'The Lion King' is getting a sequel: Details here
What's the story
Looks like Mufasa will roar again with all his might as Disney is planning to make a sequel to The Lion King. This would follow the 2019 movie, which had garnered mixed reviews but was a marvel as far as photorealistic computer graphics are concerned. Director Barry Jenkins of Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk fame is set to direct this sequel.
Context
'The Lion King' has been influenced by William Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'
Released by Walt Disney Pictures, The Lion King is a 1994 classic animated musical drama influenced by William Shakespeare's Hamlet. Narrating the journey of lion cub Simba in the backdrop of Pride lands of Africa, the film won two Golden Globes, two Academy Awards, a Grammy and various other accolades. Its live-action adaptation (2019) raked in over $1.6 billion despite garnering average reviews.
Script
Jenkins's film will focus on journey of Mufasa, Simba's father
Interestingly, Jenkins's film will pick up Simba's story from where the CGI-heavy film left and will have a major part of its plotline focused on the journey of Mufasa, Simba's late father. Disney hasn't confirmed any release date for this venture. Announcing the news, Lulu Wang, who is Jenkins's partner, tweeted a video in which the signature Simba scene is replicated with a dog.
Twitter Post
This is how Wang teased fans about Jenkins's Disney venture
— Lulu Wang (@thumbelulu) September 29, 2020
Details
Is this another ambitious remake spree of Disney?
Jenkins, on his side, broke the news by tweeting a Deadline report. For this, Jeff Nathanson, who wrote the screenplay for The Lion King, is aboard. This seems like another ambitious remake spree of Disney that has pooled in enough moolah to remake Mulan, which, sadly is struggling in the waters of COVID-19-ridden global theater screenings. Aladdin is slated to get a sequel too.
Twitter Post
Jenkins tweeted a report to share the news
This.
— Barry Jenkins (@BarryJenkins) September 29, 2020
Yes, THIS👇🏿
‘The Lion King’ Sequel Set With ‘Moonlight’ Director Barry Jenkins To Helm For Walt Disney Studios https://t.co/Ev7Obi8Km8 via @Deadline
An emotion
"Furthering my work chronicling African diaspora a dream come true"
About the classic Disney movie, Jenkins said, "Helping my sister raise two young boys during the '90s, I grew up with these characters." "Having the opportunity to work with Disney on expanding this magnificent tale of friendship, love and legacy while furthering my work chronicling the lives and souls of folk within the African diaspora is a dream come true," he added.
Filmography
Jenkins might also helm choreographer Alvin Ailey's biopic for Fox
Adele Romanski and Mark Ceryak may be signed as producers to create this Disney flick for Jenkins, who is also in talks to direct a biopic on choreographer Alvin Ailey for Fox Searchlight. This film will cite references from Jennifer Dunning's Alvin Ailey: A Life In Dance and collaborate with artistic directors Robert Battle, Emerita and Judith Jamison to bring Ailey's story to life.