The Disney company has recently found great success with remaking their classic films. Their live action interpretations of Cinderella, The Jungle Book, and Beauty and the Beast were all hits at the box office. The film technology of today is giving the company new ways of telling these stories on screen. This is most evident with director Jon Favreau’s Jungle Book film. The Oscar winning special effects are superb for they captivate you and keep you emotionally invested even though you know that huge talking animals weren’t really on the set. The critical and financial success of this film was the final push for Disney to green light a live action Lion King remake. Jon Favreau directing seemed like the right choice. When the official announcement was made- fans everywhere were extremely excited and scared at the same time. How could Disney pull off a great remake of one of their most iconic animated films of all time? The answer to this question becomes a bit more clear as more information and content about the film is released.

The cast that Favreau and his team have assembled so far is fantastic. Music and film star Donald Glover as Simba, James Earl Jones as Mufasa yet again, and John Oliver as Zazu. Thanks to the The Wrap we now know who is in talks to play the iconic villain Scar! Per their insiders the site has revealed that Chiwetel Ejiofor is in talks for the role. Audiences might recognize his name for his oscar nominated performance in 12 Years a Slave. He is also recognizable for his role as Baron Mordo in Doctor Strange. He is a fine actor who has already dipped his toes in villainous roles. Any fan of his can tell you the vocal heights this man can reach with his grand voice. He has the potential to play a menacing Scar that would fit perfectly within Favreau and Disney’s vision.

There was some speculation last month that Hugh Jackman would play the role but one of his representatives publicly shot down the rumor. Last month Disney also showed some early footage for the film at the D23 Expo. I myself was present and this footage really did shake my emotions. Seeing the iconic opening scene with realistic looking animals was surreal. I am a huge fan of Disney films and this honestly looks like it will be a fine interpretation of the tale. If you are a worried fan reading this, believe me when I say that it looks like you have nothing to worry about. Favreau was there and seemed very invested in this project and stressed to the audience that they know what they are doing is dangerous, but they want to handle this property with the respect and care that it deserves. I cannot wait for the rest of the world to see cub Simba in his live action look. I myself am not sure if I’m ready to see a huge brown menacing Lion voiced by Chiwetel Ejiofor. When the reveal comes be ready to be surprised.

Jeff Nathanson is writing the script for the film and there is no official release date set for it in 2019.

Source: The Wrap