concocted in a day's time. So he's not a bad villain, but I've never understood why people rave about him so. He doesn't even make my top 10 animated Disney villains list. I actually prefer Shere Khan to Scar. Even his villain song "Be Prepared" is relatively good, but again I can think of songs that surpass it like "Poor Unfortunate Souls" and "Hellfire." Now as far as Frollo being your favorite animated Disney villain, I am definitely in your camp! Frollo, IMO, is Disney's best animated villain!

[@smurvin]

Were we ever told he's really "a brilliant mind"? The only one who says that is, well, him; even the hyenas don't really take him seriously until he promises he can help them get into the pride lands. I think him being smart but not the genius mastermind he thinks of himself as was kind of the point.

[@nicholassims9837]

Plus it was to show how unfit Scar was to run a kingdom he met have won the battle ( Kill his brother and exile his Nephew, ) but not the war the third act

[@machomachoduck2096]

According to Jim Cummings, he was always supposed to be the one performing ”Be Prepared”. The fact that Jeremy Irons lost his voice had nothing to do with it.

[@primevalyautja1305]

Jurassic Park and Lion King are Not Perfect Movies. No Fucking Movie is perfect.

[@alejandromolinac]

Always wished I would had liked this flick….. just personal preference…. Always had a hard time connecting with talking animal cartoons…. Always preferred humans….

[@vetarlittorf1807]

Scar is not a villain. He is the rightful king who wanted to improve on the system. I'm being serious.

[@pixieezakura9421]

Did you watch another Lion King than we did? 😂

[@vetarlittorf1807]

@@pixieezakura9421 No. I just don't see how he's the villain when he ended the oppression of the hyenas. Hyenas eat their prey clean off the bones, which prevents diseases from spreading and ruining biodiversity. Scar also abolished the hereditary system of the Pridelands in favor of a meritocracy. And don't start with the drought nonsense. Lions don't control the weather. Scar had nothing to do with the drought and it can't have been plaguing the land for long because nobody had died. But of course, the privilaged elite starts complaining when their stomachs start to gurgle and blame Scar for everything when all he asked for was a little patience. And he was right, because it started to rain that same night. And who cares if he killed Mufasa? Lions kill each other for dominance all the time. Mufasa was a tyrant anyway.

[@nicholassims9837]

He is a villain he kills his own family members and he didnt help the eco system he made it worse by over hunting .

[@vetarlittorf1807]

@@nicholassims9837 So? He's a lion. Lions kill for dominance. And there is no evidence that there was any over-hunting.

[@nicholassims9837]

@@vetarlittorf1807 you are nuts they are Lions yes but are still anthropomorphic in a way to be civilized being on the same level as The Jungle Book or Tarzan animals as why else Did Nala calm down and not try to eat Pumbaa again when she recognized Simba? And it doesn't matter if lions kill for donimaince Scar killed his own brother with out a second thought and the stampeded was pure cowardice if Scar was honorable he would have challenged Mufasa one on one when they were on equal grounds . Not to mention making his own nephew who was a cub think got his father killed thats pretty villainous. And they is over hunting they dont need to say it we see it just fine and both 2019 and Play make it clear the hyenas are forcing the Lions to over hunt .2019 Sarbie " Your over hunting Scar " , play Nala " Were being forced to over hunt "

[@josuetapia315]

Scar is my favorite Disney villain of all time but I was completely disappointed that Jeremy Irons was replaced in the live action, there just some performances you just can't replace

[@MrAspiringactor]

What about the Broadway actors who’ve played him? Or Jim Cummings and David Oyelowo? He was great in the role, don’t get me wrong, but he was already replaced thousands of times

[@Itariatan]

​@@MrAspiringactorDifference is Chiwetel Ejiofor did not do a good job whatsoever. And I like the guy, so it's really unfortunate

[@MrAspiringactor]

@@ItariatanI wasn't talking about the performance just the idea this person had that no one can ever replace Jeremy Irons when this isn't even the first time he's been replaced.

[@Itariatan]

@@MrAspiringactor The person above literally said "There are some performances you just can't replace." They're talking about the film, not musical theatre.