The lion king
THE LION KING I Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner, aka Pumbaa and Timon, discuss the Disney remake…
Timon and Pumbaa speak!
In the improvisations, there’s a very different, filthy version of this movie they could’ve put together,” chortles Seth Rogen. “We definitely cursed,” adds Billy Eichner. “They just won’t use it.” The pair are telling Teasers how they reined in their R-rated comedy sensibilities for Jon Favreau’s remake of The Lion King. They provide the voices of warthog Pumbaa and meerkat Timon – the photorealistic visuals are entirely created by VFX studio MPC Film – and built their chemistry during Favreau’s extensive rehearsals. “It was in those first sessions that we were able to come up with a naturalistic dynamic,” explains Rogen. “We were performing it as if it was a live-action movie.”
Do you recognise yourselves when you see the film?
SETH ROGEN There are elements of my physicality that I’ve seen infused into the character. The animals don’t do anything that the animals themselves couldn’t do, so they’re not incredibly physically expressive. But what’s interesting is how the minutiae of the people kind of work their way into these animals.
BILLY EICHNER The meerkat is much smaller than I am, because I am kind of a tall, large beast. But Timon has a very big personality, so I hope people enjoy the big personality coming out of a small little guy.
How much have you been able to relate to your characters?
SR [laughs] I relate in some ways. I try to have an attitude as Zen as Pumbaa’s, but I also think that a lack of responsibility for the course that the world takes is not good. There are positive and negative lessons to be taken from Timon and Pumbaa’s philosophy. [laughs]
BE I love what a big personality Timon has, and he has a really big sense of entitlement for a small creature. That’s always really funny to play. And I’m highly opinionated and a little impatient. And also, Pumbaa and Timon – until Simba comes along, they’re all they’ve got. So that’s a sweet combination. Do you subscribe to the hakuna matata (no worries) way of life? SR I worry a lot. And constantly.
It’s the only reason I am where I am. It’s 100 per cent based on neuroses. BE We are both Jewish actors, so… SR Exactly. [laughs] “No worries” is not something that got us here. It would be easier if we were hakuna matata.
You’re known for some pretty R-rated comedy. Were you surprised to be approached for a Disney film?
SR My only philosophy with making movies has been, “Would I go see this?” And although I do like dirty R-rated films, I also go see The Jungle Book and Pixar movies. I go see movies that aren’t exclusively filthy. This, in a major way, ticks a box of, “Is this a movie I’d be excited to go see in theatres if I had nothing to do with it?” And that’s really my only guiding philosophy. The truth is, I don’t get asked to be a part of these things that often. [laughs]
BE It was actually a fun challenge to have to be funny without relying on the usual crutches of curse words and raunchy, edgier humour. Usually, we don’t have to be censored in any way. Here, we have to watch what we’re saying but still maintain the comedy. That was actually a fun and unique challenge.
SR Yes, that I hope never to have to do again. [laughs]
ETA | 19 July / THE lION KING OPENS NEXT MONTH.