Disney’s The Lion King (2019) may be a near reflection of the animated original, but director Jon Favreau’s use of groundbreaking and innovative Photo Real technology allows audiences to experience a familiar story in a whole new way. But not only did Favreau use these sets of tools for the reimagining, but he also brought in a cast that would help carry the film. Comprised of mostly black actors, this new take on The Lion King is a celebration of African culture and an opportunity for young black children to feel that they matter.

Geeks Of Doom joined their fellow journalists at the global press conference of The Lion King where Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alfre Woodard, Keegan-Michael Key, Florence Kasumba, Eric Andre, John Kani, JD McCrary, and Shahadi Wright Joseph shared their own experience making the film, being able to improv and riff, the legacy of the animated original, identity, and so much more. Check out what they had to say here below.

The Lion King
Director: Jon Favreau
Writer: Jeff Nathanson
Cast: Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alfre Woodard, Billy Eichner, John Kani, John Oliver, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, James Earl Jones
Distributor: Walt Disney Studios
Rated PG | Minutes: 118
Release Date: July 19, 2019

When it comes to Disney animated films, The Lion King is considered to be one of the studio’s shining crown jewels. Released 25 years ago, the film raised the bar on animation and storytelling so high that it made it nearly impossible for any other animated feature from other studios to come close to its quality and standards. As such, there is no denying the film’s place within the Disney animation pantheon.

We then flash forward to 2019, when director Jon Favreau took the lessons that he learned from making the live-action The Jungle Book, and used tools and techniques to tell a beloved story in a new way that is visually bold and striking. Backed by a terrific voice cast including Donald Glover, Beyoncé Knowles, Billy Eichner, and Seth Rogen, The Lion King roars with astounding pride. But as great as it is and how respectful it is to honor the original, this reimagining’s major issue is that it takes too little risk to separate itself from its animated counterpart. This new take matches the story almost beat for beat. However, the new cast gives it a refreshing spin, and the visuals help audiences see the film from a completely new perspective. My full review below.

Disney’s reimagining of their 1994 animated classic The Lion King is set to hit theaters later this month, and in anticipation of the film’s release, the studio has unveiled a brand new batch of photos.

But these aren’t your ordinary photos. Since the film touts some of the most advanced photorealistic technology to date, it matches the cast with the respective characters they are voicing. Check out the images below.

The marketing campaign for Disney’s upcoming The Lion King has relied a lot more on the visual than the auditory. We haven’t heard much from the cast, at least not directly. Any dialogue heard came from characters that are out of sight.

But that all changes with this new TV spot which reveals Beyoncé Knowles as the voice of Nala. Check out the TV Spot below.

Disney has released 11 new posters for director Jon Favreau‘s retelling of The Lion King. The film features the voices of Donald Glover as Simba, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, James Earl Jones as Mufasa, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, Alfre Woodard as Sarabi, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, Billy Eichner as Timon, John Kani as Rafiki, John Oliver as Zazu, JD McCrary as young Simba, and Shahadi Wright Joseph as young Nala. The new posters feature each of these characters.

Based on the 1994 animated film of the same name, pioneering filmmaking techniques have been used to bring the iconic characters to the big screen in a whole new way. In addition to the new posters, Disney has also released a special preview of the upcoming film that highlights all of the visual effects that are used to bring these animals to life. You can check out all of the posters and the video below.