Ok fine, I'll budge. Where's the excitement in yet another live-action remake of a Disney animated classic? This time it's 1994's "The Lion King"? This looks like it'll be a live-action CGI fest with basically the same Hamlet-inspired narrative as the original. Disney will dominate the box-office with Jon Favreau's take on 'Lion King,' families will flock to the theater, millennial nostalgists as well — I will no doubt go to a press screening and review it, but so what? That doesn't mean diddly squat about the point or purpose of making this, I'm speaking artistically of course. This is very much a money grab, make no mistake about it, and if it turns out to be a watchable movie then so be it, but in no way shape or form can it eclipse the original, no way.
Directed by Jon Favreau, written by Jeff Nathanson, featuring music by Tim Rice and Elton John. Disney will open "The Lion King" on 7.19.19.
Donald Glover as Prince Simba; James Earl Jones as King Mufasa, Simba’s father; Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, Simba’s evil uncle; Alfre Woodard as Sarabi, Simba’s Queen mother; Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, the warthog; John Oliver as Zazu, the hornbill; Billy Eichner as Timon, a wise-cracking meerkat; Keegan-Michael Key as Kamari, the hyena and Beyonce Knowles-Carter as Nala, Simba’s childhood love-interest.