Nemean Lion

The Nemean Lion is a minor character in the 1997 Disney animated film Hercules and its spin-off TV series.

Hercules
He was the scourge of Nemea who was feared by all its inhabitants. In the film, the Nemean Lion appeared in the "Zero to Hero" segment wherein he was sent by Hades to kill Hercules, however Hercules easily defeated him with a swift punch and a kick to the rear thus increasing Hercules' fame.

Hercules (TV series)
He also appeared in the animated series, where it is revealed that he also fought a young Hercules but believed that Hercules' friend Icarus was the one who defeated him. In the episode, after having defeated all of Nemea's warriors he grew bored and came to Athens hoping to find some half worthy heroes to fight him.

Trivia

 * Even in the original myth, the Nemean Lion could talk and utilizes arts of sorcery to magically transform into a woman.
 * The Namean Lion in the film bears a great resemblanace to Scar from The Lion King and its prequel.
 * Due to his body color, the lion in the movie could be based on the extinct Barbary Lion (a.k.a. Atlas Lion or Gautulian Lion), which was a popular subject among ancient antique.
 * In Once Upon a Time, the Nemean Lion doesn't appear. However, the creature was mentioned by Hercules when telling his adventures to a teenage Snow White. Also one, of his medals represents this creature.