Disney is getting set to release their updated live-action version of the classic Beauty and the Beast, but the work for the future release of a live-action The Lion King is already underway.
One former king of the jungle will return to reprise his role from the 1994 animated classic, as James Earl Jones will once again provide the voice of Mufasa. Donald Glover will take on the role of Simba.
Director Jon Favreau — who directed Disney’s previous attempt at a live action re-imagining of an animated classic (The Jungle Book) — shared the news about the recent castings on Twitter with a very appropriate line:
I just can’t wait to be king. #Simba pic.twitter.com/wUYKixMBJI
— Jon Favreau (@Jon_Favreau) February 18, 2017
Looking forward to working with this legend. #Mufasa pic.twitter.com/1LszbWrcYT
— Jon Favreau (@Jon_Favreau) February 18, 2017
Having James Earl Jones back sounds amazing for this new version of The Lion King, but can I be honest with you guys for a second? Having seen Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, it sure seemed as though the signature pipes of the legendary actor have not aged particularly well. If his lines recited as Darth Vader were any indication, we should probably brace ourselves now for the fact this Mufasa may be voiced by the same man, but the voice may not match the ones in our memories. Don’t get me wrong, I freaking love James Earl Jones! I just want to make sure we are all understanding of this development.
The casting of Donald Glover, however, seems like a great fit. Glover’s star has been on the rise in recent years and getting a chance to be a part of a massive Disney project like that will keep that trend going upward. Coming off a pair of Golden Globe awards for his role in Atlanta, and already in line to be a part of another Disney project (the next Star Wars Story film focusing on Han Solo as Lando Calrissian), it looks like Glover is quickly becoming a major player in Hollywood.
[Variety]
