'The Lion King' trivia and fun facts
Jon Favreau
This will be Jon Favreau's second live action Disney movie based on a Disney animated movie after directing 'Jungle Book' (2016).
More realistic animals
In the original film, Timon always stood, walked, and ran on his hind legs. Nonetheless, here he will be portrayed in a more realistic way, due to meerkats never walk on two legs, but on all fours.
Teaser Trailer
The first teaser, which was released on Thanksgiving, contains images very similar to many shots of the original film, specifically the one of the presentation of Simba as heir to the throne.
Tribute premiere
This film will be released on the 25th anniversary of 'The Lion King' (1994).
Same Studio
Seth Rogen (Pumbaa), Beyoncé (Nala) and James Earl Jones (Mufasa) were in films by Blue Sky Studios. Rogen was in 'Horton', Knowles was in 'Epic' and Jones was in 'Robots'.
Moonlight
The hyena Azizi is slightly deranged. Azizi means "moonlight" and is associated with mental illness. Eric Andre plays Azizi in this adaptation, which is perfect because his silly style of humor is very unique and out of context.
African lions
Unlike the 1994 original animated film, all of the Lions in this production are voiced by African-American actors, whereas in the Original only Mufasa and Sarabi were.
African names
Two of the hyenas are given African names. The hyenas Banzai and Ed are being changed to Kamari and Azizi. Shenzi's name remains the same.
Saturation of remakes
Disney has released in just a few months of 2019 three live action remakes of its classics: 'Dumbo', 'Aladdin' and 'The Lion King'.
More footage
Despite having been calificated as a copy almost shot-to-shot from the animation film, this new version of 'The Lion King' runs 118 minutes, adding more than half an hour comparing with the original (85 minutes).
The first one to reprise
First remake of a Disney animated feature film where a voice actor from the original reprises their role, with James Earl Jones giving his voice to Mufasa one more time.
Chemistry granted
Billy Eichner (Timon) and Seth Rogen (Pumbaa) recorded their lines together, much like how Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella did so in the original 1994 animated film. Moreover, Eichner and Rogen acted together before in the savage comedy 'Bad Neighbors 2'.
From the Oscars to Disney
This is the second collaboration in a film between Alfre Woodard (Sarabi) and Chiwetel Ejiofor (Scar), after '12 Years a Slave'.
Doctor Scar
Jon Favreau cast Chiwetel Ejiofor in the role of Scar as he had impressed Favreau after watching his antagonistic performance as Baron Mordo in 'Doctor Strange'.
Goodbye, old Scar
Jeremy Irons was disappointed that he didn't get to reprise his role as Scar, as James Earl Jones got to reprise his role as Mufasa.
Musical's songs
The film may employ songs from the "Lion King" musical, particularly "Shadowlands" (a song dedicated to Nala).
Star Wars
Both Donald Glover and James Earl Jones have worked on Star Wars movies, though on separate occasions. James Earl Jones provides the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars films that he appeared in, and Donald Glover is set to appear as Lando Calrissian in the Untitled Han Solo Star Wars Anthology Film (2018).
Dobletes
James Earl Jones, Hans Zimmer, and Elton John are the only people who worked on the original animated film that reprise their respective roles, as the voice of Mufasa, the composer of the film, and songwriter.