'The Lion King' Full Cast News: Beyonce Confirmed
Beyonce to star alongside Donald Glover in Jon Favreau's upcoming "The Lion King." The full cast has been officially announced.
"It is a director's dream to assemble a talented team like this to bring this classic story to life," the director said in a statement.
With the success of the live-action versions of Disney fairytales "Cinderella," "Beauty and the Beast," and "The Jungle Book," it was only a matter of time before the house of mouse revived more of their animated classics. And with the much-anticipated "The Lion King," Favreau is not holding back.
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Rumors about the production team eyeing Beyonce for the role of Nala turned out to be true after all. She will star alongside Glover as his childhood friend and eventual love interest.
JD McCrary will be portraying the younger Simba while Shahadi Wright Joseph will be playing the younger Nala.
James Earl Jones, who voiced Mufasa, Simba's father, in 1994 original, will be reprising his role for the film. Chiwetel Ejiofor has been cast as his antagonistic brother, Scar. Alfre Woodard will voice Sarabi, Simba's mother.
Rafiki will be voiced by John Kani while John Oliver voices Zazu. Simba's adoptive family Pumbaa and Timon will be portrayed by Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner, respectively.
Scar's trio of henchmen or should we say –hyenas will be portrayed by Florence Kasumba, Eric Andre, and Keegan-Michael Key.
Virtual reality tools and techniques will be used heavily for the production of "The Lion King." VFX supervisor Rob Legato previously said with such technology, one can walk around the set like a cameraman. And with VR headsets, actors will have a clearer grasp on the environment.
Favreau directed the successful remake of Disney's 1967 film "The Jungle Book."
"The Lion King" is slated to premiere on July 19, 2019.
