Disney fans have heard plenty of good news this week. Not only did we learn Disney will create a live-action version of The Lion King – but also the talented actors who will star in it.
News that Community actor Donald Glover has been cast as Simba was music to the ears of lovers of the 1994 original. Fans of Glover might know the 33-year-old as Childish Gambino – the name he uses when producing hit songs such as ‘3005’ and ‘Sober’.
However, it is who is set to play Mufasa that really has fans excited.
Filmmaker Jon Favreau revealed on Twitter on Friday that James Earl Jones is set to reprise his role as the patriarch Mufasa.
The Lion King is the latest in a series of Disney animated classics to be receiving the live-action remake treatment.
Favreau directed The Jungle Book’s adaption which premiered to critical and box office success in 2016.
The 2015 remake of Cinderella was also a success for the company, as was 2014’s Maleficent. Meanwhile, Beauty and The Beast starring Emma Watson will make its much-anticipated debut in cinemas around the world in March.
No doubt, the company will be betting that this endeavour will once again pay off. We’ll take those odds – Lion King’s stage production continues to draw sell-out audiences each time it’s toured and has one several awards.
