Walt Disney Studios has fast tracked a live-action film based on the animated classic The Lion King.
The Lion King marks the latest addition to the nearly 15+ classic films already being "reimagined" as live-action films (see all Disney films in development). The next Disney live-action film coming to theaters is 2017's Beauty and the Beast, with Emma Watson starring as Belle.
Other "reimagined" Disney films in the works include the following: Cruella (starring Emma Stone), Peter Pan, Maleficent 2, Pinocchio, The Little Mermaid, Dumbo (with Tim Burton directing), Sword in the Stone, Mulan, Winnie The Pooh, Tinkerbell (starring Reese Witherspoon), Red Rose, Genies, and Prince Charming.
The Jungle Book director Jon Favreau is on-board to produce and direct The Lion King, which will be a live-action/CG project. The new version will include songs from the 1994 film, which had 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.
Disney and Favreau are also in development on a sequel to The Jungle Book, which debuted in April and has earned $965.8 million worldwide.
Disney has set a new reimagining of The Lion King on the fast track to production. Jon Favreau directs.
