The CGI teaser trailer for Disney's "The Lion King" dropped and I could not be more excited. Growing up, I despised the movie because watching Mufasa's death scene made me blubber so hard that my face would be numb. Once I discovered that fast-forwarding was actually a thing and the lion's death played a pivotal role in the plot, it became one of my favorite Disney movies.
In middle school, my chorus teacher announced that our two classes would be performing "The Lion King" and there was nothing I wanted more in this world to portray Nala. Auditions came and went. I was the understudy for Simba, but given the role of Ed, the less intelligent out of Uncle Scar's trio of hyenas. I could easily quote every single line in that movie having to rehearse it multiple times a day. I cringed at people trying to sing the Swahili songs, having actually learned the meaning and correct pronunciation. Naturally, when the touring Broadway show came to a nearby theater, my mom bought me tickets for my birthday. I was mesmerized, the show had taken my breath away on multiple occasions. Totally recommend it if you haven't seen the show.
The CGI adaptation presents us with an all-star cast, including Queen Bey, Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, and the OG voice of Mufasa: James Earl Jones. Let's be honest, the movie just wouldn't be the same without the iconic deep tones of Simba's father. Personally, I am incapable of waiting to hear the song "Can You Feel The Love Tonight?" about Simba and Nala's emerging love performed by Beyoncé and Donald Glover. Can you feel my heart ripping out from all the feels tonight? The original composer of the 1994 movie, Hans Zimmer, returns to sprinkle a bit of his musical genius. Maybe there will be new songs and possibly songs from the Broadway musical? Only time will tell.
There have been multiple posts on social media, asking Disney how they expect viewers not to cry in the theater when the new CGI Simba tries to wake up his father after the stampede. Many are saying a thank you to James Earl Jones for staying alive and well to voice Mufasa again in the remake. My favorite are a mixture of Bey's famous performances with a dash of "The Lion King." Do you expect anything less from the BeyHive/"The Lion King" fandom on Twitter? People are also calling the movie "live-action" when Disney animators had spent around 22 months working on the project. One Twitter user said they were expecting Bey in a lion costume.
wow I just watched that new lion king trailer and I completely misunderstood what live action meant because I kept… https://t.co/rOPvUUeaBx— anaïs slaythers (@anaïs slaythers) 1543075624.0
The 2019 adaptation of this masterpiece is set to hit theaters on July 19th and I will push young children out of the way to get a good seat. For now, hakuna matata.
