Recently, Disney’s official Twitter account posted the full official trailer for Lion King (2019). If you haven’t heard yet, Disney is remaking the traditional animated Lion King (1994) with photo-realistic computer animation technology. So basically, a live action Lion King without the whole ‘having to train lions’ thing. Disney released the teaser trailer back in November, but with the movie set to release mid-July, excitement over this childhood remake is ramping up. Here’s the amazing cast featured in the film.
Donald Glover as Simba
Donald Glover is a comedian, rapper, singer, producer, director, and actor so you probably recognize him from something. You might know “This is America” his newest hit that blew up recently, but Glover was also in Solo: A Star Wars Story, the TV show “Atlanta”, and Spider-Man: Homecoming among many others. If you listen to Childish Gambino, AKA Donald Glover’s stage name for his music, then you know how iconic this new soundtrack is about to be. (It’s about to get even more iconic if you look at who’s playing Nala).
Beyoncé as Nala
Beyoncé needs no introduction, but in case you haven’t heard of her acting before she’s been in Dreamgirls, Obsessed, and Austin Powers in Goldmember among others. If you need another reason to watch this movie, then just think of Beyoncé and Donald Glover’s rendition of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”
James Earl Jones as Mufasa
Yeah, so this one comes as no surprise because James Earl Jones is actually the original voice of Mufasa in the animated version. In case you don’t already know, Jones also voices Darth Vader. Yeah, Mufasa and Darth Vader are voiced by the same guy, mind blown.
Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar
Chiwetel Ejiofor’s most recent role you might recognize is Mordo from Marvel’s Doctor Strange. He was also in 12 Years a Slave and he’ll be in the new Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.
Alfre Woodard as Sarabi
Alfre Woodard was recently in the Netflix shows “Luke Cage” and “A Series of Unfortunate Events.” Woodard also made an appearance in Captain America: Civil War.
John Oliver as Zazu
John Oliver is the british host of “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.” Oliver writes for his own comedic political show currently as well as having written for “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.”
John Kani as Rafiki
John Kani is a South African actor and writer. Kani’s most recent recognizable role was as T’Chaka in Black Panther and Captain America: Civil War.
Seth Rogen as Pumba
Seth Rogen is a very well known actor, comedian, and writer who you might recognize from movies like This is the End, Pineapple Express, and Superbad.
Billy Eichner as Timon
You might recognize Billy Eichner from his show, “On the Street with Billy Eichner.” If you have no idea what that is then you might know him as the guy who goes up to people in the street with a microphone and asks people questions about celebrities for $1.
Eric André as Azizi
Eric André is an actor and writer known for “The Eric André Show”, Disenchantment, and Man Seeking Woman.
Florence Kasumba as Shenzi
Florence Kasumba is a German actress living in Berlin who films in English, Dutch, and German. Kasumba is recognizable as playing Ayo in Marvel’s Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, and Captain America: Civil War. Kasumba also played Senator Acantha in Wonder Woman.
Keegan-Michael Key as Kamari
Keegan-Michael Key is an actor known for Keanu, The Predator, Tomorrowland, and Let’s Be Cops.
JD McCrary as Young Simba
JD McCrary is an actor, singer, and dancer, known for his roles in “K.C. Undercover” and “Teachers.”
Shahadi Wright Joseph as Young Nala
Shahadi Wright Joseph is an actress known for her roles as Zora Wilson/Umbrae in Us and as little Inez in the TV movie Hairspray Live!
The Lion King remake is set to be a musical like the original, so I’m SUPER excited to hear all my favorite cast members sing (especially Beyoncé and Donald Glover singing together). If The Lion King was your childhood favorite movie, then you can rest easy with this talented cast. The Lion King remake comes out on July 19th this summer.