The internet has been a buzz since the all-star lineup for director Jon Favreau’s new take on Disney’s 1994 classic animated film “The Lion King” was announced. And why? because Beyoncé Knowles Carter has been cast as Nala.
Don’t get me wrong, I am as big a fan of Beyonce as anyone, of course not as wacky as her super fans the “Beyhive” is but look at the cast, it includes stars from the film, TV, theater and music arenas. James Earl Jones is playing Mufasa, Chiwetal Ejiofor is playing Scar and the incomparable Alfre Woodward is playing Sarabi. The entire cast is spot on.
But I just know that when the Red Carpet coverage and interviews will be Beyoncé, Beyoncé, and more Beyoncé. It will be – what is wearing Beyoncé to the Los Angeles premiere? What is she wearing to the London premiere? The cast will be asked over and over again, what was it like to work with Beyoncé, was Blue Ivy and Jay-Z on set, what’s your favorite Beyoncé song , you get the idea.
Here’s the opportunity to check out the amazing line up for live action The Lion King.
Lions rule the African savanna in “The Lion King,” which welcomes Donald Glover (“Atlanta,” “Solo: A Star Wars Story”) as future king Simba, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter (“Dreamgirls,” “Lemonade” visual album) as Simba’s friend-turned-love interest Nala, and James Earl Jones(“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” “Field of Dreams”) as Simba’s wise and loving father, Mufasa, reprising his iconic performance from Disney’s 1994 animated classic. Chiwetel Ejiofor (“Twelve Years a Slave,” Marvel Studios’ “Doctor Strange”) was called on to portray Simba’s villainous uncle Scar, and Alfre Woodard (“Juanita,” Marvel’s “Luke Cage”) portrays Simba’s no-nonsense mother, Sarabi. JD McCrary (OWN’s “Tyler Perry’s The Paynes,” Apple’s “Vital Signs”) fills the shoes of Young Simba, a confident cub who can’t wait to be king, and Shahadi Wright Joseph (NBC’s “Hairspray Live,” Broadway’s “The Lion King”) brings tough cub Young Nala to life.
Every kingdom comes with a trustworthy advisor or two. John Kani (“Coriolanus,” Marvel Studios’ “Captain America: Civil War”) was cast as the wise baboon Rafiki, and John Oliver(HBO’s “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”) was tapped as hornbill Zazu, Mufasa’s loyal confidant. When Simba goes into exile, he relies on two newfound friends—Seth Rogen (“Sausage Party,” “Neighbors”) lends his comedic chops to naïve warthog Pumbaa, and Billy Eichner (“Billy on the Street,” FX’s “American Horror Story”) joins the cast as know-it-all meerkat Timon.
While most of the animals in the kingdom respect the king, the hyenas have other plans.Florence Kasumba (NBC’s “Emerald City,” Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther”) portrays Shenzi,Eric André (Adult Swim’s “The Eric André Show,” FXX’s “Man Seeking Woman”) is Azizi, andKeegan-Michael Key (“Predator,” Netflix’s “Friends from College”) plays Kamari.
“It is a director’s dream to assemble a talented team like this to bring this classic story to life,” said Favreau.
The Lion King” is directed by Favreau (“The Jungle Book,” Marvel Studios’ “Iron Man”) and produced by Favreau,
ABOUT THE MOVIE: From Disney Live Action, director Jon Favreau’s all-new “The Lion King” journeys to theAfrican 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. Thebattle 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.
