The Lion King: Cast, Trailer, Release Date, Story, and News

Everything you need to know about The Lion King live-action movie, including release date, cast, trailers, and more!

Jon Favreau stunned audiences by actually making a live-action remake of an animated Disney classic that was good in The Jungle Book so now all eyes are on him as he takes a swing at the crown jewel of the Disney Renaissance of the 1990s, The Lion King

Here’s everything we know about this live-action remake:

The Lion King Trailer

A new “sneak peek” offers up some never-before-seen footage:

Check out the first, full-length trailer:

And here’s the first teaser:

The Lion King Cast

Disney has put together a majestic cast of its remake of The Lion King. This includes some names we already heard much to our approval–including Donald Glover (Atlanta, Community) as Simba, Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave, Serenity) as Scar, and of course the indispensable return of James Earl Jones (um… The Lion King?) as Mufasa. However, the most eyebrow-raising aspect of this cast sheet is that Beyoncé has joined the cast as Nala. Bow down, one and all.

The rest of the impressive cast includes Alfre Woodard (Luke Cage) as Sarabi, John Oliver as Zazu, Billy Eichner as Timon, Seth Rogen as Pumba, Keegan Michael-Key as Kamari, and more.

This could be something special.

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The Lion King Story

Here is the official synopsis for the film. It seems vaguely… familiar… somehow.

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.

further reading: The Must-See Movies of 2019

The Lion King Release Date

The new version of The Lion King will hit theaters July 19, 2019.

The Lion King Poster

Check out the first poster…

The Lion King Photos

Entertainment Weekly has gotten its hands on some new Lion King photos. Take a look at them in the Instagram gallery below.

The Lion King Villain

We all know who the villain of The Lion King is, right? Scar, obviously! The uncle who we know is evil becasue he’s a slightly different shade and shape from his brother, the king. Jeremy Irons played Scar in the animated movie but Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) will portray him in the live-action. Anyone who saw Ejiofor in Four Brothers or Serentiy can attest to this casting’s potential. 

The Lion King Music

Hans Zimmer will be scoring the film, having also scored the 1994 original. Elton John will be returning as well to score some of the original songs. Of course both Beyoncé and Childish Gambino are in the cast so they will be contributing to the soundtrack as well. The following songs from the original have been confirmed to appear in the live-action version: Circle of Life“, “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King“, “Hakuna Matata“, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” and “Be Prepared.”

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