<P> The original plot of The Lion King revolved around a rivalry between lions and baboons . A baboon himself, Scar was their leader . After this plot was abandoned, Scar was re-written into a rogue lion lacking any blood relation to both Mufasa and Simba . The writers eventually decided that making Scar and Mufasa brothers would make the film more interesting . An abandoned character, at one point Scar owned a pet python as a sidekick . Because the film was originally intended to be much more adult - oriented, Scar was to have become infatuated with Simba's childhood friend and eventual love interest Nala, wanting the young lioness to rule alongside him as his queen and consequentially banishing the character when she refuses . This concept was to have been further explored during a reprise of Scar's song "Be Prepared", but both the idea and the song were ultimately completely removed from the film because they were deemed too "creepy". To further emphasize the character's villainy and tyranny, the writers loosely based Scar on German politician Adolf Hitler . According to The Jerusalem Post, Scar's song "Be Prepared" "features goose - stepping hyenas in a formation reminiscent of a Nuremberg rally ." This idea was first suggested by story artist Jorgen Klubien . </P> <P> According to the directors, "(a) patronizing quality" was vital to Scar's role in the film . Minkoff told the Los Angeles Times, "When Scar puts the guilt trip on Simba, that's an intense idea...probably something that is not typical of the other Disney pictures, in terms of what the villain does ." Additionally, Scar serves as a departure from previous Disney villains because they "came off at least as buffoonish as they were sinister". Because Scar is the film's main antagonist, supervising animator Andreas Deja believed that "villains work really well when they're subtle", explaining, "to see them think and scheme and plot is much more interesting than showing them beating somebody up ." By blaming Mufasa's death on an innocent Simba, Scar ultimately triggers "a cycle of guilt, flight, denial and redemption, as the hero goes into self - imposed exile before finally reconciling with his father's memory, returning to face his wicked uncle and generally coming of age ." The character's first line in The Lion King essentially summarizes the entire film, providing foreshadowing . It reads, "Life's not fair is it? You see I - well, I...shall never be King . And you...shall never see light of another day," subtly revealing the plot as well as "the reason why (Scar) decides to murder his own brother ." </P> <P> Tim Curry and Malcolm McDowell were originally considered for the role of Scar . However, Curry left the role due to Home Alone 2: Lost in New York and the role was ultimately won by Jeremy Irons because of his classical theater training; the directors had deliberately wanted Scar "to come across as a Shakespearean character ." Successfully recruiting Irons for the film was considered an unprecedented achievement for the studio because, at the time, it was rare for a dramatic actor of Irons's caliber to agree to voice an animated character, especially immediately after winning an Academy Award . In fact, the Oscar - winning actor nearly declined because, in fear of jeopardizing his successful career, he was "(h) esitant to jump from a dramatic role to an animated feature ." Prior to The Lion King, Irons was famous for starring as several villains and antagonists in live - action films "geared towards adults ." Although he had starred in a children's film before, the actor admitted that it did not mirror the success of The Lion King, a film that has since gained notoriety for its cast of well known, award - winning Hollywood actors, which animation historian Jerry Beck referred to in his book The Animated Movie Guide as "the most impressive list of actors ever to grace an animated film ." </P> <P> As directors, Minkoff and Allers "work (ed) very closely with the actors to create their performance ." Describing Irons as "a gentleman and a brilliant actor," Allers revealed that the actor was constantly offering "extra interpretations of lines which were fantastic ." Producer Don Hahn recalled that Irons "really wanted to play with the words and the pacing," specifically referring to a scene in which Scar, voiced by Jeremy Irons, coaxes Simba onto a rock and tricks the young cub to stay there and await his father's arrival alone, dubbing it "a father and son...thing ." According to Hahn, "The comedy in (Irons's) inflection comes from Scar sounding so disdainful he can barely summon the will to finish the sentence ." Irons's physical appearance and mannerisms served as inspiration for Scar's supervising animator Andreas Deja, namely his flicking his paw in disgust . Critics have cited physical similarities between Irons and Scar . </P>

Who does scar's voice on the lion king