Lion King 2019 cast, trailer, release date and more... what we know so far

King of the jungle: Baby Simba features in the new trailer
Harry Fletcher27 November 2018

The Lion King is returning to cinemas after 25 long years, with a live-action remake of the Disney classic arriving in 2019.

The original film is widely regarded as one of the best children’s movies ever made, and the live action remake looks set to be one of the biggest releases of the year.

Film fans were transported to the plains of Africa after the first trailer was revealed, and anticipation for the new film is higher than ever.

Here’s everything you need to know about the new Lion King.

Who is in the Lion King cast?

Leading man: Donald Glover will provide the voice for Simba in the upcoming movie 
Getty Images

The Lion King boasts one of the most impressive vocal casts of recent years, with a whole host of new talent and a few familiar names returning for the remake.

Donald Glover provides the voice for Simba in the movie, marking his first movie project since Solo: A Star Wars Story.

Beyoncé lends her voice to the role of Nala, the former childhood friend and love interest of Simba’s.

Elsewhere, Funny or Die’s Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen voice the duo Timon and Pumba.

Chiwetel Ejiofor voices Simba's malevolent uncle Scar, John Oliver provides the voice for Zazu and Keegan-Michael Key lends his voice to the part of the hyena Kamari.

Finally, James Earl Jones is returning to the fold for the remake, reprising his role as Mufasa.

Who is directing the remake?

At the helm: Jon Favreau is directing his second Disney live-action remake
Getty Images for Disney

Jon Favreau is directing the film, continuing his ongoing collaboration with Disney.

The actor and director helmed the visually arresting remake of the Jungle Book in 2016 and is set to direct the upcoming sequel too.

The Jungle Book grossed nearly $1b worldwide, and Favreau has also enjoyed huge box office success with projects like the first two Iron Man films in recent years.

Trailer

The first footage from the new film recreates the famous sequence in which Simba is raised above the crowds at Pride Rock by the baboon Rafiki.

Herds of wildebeests, elephants, gazelles and zebras, as well as flocks of birds are seen making their way across the plains to attend the ceremony in the clip. The trailer also features The Circle of Life, taken from the original soundtrack.

The clip offers the first look at baby Simba — who is seen resting in the arms of his mother Sarabi — while Earl Jones's Mufasa narrates the footage.

What's on the soundtrack?

Composer Hans Zimmer has developed a new score for the upcoming film, after working on the original film back in 1994.

Elton John is also reworking some of the famous songs from the original, including Circle of Life and Can You Feel the Love Tonight.

When is the Lion King released in cinemas?

The Lion King is due to be released on July 19 2019.

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