‘The Lion King’ Won’t Be A Shot-For-Shot Remake Of The Disney Classic

The Lion King Disney Jon Favreau

It turns out that Disney’s The Lion King won’t just be a shot-for-shot remake of the original animated film.

In 2016, director Jon Favreau used incredible technology to tell a new story based off of the Disney animated classic The Jungle Book. It was a film that wasn’t just a shot-for-shot remake of the original but instead updated the story for new and returning fans alike. That’s why some fans of The Lion King were surprised to see that the trailer for the new remake, also directed by Favreau, seemed to infer that it would essentially be the same movie but with a new filter. It turns out that looks can be deceiving.

Walt Disney Studios president of production Sean Bailey recently talked at length to The Hollywood Reporter about some of the studios’ new films. One of the films was, of course, The Lion King and Bailey assured fans that Favreau’s update will callback to the original film but will also feature some new elements.

The Lion King is a revered and beloved movie, so you’d better revere and love those parts that the audience wants. But there are things in the movie that are going to be new. [And] it is a new form of filmmaking. Historical definitions don’t work. It uses some techniques that would traditionally be called animation, and other techniques that would traditionally be called live action. It is an evolution of the technology Jon used in Jungle Book.”

The Lion King isn’t the only live-action remake of a Disney classic arriving next year. Tim Burton’s Dumbo flies into theaters at the end of March and then Guy Ritchie’s Aladdin opens in May. The remake of Aladdin recently caught some flack from fans because of the first images featuring Will Smith’s Genie but the actor revealed that his human form won’t be his only form in the film.

We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all news regarding The Lion King as soon as more information becomes available. Which upcoming Disney remake are you most excited to see? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

The Lion King tells the story of a young cub named Simba, who is manipulated into fleeing the pride lands he was destined to rule after his uncle Scar murders King Mufasa and convinces the prince that he is responsible for his own father’s death. After meeting two eccentric companions and reuniting with childhood friend Nala, an adult Simba finds himself confronted with the choice of remaining in exile or returning home to end the tyrannical rule of Scar and take his rightful place as King.

Directed by Jon Favreau from a script written by Jeff Nathanson, The Lion King features the voice talents of Donald Glover as Simba, Beyoncé as Nala , Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa , Billy Eichner as Timon, John Kani as Rafiki, John Oliver as Zazu, Alfre Woodard as Sarabi, Keegan-Michael Key as Kamari, Eric Andre as Azizi, Florence Kasumba as Shenzi, and James Earl Jones as Mufasa.

The Lion King will be released in theaters on July 19, 2019.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter