Barry Jenkins to film sequel to the Lion King
Barry Jenkins will direct the sequel to The Lion King.
Share September 29, 2020 3:48 p.m. Updated at 11:42 p.m. Share Barry Jenkins to film sequel to The Lion King Jake Coyle Associated Press NEW YORK – Disney will be filming a sequel to the 2019 version of the Lion King , starring Barry Jenkins ( Moonlight ) directing.
The studio announced on Tuesday the sequel project for the film, which did not win over critics but still enjoyed strong box office popularity.
The feature film had generated more than $ 1.6 billion in revenue worldwide, so producing a sequel will come as no surprise. What was less expected is the arrival of Barry Jenkins in directing.
“Having helped my sister raise two young boys in the 1990s, I grew up with these characters,” the director said in a statement. Having the opportunity to work with Disney to expand this wonderful story of friendship, love and legacy, while continuing my work to tell the lives and souls of members of the African diaspora, is a dream that to become true.”
Earlier this year, Barry Jenkins completed filming for Amazon's The Underground Railorad , based on Colson Whitehead's novel.
The filmmaker won an Oscar for the screenplay for Moonlight , which also won the award for best film. He was also in the running for the screenplay for If Beale Street Could Talk , released in 2018.
Disney has not released any details on the plot and cast of the new Lion King project, first reported by Deadline Hollywood .
Jeff Nathanson, who wrote the 2019 film, will be back for the sequel.
Directed by Jon Favreau, The Lion King included the voices of many stars in its original English version, including Donald Glover, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Jon Oliver, Billy Eichner, Seth Rogen and James Earl Jones.
