In 1994, Walt Disney Pictures released the animated epic musical film “The Lion King.” In 2019, the production company will release a new black version of the film.
On November 1, 2017, Walt Disney Studios took to Twitter to announce the cast of the new “The Lion King” version, which will be directed by Jon Favreau and will be released on July 19, 2019. Here are 14 African-American actors included in the remake:
- James Earl Jones as Mufasa
The Academy Award-nominated actor will reprise his role as Mufasa, the King of the Pride Lands. He is the father of Simba.
- Alfre Woodard as Sarabi
The “Luke Cage” alum will play Sarabi, Simba’s mother. Madge Sinclair originally voiced Sarabi.
- Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala
The wife of Jay-Z Carter will play Nala, Simba’s best friend and wife. The character was voiced by Moira Kelly in the original film.
- Donald Glover as Simba
The “Spider-Man: Homecoming” star will play Simba, son of Mufasa ang Sarabi. The character was voiced by Matthew Broderick in the original film.
- Shahadi Wright Joseph as Young Nala
Joseph made her debut as an actress in the 2016 TV movie “Hairspray Live!” In her second movie, she will voice the younger version of Beyonce’s character.
- JD McCrary as Young Simba
McCrary will play the younger version of Glover’s character. In the original film, it was voiced by Jonathan Taylor Thomas.
- Seth Rogen as Pumbaa
The “Zeroville” star will play Pumbaa, the best friend of Timon and one of Simba’s closest friends. The naïve warthog was originally played by Ernie Sabella.
- Billy Eichner as Timon
The “American Horror Story” star will play the meerkat who is one of Simba’s closest friends. The character was originally voiced by Nathan Lane.
- Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar
The “Mary Magdalene” star will play Scar, the younger brother of Mufasa. Academy Award winner Jeremy Irons originally voiced Scar.
- John Kani as Rafiki
The “Black Panther” star will play Rafiki. The wise old mandrill was originally played by Robert Guillaume.
- Florence Kasumba as Shenzi
Kani’s “Black Panther” co-star will play Shenzi, one of the three hyenas who serve Scar. The sassy and short-tempered character was originally played by Whoopi Goldberg. The other two hyenas Ed and Banzai will be renamed Azizi and Kamari, respectively, in the remake.
- Eric Andre as Azizi
The “Man Seeking Woman” star will play Azizi. In 2018, the actor will voice Luci in “Disenchantment” TV series.
- Keegan-Michael Key as Kamari
The “Friends from College” star will play Kamari. Prior to the release of the Black version of “The Lion King,” the actor will star in “The Predator,” the sequel of the 1987 sci-fi movie “Predator.”
- John Oliver as Zazu
Oliver will play Zazu, a hornbill originally played by “Mr. Bean” star Rowan Atkinson. In 2019, Oliver will also star in the animated film “Amusement Park.”
CONAN Daily 