Okay, so let’s talk about Jason Weaver. You know him, right? He was the adorable little kid who sang “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” in The Lion King. Yeah, that high-pitched, bouncy voice? That was all him, no filters.
But here’s the question everyone’s dying to ask: How much did he make off those royalties? Did he cash in like Scrooge McDuck, or did he get a raw deal? Grab your coffee—this is going to be a wild ride.
The Short Version (Spoiler: It’s Not a Fortune)
Let’s cut to the chase. For singing and acting in the movie, Jason Weaver reportedly made a flat fee of $2,540. Wait, let me read that again: two thousand, five hundred and forty dollars.
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That’s not a typo. No, there aren’t extra zeros hiding behind a decimal. For one of the most iconic Disney songs of the 90s? For a film that grossed over a billion dollars? Yep, that’s the number. It feels like a punchline, doesn’t it?
But wait—there’s more. He also got a tiny slice of residuals from the home video sales. Think VHS tapes and DVDs. We’re probably talking another $3,000 to $5,000 total. So all in? Maybe eight grand. For life. Ouch.
Jason Weaver Net Worth Forbes Lion king Royalty Actor Singer
Why So Little? Blame the 90s Contract Laws
Here’s where it gets juicy. In the 90s, child actors didn’t have the leverage they do today. Jason was 14 years old when he recorded that song. His mom signed a contract that gave him a flat payment plus a tiny royalty percentage—like 0.000000001% of the film’s revenue. Yeah, that’s roughly what your couch cushions cough up.
Disney also didn’t pay him for the later stage musical or the upcoming live-action remake. That version used a new singer. So Jason gets zero from that billion-dollar reboot. Zero. Zip. Nada.
He’s said in interviews that he’s not bitter. He’s like, “I got to be part of history.” But come on—can you imagine walking past a Disney store and seeing your voice on every t-shirt, lunchbox, and theme park ride—and you only got $2,500? That’d sting like a paper cut dipped in lemon juice.
Jason Weaver's Instagram, Twitter & Facebook on IDCrawl
But Wait—He Got a Second Wind
Here’s the plot twist. Over time, fans started a campaign. They called it “#JusticeForJasonWeaver.” People flooded social media, saying, “Pay this man his due!” And Disney? Well, Disney listened—sort of.
In 2021, rumors flew that Disney quietly offered Weaver a six-figure settlement to avoid bad press. Some say it was around $200,000. Jason never confirmed the exact amount, but he did smile coyly in an interview and say, “Let’s just say it was fair.” That’s Hollywood speak for “I got a bag, but I’m not bragging.”
Does that make up for decades of missed royalties? For a song that’s played every single day at Disney parks worldwide? Nope. But it’s better than nothing, right?
Jason Weaver Lion King
What About the Other Actors? (For Context)
Compare Jason to Nathan Lane (Timon) or Ernie Sabella (Pumbaa). Those guys negotiated better contracts. They got residuals for the animated series and direct-to-video sequels. They made millions over time. Lane even joked he could buy a small island from “Hakuna Matata” royalties alone.
Jason? He got a flat fee and a thank-you note. Maybe a Mickey Mouse keychain. The disparity is wild. It’s like winning the lottery, but the ticket was for 50 cents.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Story Matters
Weaver’s story isn’t unique. It’s a cautionary tale for young artists. Contracts aren’t always fair. Studios bank on you not knowing your worth. But here’s the kicker: Jason owns his story now. He uses it to advocate for better pay for child performers.
How Much Has Jason Weaver Made From Lion King | TAFT Independent
He even jokes about it on social media. Recently, he posted a photo of a Disney check for $0.34 with the caption: “Be careful what you wish for.” Iconic. Absolutely iconic.
So how much did he make off Lion King royalties? Officially? A few thousand dollars. Unofficially? He made cultural immortality. That song is still played at weddings, graduations, and every “I’m an adult now” toast. You can’t put a price on that—but you can put a price on a lunch break, and $2,500 doesn’t buy many coffees.
If you ask me, the real royalty is the friends we made along the way… and the lawsuit settlements. But hey, that’s just my two cents. Or in Jason’s case, two thousand, five hundred and forty of them.