HOLLYWOOD – Jon Favreau’s classic live action film The Lion King is to become a cartoon.
Jon Favreau‘s classic 2019 film The Lion King is to get a remake. Disney announced today that it is planning to film a new version of the classic tale as a cartoon. Simba, Mufasa, Scar, Nala, Pumba and Timon will all return. The songs including the hits Hakuna Matata and The Circle of Life by Tim Rice and Elton John will also feature.
Director Roger Allers told the Studio Exec:
We have the utmost respect for Jon Favreau and his team and what they did with the story. In fact, it’s quite daunting to think of following in the footsteps of the guy who made Iron Man 2. But Disney came to us and said, we like this story but do you think it could work as animation? Of course, I was nervous but I tried to hide it. I’ll do my best.
Will you use the same voice actors that Favreau used?
No, absolutely not. Donald Glover undoubtedly made Simba his own and there’s not much we can do to compete with that. So I’d rather try and strike out on my own and present a whole new generation of voices. For instance, Jeremy Irons is thinking of helping us out and the wonderful Matthew Broderick is on board.
Matthew Broderick told the SE:
I’m very excited by this prospect. In a way I feel it’s a return to familiar territory for me.
Because you actually played…
Ferris Bueller! That’s right. And Simba is the same kind of kid as Ferris. He’s witty and breaks the rules. And I can give him that cockiness.
However, not everyone is happy at the prospect. Jon Favreau recently told the New York Times:
This is bullshit. Why can’t they leave well alone. We spent two years creating photorealistic images of big cats and then they’re going to come along and remake it with what? Like drawings? Moving drawings? It’s totally bull crap and I don’t care who knows about it.