Jon Favreau’s Lion King made a ton of money for Disney, but is widely regarded as a soulless cash grab that does nothing to add to the legacy of the animated classic. With that said, when you make $1,656,963,790, it’s a pretty safe bet that a sequel is on the way. Today brought news that a sequel is exactly what we’re getting.
According to the Deadline report, the new film will not be helmed by Favreau, but will instead be directed by Moonlight/ If Beale Street Could Talk’s Barry Jenkins.
The report goes on to say that the new film’s story is under pretty heavy guard, but we will be looking at the potential of a Mufasa origin story that ties in to the continuing lives of Simba and Nala.
There has not been an announcement as of yet, but it is a pretty safe bet that both Donald Glover and Beyonce will be back to reprise their roles as the first family of the Pride Lands.