Cast of Disney's Live-Action 'Lion King' Revealed, Beyoncé To Voice Nala
November 03, 2017Disney Reveals Full Cast of Live-Action Lion King
Earlier this year Variety reported that Beyoncé was "director Jon Favreau's top choice to voice Nala" in his new take on Disney's 994 animated film. Well, those reports were true. Disney has officially released the full cast for The Lion King remake and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter (Dreamgirls, Lemonade visual album) has been confirmed as Nala, the friend turned love interest of Simba. Donald Glover (Atlanta, Solo: A Star Wars Story) will voice Simba - who returns from exile after fleeing after his father's death to see what has become of Pride Rock.As if we weren't feeling the love already, the rest of the cast has us ready to return to Pride Rock. The cast of The Lion King includes stars from film, television, theater, and music arenas.
James Earl Jones (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Coming to America) reprises the role of Mufasa, Simba's wise and loving father, which he voiced in the original 1994 film. Alfre Woodard (Juanita, Marvel's Luke Cage) joins the cast as Sarabi, Simba's pragmatic and devoted mother. Simba's villainous uncle, Scar, an iconic role from the 1994 film will be portrayed by versatile actor Chiwetel Ejiofor (Twelve Years a Slave, Doctor Strange). JD McCray plays Young Simba, a self-assured cub who just can't wait to be king, and Shahadi Wright Joseph portrays fearless cub Young Nala.
John Oliver (HBO's Last Week Tonight with John Oliver) was tapped to play Mufasa's loyal advisor, hornbill Zazu. John Kani will bring the wise baboon Rafiki, an advisor who shares sage wisdom and teaches lessons in unexpected ways, to life. This iconic role was originally voiced by Robert Guillaume (Benson, The Lion King) in the 1994 film. Seth Rogen (Neighbors) provides comic relief as warthog Pumbaa and Billy Eichner (FX's American Horror Story) joins the cast as meerkat Timon. Florence Kasumba (Marvel Studios' Black Panther) plays Shenzi, Eric André (Adult Swim's The Eric André Show) portrays Azizi, and Keegan-Michael Key (The Predator, Netflix's Friends from College) is Kamari.
The Lion King is directed by Jon Favreau (The Jungle Book, Marvel's Iron Man) and produced by Favreau, Jeffrey Silver (Beauty and the Beast, Edge of Tomorrow) and Karen Gilchrist (The Jungle Book), Chef). Jeff Nathanson (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales) wrote the screenplay based on the 1994 screenplay by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, and Linda Woolverton. Tom Peitzman (co-producer Kong: Skull Island, Alice in Wonderland) and Thomas Schumacher (The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast) are executive producers and John Bartnicki (The Jungle Book, Chef) is co-producer.
Synopsis of the movie from Disney
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, Sumba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his.
We are excited about all of the talent the cast will add to a new telling of a remarkable story. As a fan of The Lion King who has seen the animated film and the Broadway musical many times, I am excited about this upcoming film.
From Disney Live Action, The Lion King is slated to be released in U.S. theaters July 19, 2019.
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