One of the best moments from the first trailer for Disney’s Live-action was embracing the entirety of the teaser itself. It had teases of big scenes from the animated film done entirely in live-action.
The teaser left many people wondering if the entire movie was a direct adaptation.
In an interview with THR, Disney’s live-action studio chief, Sean Bailey, chimes in. The Lion King is not a shot-for-shot remake of the 1994 animated original:
The Lion King is a revered and beloved movie, so you’d better revere and love those parts that the audience wants. But there are things in the movie that are going to be new.
Bailey goes on to say that the movie uses a completely new form of filmmaking. It is a style that blurs the line between what separates a live-action film from an animated one:
It is a new form of filmmaking. Historical definitions don’t work. It uses techniques that would traditionally be called animation, and other techniques that would traditionally be called live action.
It is an evolution of the technology Jon used in Jungle Book.
“From Disney Live Action, director Jon Favreau’s all-new “The Lion King” journeys to the African savanna where a future king is born. Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny.
Scar, Mufasa’s brother—and former heir to the throne—has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock has betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba’s exile.
With help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his.
The all-star cast includes Donald Glover as Simba, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, James Earl Jones as Mufasa, Billy Eichner as Timon and Seth Rogen as Pumbaa.
Utilizing pioneering filmmaking techniques to bring treasured characters to life in a whole new way, “The Lion King” roars into theaters on July 19, 2019.”
