Beyoncé announced to play Nala in 2019 Lion King live action remake

Disney has revealed the official voice cast of their Lion King remake, due out on 19 July 2019.

Queen Bey will be taking on the role of Nala, and Donald Glover will be the voice behind the feature’s protagonist, Simba. James Earl Jones is set to reprise his role as Mufasa, and the villainous Scar will be taken on by Chiwetel Ejiofor. Fittingly, Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner have been confirmed for the mischievous duo Pumbaa and Timon, and the younger versions of Simba and Nala are to be voiced by JD McCrary and Shahadi Wright Joseph.

Set to be directed by Jon Favreau, the 2019 version will be a live-action remake of the 1994 classic. The official synoposis reads:

From Disney Live Action, director Jon Favreau’s all-new The Lion King journeys to the African savanna where a future king is born. 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.

Beyoncé’s filmography includes appearances in Austin Powers in Goldmember, Obsessed and Dreamgirls. She’s previously voiced the character Queen Tara in the 2013 animated film Epic.

View the full cast below.