New ‘Lion King’ Feature Film To Be Directed By Jon Favreau

Jon Favreau has enjoyed a short but prosperous relationship with Walt Disney Studios. He directed the recent live-action The Jungle Book reimagining, which earned a lot of money. In fact, Disney had enough confidence in Favreau’s The Jungle Book to announce a sequel to it days before it hit theaters.

Unsurprisingly, Disney is pleased and the relationship between both parties will continue. Disney has just announced their next collaboration: a reimagining of another Disney classic, The Lion King.

According to Disney’s press release, Favreau’s The Lion King is “on the fast track to production,” and it will continue Disney’s newfound tradition of updating their classic films for the modern era.

Another film in this lineage, Beauty and the Beast, is slated for release next year. Both Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King will incorporate songs from their original incarnations.

The Lion King first roared on screen in 1994. The original film grossed a total of $968.8 million, and it won many awards. Two direct-to-video flicks, The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride and The Lion King 1½, were produced, in addition to two cartoon shows. The second television program, The Lion Guard, debuted last year with a made-for-television film. The Lion Guard is currently on the air, and it has been renewed for a second season.

Broadway was graced with an adaption of the original film in 1997, which, you guessed it, was also a massive hit. The Lion King has also been immortalized through an abundance of tie-in media and merchandise, including books, video games and toys.