Disney announces live-action ‘The Lion King’ cast: Beyoncé, Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, John Oliver, Chiwetel Ejiofor
Disney Live Action announced the all-star cast of Jon Favreau’s new live-action version of the 1994 classic animated film, The Lion King.
Ending the months of rumors comes confirmation of Beyoncé, Donald Glover and Seth Rogen to headline the high profile film project.
“It is a director’s dream to assemble a talented team like this to bring this classic story to life,” said Favreau in a statement.
Glover will voice the star Simba with Beyonce as Nala. Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave, Doctor Strange) will lend his voice to Scar, the iconic villain. James Earl Jones will return to voice Mafasa with Alfre Woodard voicing his mate, Simba’s mom, Sarabi.
Rogen, who will voice Pumbaa and Billy Eichner completely the comedic duo as Timon.
The remaining cast is John Oliver (Zazu), John Kani (Rafiki), Florence Kasumba (Shenzi), Eric André (Azizi), Keegan Michael Key(Kamari) with JD McCrary and Shahadi Wright Joseph will play young Simba and young Nala, respectively.
Favreau, who directed The Jungle Book for the studio, helms from a script by Jeff Nathanson, adapted from the 1994 screenplay by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, and Linda Woolverton.
Favreau, Jeffrey Silver, and Karen Gilchrist are producing, with Tom Peitzman and Thomas Schumacher exec producing, and John Bartnicki co-producing.
The Lion King will hit theaters on July 19, 2019.