- “Oh, come on! Is this all you people do? Isn't there anyone in Athens gutsy enough to fight the Nemean Lion?”
- ―The Nemean Lion[src]
The Nemean Lion is a minor character in the 1997 Disney animated film, Hercules and its spin-off TV series.
Appearances[]
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" song segment, where he was sent by Hades to kill Hercules. However, Hercules easily defeated him with a swift punch that knocks out one of his teeth and a kick to the rear end that sends him flying away like a football, thus increasing Hercules' fame.
Later, Hercules poses for a vase painting while wearing the Nemean Lion's pelt, noticing Phil reading off a list of Herc's celebrity duties. Herc is gradually annoyed and breaks his pose, much to the annoyance of the artist painting his pose, and eventually gets so frustrated he throws his club and shield at the vase. After the artist leaves in frustration, Hercules then removes the Nemean Lion's pelt when Phil is explaining to him that he wants to go to Olympus.
Hercules: The Animated Series[]
- “How did you get me with that lame-o move? I swear, last time you knocked me so hard, I thought you were a demigod or something.”
- ―The Nemean Lion[src]
The Nemean Lion also appeared in the animated series. In "Hercules and the Hero of Athens", after having defeated all of Nemean's warriors, he grew bored and was looking to spread the terror and hoping to find some half-worthy heroes to fight him. Arriving to Athens, the Nemean Lion terrorized the employees at the Olive Works tour, until the young hero-in-training Hercules saves the day, albeit clumsily bringing down a building, by knocking the Lion out. Because Hercules could go to prison for the damage he caused, Icarus takes the blame and takes responsibility for defeating the Nemean Lion as well. However, the Nemean Lion escapes after Icarus moonlights as a superhero, the two battle only to have the Lion knocked out again by Hercules, with Icarus taking the credit again. Angry that his friend is getting all the credit, Hercules explains that he defeated the Nemean Lion both times. Icarus, refusing to believe, faces the Lion after it escapes once more without Hercules. Unfortunately, Icarus realizes that he didn't defeat the Lion when the latter suggested that he was knocked out by a demigod. Hercules comes to his aid at the last second, defeating the Nemean Lion once more, while Icarus gives up the superhero act. In "Hercules and the Big Games", the Nemean Lion is among Echidna's children gathered to attack the Big Games taking place in Athens. The Nemean Lion and all the other monsters were defeated by Hercules, before Echidna herself intervenes.
Trivia[]
- In the original myth, the Nemean Lion is Hercules' first labor. He was immune to sharp weapons but was vulnerable to being bludgeoned. Following his defeat, Hercules would wear its pelt as his armor.
- The Nemean Lion in the film bears a great resemblance to Scar from The Lion King. His pelt when Herc removes it is even identical to Scar.
- Funny enough, it could be an reference to Zazu's joke of Scar being a throwrug.
- Due to his body color, the lion in the movie could be based on the extinct Barbary Lion (a.k.a. Atlas 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.
- An amphora of the Nemean Lion fighting Hercules appeared in the Mystic Manor attraction at Hong Kong Disneyland. It rocked around as they fought.
Gallery[]
