The Lion King sequel is in development with Academy-Award winning director Barry Jenkins.
Disney is working on a sequel to The Lion King with Barry Jenkins, the director behind Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk.
“Helping my sister raise two young boys during the ’90s, I grew up with these characters,” Jenkins said. “Having the opportunity to work with Disney on expanding this magnificent tale of friendship, love and legacy while furthering my work chronicling the lives and souls of folk within the African diaspora is a dream come true.”
The sequel will be a 2019 realistic remake, rather than a cartoon version. Jon Favreau previously directed the reboot, which made over $1.5 billion at the global box office.
Disney did not announce a release date for the movie and with COVID-19, it is also unclear when production will start. Variety reports the new movie will focus on the early years of Mufasa, the father of Simba whose death plays an important impact in the first movie. Jeff Nathanson will write the screenplay for the sequel. He also wrote the screenplay for the 2019 version.
The voice cast of the 2019 remake included Donald Glover as Simba, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, Billy Eichner, and Seth Rogen and as Timon and Pumbaa, and James Earl Jones as Mufasa. Disney did not announce the cast of the sequel.
Disney has reimagined several of their animated classics including Aladdin, Milan, Dumbo, and Beauty and the Beast. Aladdin is also getting a sequel following the hit remake, which starred Will smith.
In relevant news, filmmaker Barry Jenkins recently finished filming in Atlanta Underground Railroad for Amazon Studios in early March before the pandemic. The Underground Railroad is an upcoming American alternate history drama web television limited series directed by Barry Jenkins (Moonlight). The series is set to premiere on Amazon Video.
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