The second coming of the Disney Renaissance is upon us. With live-action remakes of iconic films like Beauty And The Beast and the forthcoming Aladdin, many have already slotted Jon Favreau's The Lion King among their most anticipated. With a star-studded cast including Donald Glover, Beyonce, James Earl Jones, Seth Rogen, John Olliver, Billy Eichner, Alfre Woodard, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and more, The Lion King appears to be a faithful adaptation to the core. Now, Disney has dropped off the first official trailer, which will likely trigger spontaneous bouts of nostalgia for anybody old enough to remember the classic source material.
While many familiar shots are covered, it's safe to call Scar the star of the new trailer; a different, mangier take than Jeremy Irons' more Shakespearean take, Scar's dialogue makes up the bulk of this trailer. Yet there are glimpses of James Earl Jones' reprise as Mufusa, as well as a musical first-look at the beloved Timon and Pumbaa duo.
From the look of it, The Lion King will remain near-identical on a per-shot basis, though fans of the original will likely find delight in this re-imagining. Visually, the film looks stunning, picking up where Favreau's Jungle Book left off. Look for the full motion picture to arrive on July 19. Any interest in this one?