First cast members announced for live-action version of 'The Lion King' as James Earl Jones returns and Donald Glover is set to play Simba

Images from Twitter

By Darian Scalamoni

            Jon Favreau’s last film, the live-action re-telling of The Jungle Book was in my top 10 of 2016 and with him taking the reins behind The Lion King live-action movie, I’ve been excited and hopeful that he will do an amazing job with one of the greatest animated properties of all-time. Now, we have our first two choices for the cast and I’m ecstatic. According to Deadline, James Earl Jones and Donald Glover have been cast in The Lion King. Favreau revealed the choices in two separate Tweets.

            James Earl Jones is obviously connected to the original 1994 animated movie as he voiced Mufasa and will reprise his role in this carnation. Glover will voice adult Simba in the film, in which Matthew Broderick voiced the character in the original. These two choices are superb as many couldn’t imagine anyone else doing the role of Mufasa other than Jones who has an iconic voice after doing that respective role as well as being the voice of Darth Vader. Glover has quickly risen to the top of Hollywood stardom after his FX original series, Atlanta garnered plenty of success including an award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy at this year’s Golden Globes. Glover is also a musical talent under the moniker, Childish Gambino, which will be essential in the movie as its set to feature many musical numbers like the original. The animated version of the movie is one of the highest grossing animated films of all-time with a global box office of $968.8 million.

            Jones hasn’t been seen in much lately but did lend his voice to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story for the legendary role of Darth Vader. Glover on the other hand is everywhere and is also within the Star Wars universe. He’s set to play Lando Calrissian in the untitled Han Solo movie directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller. He also has a role in Spider-Man: Homecoming and with a Marvel, Lucasfilm and original Disney property in the works for the rapper/actor, it seems that him and Disney have a tremendous relationship going forward.