James Earl Jones will reprise his role as Mufasa in the live-action version of THE LION KING, which he voiced in the animated version.
The Lion King director Jon Favreau, who also directed the live-action version of Disney’s The Jungle Book, has officially announced the casting of two major roles in the live-action version. James Earl Jones and Donald Glover will be playing Mufasa and Simba, respectively.
Looking forward to working with this legend. #Mufasa pic.twitter.com/1LszbWrcYT
— Jon Favreau (@Jon_Favreau) February 18, 2017
I just can’t wait to be king. #Simba pic.twitter.com/wUYKixMBJI
— Jon Favreau (@Jon_Favreau) February 18, 2017
The casting just gave us more than enough reason to watch the re-imagining of a timeless classic. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have one of the originals join the cast.
The original animated version hit theaters in 1993, which Jones was involved in as the voice of Mufasa. Donald Glover, who will be voicing the adult version of Simba in the movie, was 10 years old when The Lion King came out. We can only imagine how surreal it is for Glover if he actually saw the movie then and will now be playing the role of Simba with the same guy who played Simba’s father.
So far, all we can say for Glover is that it’s becoming a banner year for him, what with being cast in the Han Solo standalone movie, winning a Golden Globe for the FX series Atlanta, and now this.
As for James Earl Jones, Mufasa just wouldn’t be Mufasa without Jones. Much goes the same for his own connection to the Star Wars galaxy, as the voice of Darth Vader in the saga, including Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and the animated series Star Wars Rebels.
And not to leave out Jon Favreau, he is still also an actor and will be reprising his role as Happy Hogan in the upcoming Marvel movie, Spider-Man: Homecoming.
The Lion King does not have a release date at this time.
(Source)