Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen join the Disney family, cast as Timon and Pumbaa in live-action 'The Lion King'

Image from Slash Film

By Darian Scalamoni

            The pieces are rapidly coming together on the live-action version of The Lion King for Disney with even more news coming today. According to The Wrap, Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen have been cast as Timon and Pumbaa respectively in some more shocking casting news.

            Many pegged comedic duo Keegan Michael-Key and Jordan Peele as frontrunners for the roles but Eichner and Rogen have been selected as the beloved meerkat and warthog duo. I thought that Rogen was going to be the choice as Pumbaa as soon as the live-action remake was announced but Billy Eichner was a name that wasn’t on my mind when thinking of Timon, though I think it works tremendously. Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella voiced the characters in the original 1995 animated film.

            Eichner is best known for his Funny or Die series, Billy on the Street as well as his leading role in the Hulu comedy, Difficult People. I discovered Eichner on Parks and Recreation as Craig Middlebrooks before he quickly rose in popularity for his demeanor and often yelling in most projects he was in. He also appeared in the Seth Rogen-starring Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising so this won’t be the first time we see the two teaming up on screen. Rogen will be seen next in the dramedy based on The Room titled The Disaster Artist co-starring one of his frequent collaborators, James Franco.

            What do you guys think of the news of Eichner and Rogen playing Timon and Pumbaa in The Lion King live-action remake? If you’re not a fan of the choices, who would you have rather seen in the roles? Sound off below in the comments and let us know!