The Lion King Featurette Offers Best Inside Look at the Movie

Jon Favreau had a successful Disney release with The Jungle Book, and now he's adapting all he's learned from the film to breathe new life into The Lion King. The movie is set to come out in a few weeks, and Disney has released a new featurette giving us a good look at the film behind the scenes.

I have to say, Favreau has definitely impressed with this new CGI technique, and you can almost forget that this is actually an animated movie. It's kind of like they hired actual animals to star in the film and act out the movie.

Besides that, this version seeks to improve on the original by actually having all of the voice actors perform the songs as well; with Donald Glover and Beyonce providing vocals for Can You Feel the Love Tonight. The featurette even gives us a teaser of Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner's Hakuna Matata; I have to say, though I miss Nathan Lane's iconic voice, Eichner has proven himself to be quite the singer as well.

Though I thought Aladdin was a fine movie, my expectations are way higher for The Lion King. Favreau has proven himself in the director's chair, and I can't wait to see what he brings to this Disney classic.

Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub's arrival. Scar, Mufasa's brother—and former heir to the throne—has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged with 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 Lion King hits theaters July 19.

See Also: New Lion King Banners Showcase the Actors Behind the Voices