A new trailer for the upcoming live-action remake of “The Lion King” just released at the 2019 Oscars—along with a new film poster.
Similar to the live action film’s first official trailer, the new one featured Rafiki the baboon lifting Simba over Pride Rock, an iconic scene from the original animated movie, according to WPVI-TV.
The official twitter page posted the new trailer along with the captions: “Long Live #TheLionKing.”
Long Live #TheLionKing. pic.twitter.com/akXdWDawLB
— The Lion King (@disneylionking) February 25, 2019
The newest trailer, although short, seemed to be an exact replica of the original animated film released in 1994, according to Variety.
The new trailer also featured various scenes from across the African savannah, the setting of the upcoming film.
In addition to the new trailer, the studio also revealed a new poster for the highly anticipated film, according to WPVI-TV.
July 19. #TheLionKing pic.twitter.com/dDdqPub4vP
— The Lion King (@disneylionking) February 25, 2019
When the teaser trailer came out for the film on Nov. 22, 2018, it became the most-viewed Disney trailer, according to the film’s twitter page.
“To our entire pride: Thank you for helping the teaser trailer for #TheLionKing become the most-viewed Disney trailer debut ever as it reached a record-breaking 224.6 million global views in 24 hours!”
To our entire pride: Thank you for helping the teaser trailer for #TheLionKing become the most-viewed Disney trailer debut ever as it reached a record-breaking 224.6 million global views in 24 hours! pic.twitter.com/iEPrmFKaEM
— The Lion King (@disneylionking) November 24, 2018
For many, the 1994 animated film was one that made their childhood, according to LadBible, not to mention highly anticipated, even after more than 20 years since the original release. Last year, “Lion King” had been named the best animated film of all time.
Now, more than 20 years later, all the characters are getting a CGI makeover and are being portrayed with a more realistic outlook.
This is not the first time that animated Disney films have been given a live-action makeover. Animated films like “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Jungle Book” have already come out with their own modern live-action adaptation, with “Dumbo” and “Aladdin” also in the works.
Lion King’s Story and Cast
The original Lion King is a tale about a young lion who has to triumph over his destiny in the face of hardships. Simba was born to succeed his father, Mufasa, as the king of the jungle, but after witnessing the death of his father at a young age, Simba ran away from it all. Years later, as destiny calls, Simba must go back to end Scar’s tyrannic rule and take his rightful place as the king of Pride Rock.
James Earl Jones will be reprising his role as Mufasa, Simba’s father, from the original animation in 1994. In addition, the 2019 film stars Donald Grover as the voice of Simba, and the young Simba is voiced by JD McCrary.
McCrary posted on his Instagram how he is excited to play Simba and a list of all the actors are in the film.
“Well the #CUB is out of the bag… I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be lending my voice to Young Simba in Disney’s The Lion King, coming to theatres summer 2019,” he wrote.
The film will also star Beyoncé as the voice as Nala, Simba’s romantic interest, with Shahadi Wright Joseph voicing the young Nala.
Seth Rogan and Billy Eichner will be voicing Pumbaa the warthog and Timon the meerkat respectively, two characters that Simba will meet and become friends with as he grows up away from Pride Rock. And Scar will be voiced by Chiwetel Ejiofor.
John Oliver, Keegan-Michael Key, and Alfre Woodard will also be voicing characters in the film.
