The first teaser trailer for Disney’s live-action remake of The Lion King has been released.
Set to come out next summer, the film has huge names attached to it including Beyonce, Donald Glover, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Seth Rogan.
In the trailer we see the familiar opening moments of the story, where Rafiki presents a young Simba to the animals of the Pride Lands.
It was aired during NFL’s traditional Thanksgiving primetime game in the US.
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Fans of the original film were pleased to hear the trailer narrated by James Earl Jones, who plays king Mufasa in both the 1994 original and next year’s film.
Here’s a hit of nostalgia for you:
I’m just so happy to hear James Earl Jones’s voice. https://t.co/BPuZizYNeF
— Jason Reynolds News (@JasonReynolds83) November 23, 2018
Me last year: “I have no interest in a live action lion king
when James Earl Jones started speaking in the trailer: pic.twitter.com/LJRbPO8atp
— T (@Tearrrrr__) November 22, 2018
The trailer suggests the new film is following the original story – although with Simba looking so clear in the trailer, some people are worried about what that means for his dad…
me watching simba in the lion king trailer vs me thinking about mufasa’s death in hd that we are going to see next summer pic.twitter.com/ptGGbSuA2l
— tiny t⎊ny (@woIvern) November 22, 2018
It’s directed by Jon Favreau, who was behind the successful live-action remake of The Jungle Book.
Donald Glover will play Simba, Beyonce will play his mum Nala and Chiwetel Ejiofor will play his uncle Scar.
“It is a director’s dream to assemble a talented team like this to bring this classic story to life,” Jon said.
#TheLionKing. 2019. 🦁👑 pic.twitter.com/UMJo18FwDt
— Disney (@Disney) November 1, 2017
Last year Newsbeat spoke to the cast of London’s Lion King musical about the new film.
And Janique Charles, who plays Nala in the West End, had some advice for Beyonce.
Beyoncé, here's some advice from the cast of The Lion King musical in London 🦁
"Try not to outshine [the rest of the cast]" 🤔💅🏾 pic.twitter.com/ZN6jF5URku
— BBC Newsbeat (@BBCNewsbeat) November 3, 2017
Fan reaction to the new trailer has been largely positive, especially from young Americans who were watching during the football.
THIS IS SO
ICONIC
POETIC
POWERFUL
INSPIRING
I HAVE NO WORDS! #TheLionKing pic.twitter.com/ZNNYd7XSbj— La Zanzy ☕️ GOT SPOILERS (@neveradamnjoy) November 22, 2018
The film is set for release in July 2019.
Source: BBCÂ