The Lion King is almost here! We’re feeling serious love for the movie that many are saying is the event of the summer. Here are the top five reasons we can’t wait to immerse ourselves in this epic new vision of life on the Pride Lands.
The Opening Number
The iconic opening number was a showstopper in the animated film and the stage show. Elton John and Tim Rice's "Circle Of Life" - performerd here by Lindiwe Mkhize, with opening chant by Lebo M - promises to be just as awe-inspiring in the new film. Trailers have already given audiences a glimpse of the sequence, with the animals of the Pride Lands moving towards Pride Rock as the sun rises. It’s going to be epic.
The Music
Your favorite songs are all here: “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” “Hakuna Matata,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” This time, they’re given a new spin by producer Pharrell, and feature the voices of some of the best vocalists on the planet – including Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, who voices Nala! In addition to the classic tunes, the new film features a new song, “Spirit,” sung by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. Plus, composer Hans Zimmer’s rousing original score has been developed and re-recorded for the movie.
The Laughs
Early reactions to The Lion King say it’s one of the funniest movies of the year, thanks to the casting of some of the country’s best comedians. Billy Eichner plays Timon and Seth Rogen is Pumbaa, the lovable meerkat-warthog duo who live by the “hakuna matata” philosophy. John Oliver is Zazu, uptight majordomo to the king. And Keegan-Michael Key and Eric André bring even more laughs – appropriately – as hyenas Kamari and Azizi.
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The Stars
The Lion King has one of the most stacked all-star casts of any movie in 2019. In addition to Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, and the funny gang already mentioned, the movie features Donald Glover as Simba; Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar; Alfre Woodard as Sarabi;, JD McCrary and Shahadi Wright Joseph as yuung Simba and Nala; Florence Kasumba as Shenzi; and John Kani as Rafiki. James Earl Jones reprises his role as Mustafa from the animated film.
Photo by Kwaku Alston. © 2019 Beyoncé Knowles-Carter/Kwaku Alston.
The Director
Disney turned to Jon Favreau to bring the epic, hilarious, moving adventure that is The Lion King to life. Audiences might know him best as Happy from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but he’s also an accomplished filmmaker: He’s handled rousing action with Iron Man and mixed big laughs with big heart in Elf. And in 2015, his critically-acclaimed reimagining of The Jungle Book showed that he can use state-of-the-art visual effects to put a fresh spin on a beloved story.
© Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / courtesy Everett Collection
The Lion King is in theaters everywhere July 19 – buy tickets now.
