In quite the odd pairing, Academy Award winner Barry Jenkins is heading to Pride Rock. Barry Jenkins is set to direct a live-action sequel to Disney’s The Lion King. Jeff Nathanson, who wrote the screenplay for Jon Favreau’s 2019 film has recently completed his first draft of the film. Naturally, the film will feature the same photo-realistic technology that Favreau used to create his version of the classic tale, so get ready to spot that one shot that wasn’t created using CGI elements.
No details about the plot have been shared at this time, though according to Deadline, the story will explore the mythology of the characters, including Mufasa’s origin story. On the news of being helmed as director, Jenkins stated,
“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.”
