Last month, we got our first look at Jon Favreau's live-action/CGI remake of
The Lion King. It came in the form of a teaser trailer that essentially recreated the iconic opening scene of the 1994 animated film while sprinkling in a few other memorable moments that one might recognize from their childhood.
Looking at the teaser, one would assume Favreau was creating a shot-for-shot remake of the animated classic, but Disney assures that's not the case. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney's Sean Baily, who oversees the company's live-action film studio, assured things will be different in the live-action adaptation.
The Lion King is a revered and beloved movie, so you'd better revere and love those parts that the audience wants. But there are things in the movie that are going to be new. [And] it is a new form of filmmaking. Historical definitions don't work. It uses some techniques that would traditionally be called animation, and other techniques that would traditionally be called live action. It is an evolution of the technology Jon used in Jungle Book.
Director Jon Favreau is tasked with creating something fresh and new for audiences while still paying tribute to the original work.
The Lion King is one of the highest-grossing animated films of all time with a lifetime global box office just shy of $1 billion. The film is universally adored so it makes sense that a large portion of the story will pretty much stay the same. Obviously, the change from cartoon to realistic CGI will make it a different experience, but I'm also sure the way certain scenes unfold will be different from the original as well. Overall though, it sounds like the main story will remain intact with just slight wrinkles.
From Disney Live Action, director Jon Favreau’s all-new “The Lion King” journeys to the African savanna where a future king must overcome betrayal and tragedy to assume his rightful place on Pride Rock.
The Lion King is set to release on July 19, 2019.