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Besides the release of Aladdin this May, we’ll also be getting Disney’s live-action (or rather CG-action) version of The Lion King in July. Disney has just released the full trailer for the movie, and it gives us a look at realistic versions of characters like Scar, Nala, Timon, Pumbaa, and more.
Here’s the official description:
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, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his.
It’s worth noting that the movie does have a very star-studded cast from Donald Glover playing Simba to Chiwetel Ejiofor voicing Scar. Beyonce has also been cast as Nala with Billy Eichner voicing Timon and Seth Rogen playing Pumbaa. John Oliver has also been cast as the voice of Zazu the bird who get a glimpse of in the trailer.
The only voice actor to return from the original film was James Earl Jones, reprising the voice of Mufasa.
While the bar is set kind of low with these live-action adaptations, I’m eager to see what Jon Favreau brings to the table. He’s a fantastic filmmaker, and I’m sure he brought his own clever style to the story of Simba.
Catch The Lion King when it hits theaters July 19.
