Disney announced ‘The Lion King’ remake’s cast and people can’t handle it. After months of speculation, the company confirmed Beyoncé will be voicing Nala, and the Beyhive burst in joy.
The cast also includes Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, James Earl Jones and more. ‘The Lion King’ live-action movie is slated for July 19, 2019.
Cast announced, hail, the Queen!
Disney officially announced the star-studded cast of their upcoming ‘The Lion King’ remake on Wednesday. The news broke the internet.
Confirming long speculated rumors the Walt Disney Studios revealed Beyoncé will be lending her voice to the project and will bring to life Nala in the live action version of the 1994 classic.
As for Simba, Nala’s childhood friend and future husband will be voiced by Donald Glover as previously announced.
Beyoncé has appeared in a variety of films including ‘Dreamgirls’ and ‘Austin Powers in Goldmember. Glover gained fame for his roles in ‘Community’ and ‘Atlanta,’ as well as in movies such as ‘The Martian’ and ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming.’
The star-studded cast is completed by John Oliver as Zazu, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, Billy Eichner as Timon, Seth Rogan as Pumba, Keegan-Michael Key as a hyena and Eric Andrea as Azizi.
The live-action movie will mark the return of actor James Earl Jones. He voiced Mufasa in the original 1994 animated ‘Lion King’.
“It is a director’s dream to assemble a talented team like this to bring this classic story to life,” said director Jon Favreau. He was also behind the success of the live-action remake of ‘The Jungle Book’.
20th anniversary for the Broadway musical
The cast reveal comes just as ‘The Lion King’ Broadway musical celebrates its 20th anniversary of its premiere this month.
The Mouse House also revealed the official synopsis of the upcoming film.
“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.”
Pretty much like the classic we all love.
The film is slated for a July 19, 2019, theatrical release.
Bringing back the greatest classic
Disney has been pretty busy reimagining its classics for a contemporary audience with films such as ‘Maleficent,’ ‘Cinderella’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast.‘
The company first announced the live-action remake of the ‘Lion King’ last September, following the technologically groundbreaking smash hit ‘The Jungle Book’, directed by Jon Favreau, which earned $965.8 million worldwide.
‘The Jungle Book’ helmer, Jon Favreau was announced as the director and months later Donald Glover and James Earl Jones were announced as part of the cast.
Just like Favreau’s ‘Jungle Book’ and Bill Condon’s ‘Beauty and the Beast‘, ‘The Lion King’ is set to be a mostly CG venture and will feature songs from the animated film. Which comes as great news, just imagine Beyoncé singing these Disney classics.
One of the biggest animated films ever
The beloved Disney classic is one of the biggest animated films of all time with a lifetime global box office gross of $968.8 million, including $422.8 million domestically.
The film went on to win Academy Awards for the original song ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight’ by Elton John and Tim Rice, and the original score by legendary Hans Zimmer, who will serve again the live-action movie.
The animated film also nabbed two Grammy Awards, selling over 14 million copies of the soundtrack.
The beloved story took on stage production n 1997, when ‘The Lion King’ made its Broadway debut.
The production won six Tony Awards, and, 19 years later, it remains one of Broadway’s biggest hits alongside several other productions running around the world, including London, Hamburg, Tokyo, Madrid, Mexico City, Shanghai, and North America.
In 2014, a Disney announced the musical was had found similar success from the film, being “the highest-grossing total in box office history” at $6.2 billion.
As for the film, it was translated into eight different languages, ad its 23 global productions have been seen by more than 85 million people across every continent except Antarctica.
The Lion King’s worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or other entertainment titles in box office history.
Beyhive premiering a new emoji for the occasion 🦁
What started as a rumor and a dreamy possibility for fans and the complete human existence, of course, I’m talking about Beyoncé voicing Nala, has proved to be the greatest reality in a blink of time.
And the internet had the best response to it, with the Beyhive celebrating the official news, and thinking on how will they attend the premiere and so on.
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