‘Lion King’ Sequel Series Adds Rob Lowe As Simba; James Earl Jones To Return
The Pride Lands are ready to welcome a new generation of heroes. Disney Channel is making plans forThe Lion Guard: Return of the Roar, aLion Kingspinoff TV movie intended to launch a new TV series.
The Lion Guardwill bring back some familiar faces, and even some familiar voices to go along with them.Rob LoweandGabrielle Unionwill play Simba and Nala, andJames Earl JonesandErnie Sabellareturn from the original film as Mufasa and Pumbaa.Max Charles(young Peter Parker fromThe Amazing Spider-Man) plays the new lead, Simba and Nala’s second-born cub Kion.
Get all the latest details aboutThe Lion Guardafter the jump.
As we reported last year,The Lion Guardfollows Kion as he takes leadership of the titular team, charged with protecting the Pride Lands. Rather than recruiting the strongest, fiercest, and fastest lions, as is tradition, he brings on a varied group of animal friends he believes are worthy.
Kion’s eclectic new crew includes fearless honey badger (and Kion’s best friend) Bunga (Joshua Rush), intellectual egret Ono (Atticus Shaffer), confident cheetah Fuli (Diamond White), and friendly hippo Beshte (Dusan Brown). Think of it as basically “The Lion KingmeetsThe Avengers,” as Disney Junior general managerNancy Kanterput it.
Other characters returning fromThe Lion Kingare Rafiki, now played byKhary Payton, and Timon, voiced byKevin SchonofTimon and Pumbaa.Howy Parkinsdirects the TV movie, andFord Rileyserves as executive producer.Christopher WillisandBeau Blackprovide new music.
The new series is clearly aimed at kids — earlier reports pegged the target audience in the 2-7 range — but the hope is that parents nostalgic for the originalLion Kingwill be drawn in as well. The 1994 animated feature remains one of Disney’s most beloved properties, and has spawned two direct-to-video sequels, a ’90s cartoon series, and a long-running Broadway musical.
The Lion Guard: Return of the Roarpremieres on the Disney Channel in November.The Lion GuardTV series will follow in early 2016. Get a first look at theThe Lion Guardmovie below, which reveals how Kion got his signature pawprint tattoo.
