Film News

Jon Favreau to Direct Film Remake of The Lion King

The movie will include the classic songs by Elton John and Tim Rice.

| Los Angeles |

September 28, 2016

The Lion King is heading back to the big screen. — *The Lion King* is heading back to the big screen.
(© Joan Marcus)

Walt Disney Studios and director Jon Favreau will team up on a new film adaptation of the iconic property The Lion King, the organization has announced.

The Lion King furthers Disney's slate of reimagined classics like Maleficent, Cinderella, and The Jungle Book, which Favreau also directed and which was released earlier this year. Like the upcoming Beauty and the Beast remake starring Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast, the new film will include songs from the animated hit, penned by Elton John and Tim Rice.

First released in 1994, The Lion King won Academy Awards for the song "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," as well as Hans Zimmer's original score. The 1997 stage production, directed by Julie Taymor and still running on Broadway and throughout the world, won six Tony Awards. The Lion King's worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show, or other entertainment title in box office history.

A timeline has yet to be announced.