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Beyoncé Has Officially Joined the New ‘Lion King’ Cast and We’re Singing “Hakuna Matata!”

Misc
Nov 1, 2017 8:57 pm·
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The new Lion King cast is slowly finally complete — and we'd be lion if we didn't say we were excited!

Puns aside, the 1994 animated movie is just one of many Disney classics being remade over the next two years, and some major Hollywood stars have signed on to make for one of the most epic casts we've ever seen!

Disney revealed the full cast on Nov. 1 with a simple tweet, stating "The Lion King. 2019." Yes, that's right, we have to wait two years to finally see it, but believe us, it'll be worth it. After months of speculation, Beyoncé has officially signed on to voice Simba's love interest and childhood best friend Nala. Chiwetel Ejiofor will be Simba's evil uncle Scar, while Alfre Woodard will play Sarabi, John Oliver will voice Zazu, John Kane will be Rafiki, Billy Eichner and Seth Rogan will be Timon and Pumba respectively.

We had already learned in April that Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino had been tapped to play Simba, who must return to the Pride Lands to avenge the death of his father Mufasa by his uncle Scar. At the same time, it was announced that the voice of Mufasa will be courtesy of James Earl Jones, who will be reprising his role two decades later. Other characters will be voices by Eric Andre, Florence Kasumba, Keegan-Michael Key, JD McCrary, and Shahadi Wright Joseph. Yeah, this movie is going to be amazing.

Director Jon Favreau revealed the movie would not be live action but it will have similar elements to last year's The Jungle Book remake, which he also directed.

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“The Jungle Book was 50 years ago, but The Lion King was only 20. It came out in the age of video where people were watching it over and over again,” John said during the Tribeca Film Festival. “So I have to prioritize that when I’m directing. I have to try and honor what was there. In some ways, it's like bringing a Broadway play back because there are certain expectations.”

He continued, "But you gotta live up to what they want. There's an added pressure to these beloved stories, especially these deep-seated ones, because there's an emotional connection.” We can't wait to see it on July 19, 2019!

For a look at the new cast, click through the gallery below!