Walt Disney Studios is adding to its collection of live action remake films of the classics with a sequel to The Lion King.
Barry Jenkins, who worked on Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk, is set to direct the sequel, which will be live-action following the 2019 release of the The Lion King remake. Despite mixed reviews the film generated more than $1.5 million in the global box office.
Jenkins is excited for the film, “Helping my sister raise two young boys during the ’90s, I grew up with these characters. Having the opportunity to work with Disney on expanding this magnificent tale of friendship, love and legacy while furthering my work chronicling the lives and souls of folk within the African diaspora is a dream come true.”
The remake starred Donald Glover as Simba, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen and as Timon and Pumbaa and James Earl Jones as Mufasa, however Disney has not yet confirmed who will be returning for the sequel.
According to sources at Variety the remake will not be a shot-by-shot remake of the original The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride but instead is likely to focus on the origins of some of the characters, particularly Mufasa.
This is unlike the 1998 cartoon sequel which was based on Kiara, Simba’s daughter, who falls in love with Kovu, whose mother was loyal to Scar, and (spoiler alert) they overcome their differences in the end to unite all the lions and live happily ever after.
I don’t know about anyone else but I am both excited and apprehensive of this remake, because I didn’t love that the remake of The Lion King too closely replicated the original cartoon version, but at the same time would love to see a remake of Simba’s Pride because it was one of my favourites as a child.
Neither production start dates or release dates have been confirmed due to Jenkin’s schedule and delays caused by coronavirus. I guess we’ll have to wait and see how it turns out.
Check out the Trailer for the first remake of The Lion King in case you’d forgotten:
