The numbers around the trailer of the "live-action" adaptation of The Lion King prove that fans are crazy excited about the upcoming remake. According to Variety, the clip showing photo-realistic takes on iconic moments like Simba's unveiling and the wildebeest stampede racked up more views than any Disney trailer ever in a 24-hour span. In just a day, the teaser was viewed 224.6 million times globally.
James Earl Jones eased fans into the remake, his instantly recognizable voice unveiling the newly imagined kingdom via another turn as Mufasa. Beyond that, however, the cast has been entirely replaced by a list of pop culture heavyweights. Donald Glover is set to take on the role of Simba, with Beyoncé playing Nala. Timon and Pumbaa are being voiced by Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen while John Oliver will play the prim-and-proper assistant to Scar, Zazu. As for the big bad himself, 12 Years A Slave's Chiwetel Ejiofor will take over for Jeremy Irons in voicing Mufasa's ambitious (and murderous) brother.
King will be directed by Iron Man's Jon Favreau, who has a bit of experience reworking the classics. He also directed Disney's remake of The Jungle Book back in 2016.
The Lion King is just one of the live-action remakes coming from Disney in 2019, with slated updates of Lady and the Tramp, Aladdin, Mulan and Dumbo. The latter recently shared a first-look trailer, giving us hope that director Tim Burton didn't go overboard with the story that's already plenty gloomy.
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