The Lion King - Reo Māori Version

Standing out for its homegrown cast of 14 voice actors, its use of various mita to represent the royal pride of lions and the joking hyenas, and the inclusion of “little haka parts” that weren’t part of the original, the reo Māori version is the first-ever adaptation to have [Elton] John’s closing song translated in another language and performed by another artist.

– Spinoff writer Reweti Kohere on what makes the te reo translation of The Lion King different, 23 June 2022

For the first time ever in a feature film we are showcasing five different dialects, of which there are many throughout the motu, and for many people across Aotearoa they will be hearing these kupu for the first time.

– Producer Chelsea Winstanley on the film's te reo Māori dialects, Radio New Zealand, 22 June 2022

We had this dream back in 2016 to re-imagine films for our babies so they could go into public spaces and theatres, and see themselves and hear their reo on the screen.

– Producer Chelsea Winstanley on the inspiration for creating te reo versions of Disney films, Te Ao Māori News, 22 June 2022