The Lion King: All the facts about the live-action remake 🦁
It's an incredible film!
Last updated 16th Mar 2020
Disney are well on their way with making live action remakes of their beloved animated films from the past - The Jungle Book, Aladdin and Dumbo being just a handful of examples. But they're not stopping there, and have plans to make live action versions of many more classic Disney films.
Of course, one of the company's most beloved films is The Lion King, and when a live action version was announced, fans were dubious. However, once the casting was released, many breathed a sigh of relief thanks to the incredible talent taking part.
The Lion King live action remake has now been released, here's everything we know about the 2019 reboot of the 1994 classic film.
When is The Lion King remake out on DVD?
Disney have announced that the DVD and Blu-Ray will both be released on Monday 18th November, and is already available to buy on digital download. Disney bosses have revealed that there are loads of bonus clips on the discs, including plenty of behind-the-scenes footage.
To celebrate the release of the digital download, one of those behind-the-scenes clips has been released! Seth Rogen, who voiced Pumbaa, admits that he's not the best singer, and his co-stars Donald Glover and Billy Eichner also shed some light on the recording process.
What is the plot for the new live-action The Lion King film?
The plot is the same as the original film, the 1994 Disney classic. The Lion King journeys to the African savanna where future king, Simba, is born. Simba idolises his father, King Mufasa, and is excited to follow in his father's footsteps.
However Simba's villainous uncle Scar is less than pleased that there is a new heir to the throne. 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, Timon and Pumbaa, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his and save the animal kingdom from destruction.
Disney released two new sneak peek clips of the film ahead of its release - in one clip, it shows Timon and Pumbaa, spotting Simba for the first time, thinking he's a bird, before realising he's a lion cub!
Timon then hilariously says, "Let's see what we're dealing with here", before exclaiming, "It's a lion, run for your life!" Pumbaa then responds by saying, "Can we keep him, can we please keep him?".
In the second clip, Simba is being taught how to roar, being told, "This gorge is where all lions come to find their roar". Simba, who looks extremely realistic, then responds by attempting to find his roar, but fails. He instead lets out a baby squeal, which is adorable!
The Lion King is recommended for ages eight and above - it has a PG rating (Parental Guidance) which means that young children should be accompanied by an adult when watching it.
When was The Lion King remake released in UK cinemas?
The Lion King is now in cinemas! It was released on the 19th July 2019.
Who did Beyonce Knowles-Carter play in the new The Lion King film?
Worldwide superstar Beyoncé Knowles-Carter took on the role of the older version of Nala, Simba's best friend turned love interest. Young Nala was played by Shahadi Wright Joseph. Unsurprisingly, Beyoncé's version of 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight?' with Donald Glover is INCREDIBLE.
Did James Earl Jones voice Mufasa in the live-action The Lion King?
YES! James Earl Jones will return to the role of Mufasa. Who else could have taken on the iconic line of "Simba, remember who you are..."?
Who played Simba in The Lion King?
Adult Simba is voiced by Donald Glover, who is best known for his role as Troy Barnes in Community and for performing music under the stage name Childish Gambino. Young Simba was voiced by JD McCrary.
Who else starred in the new live-action version of Disney's The Lion King?
The all-star lineup the live-action version of Disney’s 1994 classic film The Lion King includes stars from film, TV, music and theatre.
Donald Glover stars as future king Simba, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is Simba’s love interest Nala and James Earl Jones reprises his role as Simba’s father, Mufasa. Chiwetel Ejiofor will play Simba's villainous uncle Scar and Alfre Woodard takes on role of Simba's mum Sarabi.
JD McCrary plays young Simba and Shahadi Wright Joseph plays young Nala, having played the roles in the Broadway version of The Lion King.
Every kingdom comes with a trustworthy advisor or two. John Kani plays the wise baboon Rafiki and Donald's Community co-star John Oliver plays Zazu.
Who has been cast to play Timon and Pumbaa in the 2019 version of The Lion King?
Seth Rogen lends his comedic voice to naïve warthog Pumbaa and Billy Eichner joins the cast as know-it-all meerkat Timon.
Disney also released pictures of the Lion King cast alongside their animated counterparts.
Swipe through to see the cast of The Lion King with their animated counterparts...
Donald Glover as Simba
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala
Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar
Billy Eichner as Timon, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa and John Oliver as Zazu
Alfre Woodard as Sarabi
Keegan-Michael Key as Kamari, Florence Kasumba as Shenzi and Eric Andre as Azizi
JD McCrary as young Simba and Shahadi Wright Joseph as young Nala
How did the live-action The Lion King do at the box office?
In its first three weeks, The Lion King had already grossed so much that it became the highest-grossing animated film of all time. Overtaking 2013 Disney film Frozen, which swept the world up into a frenzy at the time, earned $1.27 billion (£1.05 billion) at the time, but the 2019 version of The Lion King has earned $1.33 billion (£1.1 billion), according to Box Office Mojo.
Who directed The Lion King?
The Lion King was directed by Jon Favreau who also directed the live-action remake of The Jungle Book released in 2016, as well as Marvel Studios’ Iron Man. Friends fans will recognise him as Pete Becker, the super-rich restaurant-goer who develops an infatuation with Monica Geller.
Who wrote the soundtrack for the new The Lion King?
Fans of the original film were pleased to know that the film would include most of the songs from the 1994 version - including 'Hakuna Matata' and 'Circle Of Life'! Hans Zimmer, who won an Oscar for his score on the animated classic, returned to write the score for the 2019 version. Elton John joined the project to rework his original songs with original lyricist Tim Rice, and also worked with Beyoncé for end credits song 'Spirit', which is also part of the soundtrack.
Beyoncé has also produced an album The Lion King: The Gift made up of songs that have been directly inspired by the film. Disney revealed the news on Instagram, writing, 'Just Announced: "The Lion King: The Gift," a new album of songs featuring global recording artists and steeped in the sounds of Africa, produced and curated by @Beyonce Knowles-Carter, will be released July 19. "Spirit," the single from the album and from the soundtrack for The Lion King, will be available later tonight.'
Beyoncé released a statement about the upcoming album, saying, "This is sonic cinema. This is a new experience of storytelling. I wanted to do more than find a collection of songs that were inspired by the film. It is a mixture of genres and collaboration that isn't one sound. It is influenced by everything from R&B, pop, hip hop and Afro Beat.
"I wanted to put everyone on their own journey to link the storyline. Each song was written to reflect the film's storytelling that gives the listener a chance to imagine their own imagery, while listening to a new contemporary interpretation.
"It was important that the music was not only performed by the most interesting and talented artists but also produced by the best African producers. Authenticity and heart were important to me."
Beyoncé also released a behind-the-scenes documentary showing how she made the album, and artist RAYE spoke out about being on the album.
Who brought The Lion King to life?
The award-winning team of artists set to bring The Lion King to life include visual effects supervisor Rob Legato, who conceived the virtual production on Avatar, and won Academy Awards for his work on The Jungle Book, Hugo and Titanic, and was nominated for an Oscar for his work on Apollo 13.
The film’s animation supervisor is Oscar winner Andrew R. Jones and VFX supervisor is Adam Valdez. Five-time Oscar nominee Caleb Deschanel, ASC is director of photography, and James Chinlund serves as the production designer. Oscar winner Ben Grossman is virtual production supervisor, and Mark Livolsi, ACE and Adam Gerstel are editors.
NOW WATCH: The cast of The Lion King take our Big Quiz
We challenged The Lion King stars Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner and director Jon Favreau to our Big Cast Quiz! Find out how well the cast know each other...
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