Elton John Was Mistaken for a Gardener During This Disney Movie
This artist had a role in a few Disney films. He wrote music for the original animated version of The Lion King. He also had a cameo alongside some of Disneyās favorite bear characters ā the country bears.Ā
Elton John had a cameo in Disneyās āThe Country Bearsā
Several theme park rides inspired Disney films. Fans still anticipate the release of The Jungle Cruise, starring Dwayne āThe Rockā Johnson and Emily Blunt, while several movies debuted inspired by the Pirates of the Caribbean ride in Magic Kingdom. The Haunted Mansion appeared in a movie starring Eddie Murphy.Ā
However, thereās only one band called the Country Bears. This live-action film told the story of a disbanded group that needed to save their old concert hall. They do this with the help of a superfan, named Beary.
Along their journey, the group runs into a few celebrities. That includes Elton John, who they mistake for a gardener at Ted Bedderheadās house. Turns out, it was Elton Johnās mansion and Ted was just living there. After getting together, the band saves Country Bear Hall, playing songs like āStraight to the Heart of Loveā alongside Beary.Ā
Celebrities like The Eaglesā Don Henley and Queen Latifah appeared in āThe Country Bearsā
The Country Bears, released in 2002, featured a few other well-known musicians and actors. Queen Latifah starred as one of Zeb Zooberās friends/a restaurant owner nicknamed Cha-Cha. Christopher Walken appeared as the bitter banker named Reed Thimple.
After listening to Trixie and Tennesse perform in a bar, one patron comments that theyāre better than the Eagles. The actor was Don Henley, one of the founding members of the Eagles, who sang the voice of Tennesse. Bonnie Raitt voiced Trixie.Ā
Elton John worked on other Disney-related projects
This wouldnāt be the first time that the Grammy award-winning artist worked with Walt Disney Studios. In 1994, he wrote āCircle of Life,ā āI Just Canāt Wait to Be King,ā āBe Prepared,ā āHakuna Matata,ā and āCan You Feel the Love Tonightā for the animated film, The Lion King.Ā
He returned to work on the music for the stage production of the musical and the photo-real adaptation, released in 2019, although he didnāt have a large role in that production.Ā
āMusic was so much a part of the original and the music in the current film didnāt have the same impact,ā John said, according to Inside the Magic. āThe magic and joy were lost. The soundtrack hasnāt had nearly the same impact in the charts that it had 25 years ago when it was the bestselling album of the year.ā
Disneyās original movie, The Country Bears, is available on their streaming platform. To learn more about Disney+ and to subscribe, visit their website.Ā