By And the live action adaptions continue. We’ve known that Disney has been and will be rolling out live action versions of their classic movies until they don’t have anymore to adapt, and the next one on the docket is The Lion King. With the wild success of almost every single one of the adaptations, and the surprising quality of each one as well, it should come as no surprise that Disney has pulled in a cast of all stars for the next one.
With Jon Favreau knocking The Jungle Book out of the park the director is set to helm the mostly CG film with a cast that basically reads like one of those dream casting lists websites do. The announcement confirms Donald Glover as Simba with Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner as Pumbaa and Timon (could not be better casting), John Oliver as Zazu, Chiwetel Ejiofor bad guy Scar, Alfre Woodard as Simba’s mother, John Kani as Rafiki, James Earl Jones returning as Mufasa, and Beyonce as Nala.
But there’s more! Eric Andre will play Azizi with Florence Kasumba playing Shezi and Keegan-Michael Key as Kamari. Then there are the two newcomers, JD McCrary and Shahadi Wright Joseph as young Simba and Nala, respectively.
Timon and Pumba’s casting alone should get you excited for this movie, but the fact that Disney seems to really get how to capture their classics while doing something new at the same time is the key to why these remakes work so well. Some of them veer in completely different directions while others simply tweak themselves just enough to work as something new. It’s going to be exciting to see what they do with one of their best.
There’s a new plot synopsis below as well.
“From Disney Live Action, director Jon Favreau’s all-new “The Lion King” journeys to the African savanna where a future king is born. Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub’s arrival. Scar, Mufasa’s brother—and former heir to the throne—has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged with betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba’s exile. With help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his. The all-star cast includes Donald Glover as Simba, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, James Earl Jones as Mufasa, Billy Eichner as Timon and Seth Rogen as Pumbaa. Utilizing pioneering filmmaking techniques to bring treasured characters to life in a whole new way, “The Lion King” roars into theaters on July 19, 2019.”
