Reimagined The Lion King confirmed

I knew it! I always though that the new "The Jungle Book" is just a safe test ground before making a serious move and doing the same with "The Lion King". :irule:

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September 28, 2016
Disney and Jon Favreau Joining Forces on “The Lion King”

We can officially confirm that The Walt Disney Studios and director Jon Favreau are putting a new reimagining of The Lion King on the fast track to production. The project follows the technologically groundbreaking smash hit The Jungle Book, directed by Favreau, which debuted in April and has earned $965.8 million worldwide.

The Lion King builds on Disney’s success of reimagining its classics for a contemporary audience with films like Maleficent, Cinderella, and The Jungle Book. The upcoming Beauty and the Beast, starring Emma Watson as Belle, is already one of the most anticipated movies of 2017. Like Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King will include songs from the animated film. Disney and Favreau are also in development on a sequel to The Jungle Book. No release date has been announced for either film.

The Lion King (1994) is one of the biggest animated films of all time with a lifetime global box office gross of $968.8 million, including $422.8 million domestically. It won Academy Awards for the original song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” (Elton John, Tim Rice) and original score (Hans Zimmer), plus two Grammy Awards, with the soundtrack selling over 14 million copies. In 1997, the stage production The Lion King made its Broadway debut, winning six Tony Awards; 19 years later, it remains one of Broadway’s biggest hits alongside several other productions running around the world, including London, Hamburg, Tokyo, Madrid, Mexico City, Shanghai, and North America. Translated into eight different languages, its 23 global productions have been seen by more than 85 million people across every continent except Antarctica. The Lion King’s worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or other entertainment title in box office history.

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https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/dis...the-lion-king/

I'm excited. And a little bit worried, but mostly optymistic! :D

Now I wonder... what about "Brother Bear"? :hmm:

Oh gods. No. Please no ;__;

This really makes me so, so sad. :cs_sad_3: I know it was probably inevitable, but... somehow I hoped that they would leave TLK alone.

I almost had a heart attack when I heard the news:cs_yikes_1: and I had prepared for it beforehand, it would come eventually ><

I have very mixed feelings about this. I am partly excited for the news, and I'm glad Favreau is helming the project. But this isn't The Jungle Book, unlike that one, TLK is timeless and a groundbreaking success, and it doesn't feel dated like TJB. It would be like remaking Jurassic Park, crazy.

But I guess we'll have to accept it, so I look forward to hear more news

Jon Favreau and team did a good job with The Jungle Book, so the news that he'll be involved with the re-imagined TLK also makes me optimistic. I doubt any of us feels like a remake is necessary, but if it inspires a new generation of fans, who am I to argue.

I thinking because they fast tracking the production it will be released at the earliest holiday season 2017 latest early 2018. I can't wait to see who they cast for the roles

IMO this would be interesting instead of being a disaster. :confused:

and I would definitely agree with Woes' statement.

My opinion ? ill quote what i wrote on FB

"I knew this was going to happen sooner or later..... xD. I'm actually quite excited in a way, and before you hate me.

1. Jungle book was like 80% CGI and animals and was brilliant.
2. If the stage show never existed and someone told me "what if they made a stage show" I would of laughed in their face and said it would be terrible and no way they could pull it off, but yet they did.
3.I'm not saying its going to be better then the original. I'm not expecting it to be amazing in it self (though if it were to be, it would be a bonus) I'm excited in the sense of a different take on how the story is told and the visual effects capability (First ever Animated to full CGI "live action" film to be made). How the animators are going to portray lifelike versions of the characters and of course how the soundtrack is going to sound like.

I'm never a big fan of re-makes but i always give them a chance if they show effort and love for the film, not just a cheap production for quick cash. Im hoping this film wont be the latter"

May i also add that im sure that no matter what happens, nothing will change the original and that will stay exactly how it is, we can go back and enjoy any time we like cant we ?. Like jungle book they twisted it around, added things and taken stuff away and it worked very well. I will always see the animated and live action as 2 completely different films in different "universes".

As long as they do it with realistic looking lions (look how old Lion witch and the wardrobe is now and how amazing Aslan looked back then), set in realistic looking settings with its own unique charm then im looking forward to how they pull it off. Also if Hans Zimmer returns for the soundtrack i will most defiantly have a fanboy squeal moment xD

My first thought was and still is "I hate everything." Followed by writhing on the floor foaming at the mouth and lowing like a dying beast.

Since I've had all afternoon to realize I have not died, my only thought now and the light at the end of the tunnel, (that I am being dragged towards like a hooked fish being pulled to it's inevitable doom at the surface,) is that at least the hyenas will now finally look like actual hyenas.

But mostly still wishing I could leap into a cage of them and end it. :P

...

*writes the word "DENIAL" on a giant cardboard box*

*sits in the giant cardboard box*

*pulls the cardboard box lid closed*

That shouldn't come as a surprise after the success of the Jungle Book. A few years ago I would be very skeptical, but now I'm more curious of how this will look like. Don't forget, it will not make the original movie any less adorable, although I think it happens way to soon. At the 30th or even 40th anniversary of TLK, when all the hypes of TLG and the re-releases of TLK long vanished, it would imho have much more effect. They developed the technology and the framework now to accelerate the production and since D$ is a profit-oriented company they make the best of it. I'm only a bit concern about the "on the fast track" statement. Part of the story development they can save now, which took a long time in TLK, for almost four years they were refining the story until we saw the end result we all love. I hope they take at least some time to rethink the story and adapt it to the new technology, exploring its new possibilities without stupidly adding random action sequences.

I'm wondering if they can put a part of the original voice cast back together? That in conjunction with Hans Zimmer doing the score and Lebo M. the singing would increase the probability of a large success by 1000 percent. ;)

I don't know ... just leave it alone, lol.

But indeed, I told him first, lol, if they can make them look like Aslan ...

And voices, oh God ... I know you need to leave the original alone when watching something new, but this'll be extra hard, and no one will be able to beat the original animated movie voice cast :p

I agree that if they had to do this, doing it for the 30th or 40th anniversary would have made more sense... On the other hand, sure, now's a good time to ride the TLG hype too I guess.

Argh, I just can't see how a "reimagined" Lion King is going to look much different from this, but with more CGI. There's an amount of expressive stylisation in TLK that, I think, just isn't suitable for photo realism. They're gonna have to do some really groundbreaking work and improve a lot from Jungle Book to make this work...

Also like I saw DJ88 say, now we're going to have people say "Did you see The Lion King? No, no, the original. The cartoon." and that for some reason makes me really sad :C

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Originally Posted by KanuTGL

Also like I saw DJ88 say, now we're going to have people say "Did you see The Lion King? No, no, the original. The cartoon." and that for some reason makes me really sad :C

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Now that you mention this ... yeah :/

Same could be said about the musical years ago and noone seems to have the problem with that. ;)

The musical is not a movie though :p

Oooh, when I first heard about the musical, I was also "please God no!" haha

And to be very honest, I'm still not a very huge fan of the musical.
Yes, I've seen it 4 times now, but the first time was just *because* you know ... hehe.
The other times have very much more to do with the actors and their live performances (as in = the songs mainly)

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Originally Posted by KanuTGL

The musical is not a movie though :p

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This, musicals are entirely different art forms. Plus a few other things that feed in to it.

1.) There's this obnoxious smugness about all of these remakes. Like, look how shiny and advanced our CG technology is now and aren't those old ones just so quaint? Let's show them up or redo them because we're soooooo much better.

2.) "Share them with the next generation! " How about letting the next generation have their own s--- instead of giving them ours whether we want you to or not? Everyone I know if they want to share something with the next generation has done or will do so of their own volition, in it's original form.

3.) I don't think it coincidence that the demise of traditional animation goes hand in hand with the democratization and household use of digital art technology. Suddenly anyone with a scanner and photoshop can draw and stack layers, so quick, let's change formats to something infinitely more technologically arcane that people can't do on their own so they don't start to think they can do this stuff themselves! One of the most passionate rants I ever heard at a concert was a musician pleading the same thing to their audience--don't think of music as something only other people can do! CG and 3D animation makes animation a specialist arena again.

4.) These dumb big baby Millennials! They're just overgrown arrested children and stupid with their money with their living at home with their parents selves, throw some no$talgia at them and those fools we love to complain about being immature so much will just *pour* their money into it! Lets exploit their childhoods for a quick buck some more! How easily manipulated are they!

It isn't just a Lion King remake for me, although its the biggest straw. Why the f--- do we need a new Jumanji. WHY? Robin Williams is barely cold yet, WTF. Is the old one really that unrelatable?

I've just reached a point where I want to tell all of them to eff off. My younger years weren't always great. These movies were my happy place and refuge from that. I'm too invested in them and they're all being run rough-shod over. It's become friggin predatory.

And that's my tantrum/rant, lol.

My only concern is only how they will beat up the original voice acting in the new movie, I really really love and admire Moira Kelly's voice, I just want someone who vulnerable and shaken how Pride Rock turned into a wasteland like in Broadway and in the movie. Nala is still my go to personality for a partner. Matthew is really great as Simba and also Taylor who did justice as a cub. But for me for what I am concern is voicing Nala, Simba, Rafiki, Scar and Mufasa. They can't replace Vader at all in all Star Wars game and I don't think someone could ever match up James Earl Jones' voice. Jeremy Irons could jump in again to become Scar. I'm afraid that they would hire Kevin Hart as the Hyenas or something.

*peeks out of her cardboard box*

Far be it for me to be optimistic or seek a theoretical silver lining, but perhaps this remake could bring some new folks to the forum? Maybe...? I can hope...maybe it won't be terrible...

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Originally Posted by nathalie

And to be very honest, I'm still not a very huge fan of the musical.

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Same here - I'm an ex-stage tech, so I did appreciate the execution and the set design, but that's as far as it goes. I've only seen it once, and that was only because someone else paid for the ticket.

...or maybe I have seen it twice? I can't remember...bah, stupid brain.

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Originally Posted by cleargreenwater

Why the f--- do we need a new Jumanji.

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Wait, whut?! Nyet.

I am still going to sit here and hope that they don't go the CGI animal route. Who knows what "reimagined" means anymore. I also still just want a film of the musical. Well... an official film. :p

I doubt they'll ever make a film of the musical, as awesome as that sounds :uhno:
Like I said, I have mixed feelings, but I guess I can be excited and curious about what new perspective will they give to TLK. The original will always be around anyway, as long as they don't touch it I'm good.

My concern is that many people are saying they're confident since the animals looked alright in The Jungle Book, when it's just simply not the same case. In TLK they'll have to do more than make realistic lions move their lips. Not even Aslan in the Narnia series looked very expressive, and I can't imagine how they'll make Zazu, Timon or Pumbaa (herbivores in The Jungle Book were barely expressive at all). But I'm also confident that they have these things considered and will come up with a solution. Maybe they won't be as realistic as in Jungle Book, who knows.

As for the cast... Mufasa is the hardest one, James Earl Jones is irreplaceable, so I'm hoping they're considering bringing him back. Jeremy Irons would also be very hard to recast, I wouldn't like anyone else, but Benedict Cumberbatch gets pretty close :p

Casting wise for it Nathan Lane is the only choice for timon
Mufasa: James earl jones or Keith David
Sarabi: Angela Bassett
Adult simba: Jason deruelo
Adult Nala: brandy
Zazu: Hugh Laurie
Scar: pierce brosnan
Rafiki: idris Elba
Shenzi: whoopi Goldberg
Banzai: George Lopez
Ed: Jim Cummings
Pumbaa: Kevin James
As far as young simba and young nala they can always get actors who played them on Broadway

Hugh Laurie would be a good candidate as Zazu or Scar. I'm still see Jeremy Irons as Scar in every movie he starred.

Someone even mentioned John Cleese as Zazu.

Well, John Cleese was considered for Zazu in the original, I don't see why not xD

Anyway, an artist (George Evangelista) made this after the announcement of the remake was made, it's his idea of what the movie might end up looking like. I personally like the art itself, it's pretty cool, but for an entire movie to look like this? I don't think so :P they better come up with something looking much better than this, otherwise it'll be a movie with many Aslans, which I think would look boring ><

http://orig08.deviantart.net/40db/f/...en-dajjbow.jpg

I'd love to have a score like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLIO...ature=youtu.be

It's so awesome! :D

Finally getting around to commenting on this :p

I am highly apprehensive, but also excited about this. Is it too soon? Yes, I think so. That doesn't mean that it can't be awesome though. I think that the Lion King is quite fortunate that a re-imagening in CGI of the original story can be built upon using songs and music from the musical in addition to the movie. I kinda hope it's actually going to be quite dark, at least the parts that should be. More of the Pridelands during Scar's reign etc. I think there's a lot of potential for a truly beautiful movie, but obviously loving the original so much, it will be much easier to judge harshly.

Like Kirauni, I also have very high hopes for the score. If we end up with anything like the Bare Neccesities Theme OST then I shall be highly pleased. A good score gives me chills! :D

I'm interested to see how they handle Mufasa's death. His on-screen death was a pretty big deal and I would hate for the lasting impression that makes to be taken away for the sake of sensitivities. They better be animating some damn good emotions into those characters, I want to be bawling my eyes out!

Here's a new article with Jon Favreau talking about how they'll use VR technology to develop the movie. This is certainly interesting :ooo:
http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/new...king#/slide/33

Also, the screenplay is going to be written by Jeff Nathanson (Catch Me If You Can, The Terminal, Tower Heist)

As a die-hard fan I'm terrified of what this might be like!

Part of me agrees with Azerane, in that I hope it's 'dark'. I guess TLK was considered 'dark' by early 1990's Disney standards because it made most kids bawl their eyes out half way through (and it still gets met even now!).

There's something subtly profound about TLK, more so than any other film (Disney or otherwise) and it's very hard to quantify. When I look at the picture by George Evangelista (posted by Leorgathar) and listen to the epic orchestral cover (posted by Kirauni) I feel this would be the perfect tone for a remake! Sigh...if only!

I just hope they remain true to the spirit of the original when thinking about a re-make.

GUYS! GUYS!!!!

Big news on this, Jon Favreau just tweeted that James Earl Jones will be back as Mufasa!! :D

And that's not all, he also tweeted who will be the new voice for Adult Simba, and it's Donald Glover!!! :simbahappy3: That's a very good choice I think. He'll also play young Lando Calrissian in the upcoming Han Solo movie

Link

Already mentioned that I'm very excited about this. Very pleased that Mr Earl Jones will be returning, I just don't think the character would be the same without him as his voice is just far too distinct. Donald Glover is also a good choice I think, a nice strong voice that should carry the character well :)

I'm actually excited for this adaption! I was also very pleased to learn that James Earl Jones is returning as Mufasa! There is simply no other voice for him inmy opinion! :cheese: I believe they chose a great voice for Simba too. I can't wait to see what he brings to the character. I've seen him in Community and that's about it, but I'm still eager to see his voice acting talents as a beloved character!!! :)

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Originally Posted by Kopa

I'm actually excited for this adaption! I was also very pleased to learn that James Earl Jones is returning as Mufasa! There is simply no other voice for him in my opinion! :cheese:

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I'm thinking another deep voice or Vader's clone, Jonathan Adams, who play Tyrael in Diablo 3. He would be cool if he tried to audition.

If they didn't get James earl jones as mufasa which I am happy they did I would have loved to have seen Keith David as mufasa. Love the choice of Donald glover as simba. Can't wait to see who else will be cast especially who they get as scar

I am still just freaking p***ed off at this "reimagination" :p I don't even care that James Earl Jones is back.

Why are they doing this. Whyyyy.

I listened to a clip where this Donald person speaks. At first I thought "hmm, he sounds kind of like Matthew but a bit more sharper".
Then I kept listening to him, and I thought "what's he gonna be, young or adult Simba?"

No, not impressed so far. Just like I thought I would be, haha.

I'll try and not form opinions anymore untill it actually comes out :lol:

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Originally Posted by KanuTGL

I am still just freaking p***ed off at this "reimagination" :p I don't even care that James Earl Jones is back.

Why are they doing this. Whyyyy.

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I feel the same way this far. I just don't feel like such a remake was necessary. I like the Lion King as it is. You could say I'm a purist I guess.:p

The one thing that sparked my interest when it was first announced was the potential extra depth and maturity to the story...still not enough to make me feel hyped for this though...I feel a little sad about it.:rafikisad:

All I know is: Do we need it? No. Do we want it? Maybe. Will we watch it? Heck yes! :lol:

I'm curious if they're going to ask Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella to reprise their roles. I feel like Sabella would, since he's still voicing Pumbaa on The Lion Guard. At the same time, another comedy duo who already get along well could also provide some fresh comic relief. (My mind immediately goes to the guys from Flight of the Conchords for comedy duos, but I have no idea if they'd be appropriate; or would even do it, other than Jemaine Clement having done some Disney voices.)

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Originally Posted by Vidan

All I know is: Do we need it? No. Do we want it? Maybe. Will we watch it? Heck yes! :lol:

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That exactly! :D

Very well said indeed, haha