Director Jon Favreau is filling out his cast for The Lion King with an inspired choice for Simba and the only choice for Mufasa. Donald Glover has been cast as the young lion Simba and James Earl Jones will return as Simba’s father, Mufasa. Jones originally voiced Mufasa in Disney’s animated classic and that voice was just too iconic to try and replace in Favreau’s CG/live-action adaptation for The Walt Disney Studios.
Favreau shared the exiting news on Twitter.
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
Glover is an outstanding choice for Simba. His star is on the rise thanks to his days on the NBC series Community, his own critically-acclaimed series Atlanta, and his role as Lando Calrissian in the upcoming young Han Solo Star Wars Story. His unique creative energy and brilliant comedic timing should lead to a performance that is all his own while satisfying the original film’s many fans.
