There are many movies that we may have enjoyed when we were younger but from time to time, there is a movie that shaped our lives in a rather profound way. For many of us who grew up watching Disney, The Lion King, was just such a flick. We love the characters, sang along with the music and cried in some cases. Now it seems as if we get to experience all of those emotions once again.
There is a live-action remake of The Lion King that is just around the corner and we can’t wait for it to hit the silver screen. It has been 25 years since the original animation and next summer is set to celebrate that event with the live-action version. Can you imagine hearing those songs, watching the show and seeing it all unfold right before your eyes again? Thankfully, you don’t have to wait because we have the teaser trailer right here:
Donald Glover is set to take the lead role of Simba. He is certainly going to be a mighty king and playing the role of Scar is Chiwetel Ejiofor.
It is going to be the takeover of the century in this classic film, which is directed by Jon Favreau. The young lion cub will once again be tricked by his wicked uncle into thinking he is responsible for his father’s death.
There is an extensive cast that will support Glover and Ejiofor in their roles. As an added bonus, Mufasa will be played by the legendary James Earl Jones.
It’s hard to believe that there is more to see than what we saw in the original but Disney is set to outdo themselves and to breathe new life into some rather interesting animated features of the film. It’s the circle of life and we love it.
Beyoncé is going to sing along with Elton John, who was responsible for writing the original songs. There is a new song that will be released with the 2019 remake.
Many of the classic tunes will also be included, including The Circle of Life and Just Can’t Wait to Be King.
Disney has come out with a number of live-action remakes of classic animated films. They include Aladdin, Lady and the Tramp, Dumbo and Mulan, which are going to be released over the next couple of years.
The adoption of the Jungle Book earned almost $1 billion but the Lion King is being described by Favreau as something quite different. He explained the following in an interview.
“The Jungle Book was 50 years ago, but The Lion King was only 20. It came out in the age of video where people were watching it over and over again.
So I have to prioritise that when I’m directing. I have to try and honour what was there. In some ways it’s like bringing a Broadway play back because there are certain expectations.
The Lion King, people really know it and they grew up with it. They have an emotional impact. I think memory is like a compression software; you can’t remember everything so you prioritize what’s important.
But you gotta live up to what they want. There’s an added pressure to these beloved stories, especially these deep-seated ones, because there’s an emotional connection.”
Perhaps he could take a page out of the original and just remember, ‘Hakuna Matata’.
We look forward to seeing The Lion King when it is set to be released on July 19, 2019.