“Hakuna Matata.” It means no worries, especially for director Jon Favreau. Swinging atop the canopy for Walt Disney Studios, Favreau gave the multifaceted media giant the highly lucrative CGI/live-action reinvention of The Jungle Book. With more than $960M worldwide and a sequel already in development, you’d think Favreau’s dance card was full. Alas, no. Because it looks like Disney and Favreau are teaming up to reimagine The Lion King, if the director’s Tweet with added emoticons is any indication.
Excited for my next project 🦁👑
— Jon Favreau (@Jon_Favreau) September 28, 2016
The Lion King continues Disney’s strategy of turning its library of animated classics into live-action movies. Already, they’ve had a string of hits like Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, Maleficent, and Cinderella. Upcoming is Beauty and Beast (set to open in March 2017) starring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens.
As one of the studio’s highest-grossing animated films of all time (with $968.8M) it’s understandable why Walt Disney Studios is keen on reimagining the property as a live-action feature. The Lion King has been a lucrative property since its 1994 release. Not just the film but ancillary products as well, including the soundtrack which has sold more than seven million records.
Jon Favreau’s interpretation of The Lion King won’t be the first to use live actors, as the film became a Broadway show in 1997 and remains one of Broadway’s most successful musicals. Its worldwide grosses eclipse any film release, Broadway production, or entertainment tile in history.
