The New Lion King Adds Alfre Woodard As Sarabi And John Kani As Rafiki

Alfre Woodard and John Kani

by James White |
Published on

The casting announcements for Jon Favreau's updated CG version of The Lion King are starting to speed up, and the main cast is almost filled out. New to the list are Alfre Woodard and Captain America: Civil War's John Kani.

In truth, we can also describe Woodard as "Captain America: Civil War's Alfre Woodard", as she appears in the film. For the new Lion King, she'll join James Earl Jones' Mufasa as Sarabi, mother to Simba (who will be voiced by Donald Glover in his grown form).

As for Kani, The Wrap reports that he's on board to play Rafiki, the wise baboon who advises Mufasa and the family, and iconically lifts the young Simba to the sky in the Circle Of Life sequence, which was shown off in unfinished form at this year's D23 event.

Chiwetel Ejiofor was recently recruited to voice the villainous Scar, with John Oliver as Zazu, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa and Billy Eichner as Timon. Favreau is making the film ready for a 19 July, 2019 release date.

The Lion King Is Being Remade By Jon Favreau

Donald Glover And James Earl Jones Recruited For Disney's New Lion King

John Oliver Voicing Zazu For Jon Favreau's Lion King

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us