As casting for Disney’s live-action Aladdin struggles to pick up speed, the studio’s Lion King live-action remake is beginning to finalize its top bill. According to The Wrap, the next role that has been filled is Simba’s hornbill caretaker Zazu, who will be voiced by HBO late night host John Oliver.
Zazu originally serves as adviser to Simba’s father, Mufasa, and later on to Simba himself. Along the way, he often plays the role of the uptight and reluctant caretaker to the Prince of the animal kingdom. Oliver’s past voice work has included Vanity Smurf in The Smurfs movies, which also utilized the comedian’s buttoned-up vocal attributes.
Oliver will be joining Donald Glover (Simba), James Earl Jones (reprising his role as Mufasa), Billy Eichner (Timon), and Seth Rogen (Pumbaa). Disney is certainly stringing together a big name cast for their revamp of the 1994 classic animated film. As far as starring roles go, all that is left are the voices for Scar and Nala.
Jon Favreau (The Jungle Book) is directing the film for Disney, as well as producing. Disney is planning a July 19, 2019 release for the film.
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