Disney has released a series of character posters for the highly anticipated new film The Lion King. The movie is, of course, based on the iconic 1994 Disney animated film, but this time around director Jon Favreau (The Jungle Book, Iron Man) is utilizing cutting-edge technology to present a world full of photoreal characters. That means the African animals that populate the film are all made to look completely real, to the point that you’d be forgiven for mistaking this for a “live-action remake” even though it’s mostly animated.
The screenplay by Jeff Nathanson (Catch Me If You Can) is expected to cover the major beats of the previous film, albeit with new twists here and there. Hans Zimmer returns to compose the score, and some of the iconic songs from the original will return, but it’ll be fun to see what new surprises await.
For an even closer look at the cast of characters, peruse through the posters below the new TV spot. The voice cast includes Donald Glover as Simba, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, James Earl Jones as Mufasa, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, Billy Eichner as Timon, and John Oliver as Zazu. The Lion King opens in theaters on July 19th.
Here’s the official synopsis for The Lion King:
Disney’s “The Lion King, directed by Jon Favreau (“The Jungle Book”), 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.
via Collider