For fans who are skeptical of Disney’s upcoming live-action The Lion King, Entertainment Weekly has two words for them: “Hakuna Matata.” This week, the pop culture magazine shared exclusive photos of the film along with their interview with the creative time and cast behind The Lion King.
- Entertainment Weekly has shared first look pictures from the live-action Lion King film that seem to suggest this iteration will reign supreme.
- Along with revealing the new photos, EW sat down with the creative team and cast of the upcoming film.
- Fans can read the full interview on EW.com where discussions cover everything from technology used to bring this story to life, to musical influences and working with Beyoncé.
What they’re saying:
- Director Jon Favreau: “It feels like we’re restoring a classic historic architectural landmark — how do you update it without changing the personality of it? How do you take advantage of all the new technological breakthroughs but still maintain the soul and the spirit of the original Lion King?”
- Donald Glover voice of Simba: “[The Lion King is] a timeless story, but I think the way Favreau has constructed it, it’s a very timely story as well. I just wanted to be a part of a global good.”
- Shahadi Wright Joseph voice of young Nala: “I think I screamed when I found out Beyoncé was going to be in the movie. And when I found out she was going to be playing older me, I really had to step my game up and think about what Beyoncé would want.”
- JD McCrary voice of young Simba on Glover: “Donald Glover is so talented that I actually did have to take it into consideration, because if Simba is going to grow up to be some sort of figure and you know of it, you have to keep that motive.”
- Chiwetel Ejiofor on James Earl Jones: “For those of us who grew up with James Earl Jones and his voice, the comfort of that is going to be very rewarding in taking us on this journey again. It’s a once-in-a-generation vocal quality.”
- Billy Eichner on playing Timon: “Seth [Rogen] and I looked at each other early on and said, ‘No matter what else we do in our lives, more people around the world for years, decades, maybe centuries to come will hear our voices in this than they’ll see us in anything else we ever do. Long after we’re gone, this movie will be seen by children who haven’t even been born yet. So all you can really do is sit back and laugh at the absurdity of how enormous it is.”
The Lion King stars:
- Donald Glover as Simba
- Beyoncé Knowles-Cater as Nala
- James Earl Jones as Mufasa
- Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar
- Alfre Woodard as Sarabi
- John Oliver as Zazu
- John Kani as Rafiki
- Seth Rogen as Pumbaa
- Billy Eichner as Timon
- Eric Andre as Azizi
- Florence Kasumba as Shenzi
- Keegan-Michael Key as Kamari
- JD McCrary as young Simba
- Shahadi Wright Joseph as young Nala
The Lion King roars into theatres July 19, 2019