Donald Glover Cast as Simba in 'Lion King' Remake
Donald Glover is about to roar on the big screen in a reboot of The Lion King.
The Golden Globe-winning actor, also known as Childish Gambino, has been cast as Simba in a remake of the 1994 Disney classic, which will be directed by Jon Favreau (The Jungle Book, Ironman).
James Earl Jones will reprise his role as Mufasa, the father of Simba, who he famously voiced in the original film, according to Favreau.
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
Favreau has been a fan of Glover for some time now. “By the way, full disclosure: I see your face every day when I wake up my 15-year-old son because on his door is a portrait of you,” he told the “Atlanta” star during an “Epic Conversation” for The Hollywood Reporter. “It’s just you looking very handsome, staring at me as I’m waking my son up. He knows you through your music. I came up in the improv community, so I know you more through that. And we’re both a little bit nerdy and into comics and stuff.”
The Lion King remake won’t exactly be a live action film. It will reportedly be similar to Favreau’s The Jungle Book, which blended human actors with special effects. Jeff Nathanson (Catch Me If You Can, Rush Hour 2) is writing this version of the iconic story.
Simba isn’t the only legendary role that Glover is taking on. He’s also set to play Lando Calrissian in an upcoming Star Wars spinoff film.
Gambino recently inked a production deal with FX. In January, he also won two Golden Globes for his work on “Atlanta.”