Disney revealed the entire voice cast for its live-action version of the 1994 original of the Lion King via Twitter last night and the reactions have already reached into the memes. Unsurprising when Beyonce (!) and so many other amazing people are in the cast.
With Beyonce as Nala and Donald Glover as Simba, it’s clear the singing is going to be superb. The rest of the cast is no joke with James Earl Jones reprising his role as Mufasa, Alfre Woodard as Sarabi, and John Kani as Rafiki.
Chiwetel Ejiofor will be playing Scar, and John Oliver is Zazu. Keegan-Michael Key, Florence Kasumba, and Eric André will portray Scar’s supportive hyenas. The cast is rounded out with Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen as Timon and Pumbaa. JD McCrary and Shahadi Wright Joseph will be young Simba and young Nala, respectively.
It’s also huge that the majority of the cast is Black as compared to the original. Props to the casting department.
The only other thing we know about the film is that it’ll be released on July 19, 2019. So be (getting) prepared for Jon Favreau style Lion King!