Whether you like it or not, a live-action adaptation of 1994’s legendary animated film The Lion King is coming to the big screens. And now, it appears they’ve found their Timon and Puumba.
According to The Wrap, Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen are in final negotiations to voice the roles of Timon and Puumba, respectively, in Jon Favreau’s upcoming adaptation of the classic Disney animated film. The two comedians would join Donald Glover (Simba) and James Earl Jones (Mufasa) in the increasingly star-studded cast.
Putting aside the concerns of whether a live-action adaptation is at all necessary (it really isn’t), Eichner and Rogen would be great choices to voice the lovable, talkative animals.
Eichner, who hosts the absurd, hilarious Billy on the Street on TruTv, and had a recurring role on the final season of Parks and Recreations, is arguably this generation’s Nathan Lane, who originated the part of Timon. He’s a loud, crass, pop culture savant, who’s unfairly funny.
Meanwhile, Rogen can perfectly slide into the role of a shameless, grub-hungry warthog. Besides starring, writing and directing numerous comedic box-office hits, Rogen’s had success voice-acting in films such as Kung-Fu Panda, Sausage Party, and Horton Hears a Who! His unique laugh and stoner mentality should lend itself well to a character who loves snacking down.
Timon and Pumbaa were a big part of one of the most popular songs from The Lion King, “Hakuna Matata,” so Eichner and Rogan are hopefully working on their singing voices.
https://youtu.be/xB5ceAruYrI
It’s easy to dismiss Disney’s live-action adaptations of classic material as cash-grabs, which they are, but with the creative prowess behind The Lion King and the critical and box-office success of Favreau’s The Jungle Book, there is every reason to be hopeful for this adaptation.
Adding Eichner and Rogen to the cast should add further confidence toward the film’s chances of being really damn good.
The Lion King is set for a 2019 release.
