Director Jon Favreau Promises ‘The Lion King’ Will Not Be A Shot-For-Shot Remake

Disney has released two visually stunning trailers for its upcoming remake of The Lion King, the latest being released last week. In that trailer, we see many iconic scenes from the animated film done in a new form of groundbreaking form of visual effects and animation. However, the biggest concern to fans is how similar will the remake be to the animated film before it. Speaking to USA Today, Director Jon Favreau promised fans of The Lion King that his upcoming retelling is not completely a shot-for-shot remake of Disney’s animated film. The director teased that some shots in the 1994 animated film are so iconic he couldn’t possibly change them, but despite what the trailers suggest, his film is not just the same movie over again.

“The original holds up incredibly well,” Favreau said, “so the challenge here was to tell a story in a different way but still deliver on people’s expectations while surprising them somehow.”

Personally, I believe Favreau has earned our trust when it comes to storytelling and retellings. His Jungle Book remake was visually groundbreaking and took the story from the animated film and created something a little more background to the story of Mowgli, all while still being faithful to its predecessor. The film would go on to make over $900 million at the global box office. “The Lion King” journeys to the African savanna where a future king is born. Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub’s arrival. Scar, Mufasa’s brother—and former heir to the throne—has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged with betrayal, tragedy, and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba’s exile. With help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his. Utilizing pioneering filmmaking techniques to bring treasured characters to life in a whole new way.” Directed by Jon Favreau, the film stars Donald Glover as Simba, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, James Earl Jones as Mufasa, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, Alfre Woodard as Sarabi, John Oliver as Zazu, John Kani as Rafiki, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, Billy Eichner as Timon, Eric Andre as Azizi, Florence Kasumba as Shenzi, Keegan-Michael Key as Kamari, JD McCrary as Young Simba and Shahadi Wright Joseph as Young Nala. Hans Zimmer is on board composing the film as he did the 1994 animated classic. Elton John and Tim Rice will also be returning, as they are set to collaborate with Beyoncé on a new song. The Lion King will roar into theaters on July 19, 2019.