Donald Glover will voice Simba and James Earl Jones will return as Mufasa in Disney’s upcoming remake of The Lion King.
Director Jon Favreau (The Jungle Book, Iron Man) made the announcement Friday night on Twitter.
In the original film, young Simba was voiced by Jonathan Taylor Thomas (now 35 years old) and the older version of Simba was voiced by Matthew Broderick. It’s unknown if two actors will play the different versions of Simba in the remake, and if so which version Glover would play. His voice is dynamic enough where you can legitimately make the case for both.
I just can’t wait to be king. #Simba pic.twitter.com/wUYKixMBJI
— Jon Favreau (@Jon_Favreau) February 18, 2017
Looking forward to working with this legend. #Mufasa pic.twitter.com/1LszbWrcYT
— Jon Favreau (@Jon_Favreau) February 18, 2017
You may know Glover from his music as Childish Gambino or his acting work in movies like The Martian and TV shows like Community and Atlanta. Disney must be a big fan of the 33-year-old as he is also set to appear in Spider-Man: Homecoming and as Lando Calrissian in the Han Solo spinoff movie.
Jones has reprised the role of Mufasa in the direct-to-video sequel, The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride, as well as an episode of the Lion Guard animated TV show currently airing on the Disney Channel. The actor most recently returned as the voice of Darth Vader in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
The Lion King is the latest Disney movie to get the remake treatment. A Beauty and the Beast remake with Emma Watson as Belle comes out on March 17 and a Mulan remake is set for November 2018.
