The Lion King is getting yet another sequel, its first in over a decade. Disney Junior and the Disney Channel will air a feature-length special to introduce viewers to the characters of the upcoming series The Lion Guard.
The Lion Guard project was first announced in June 2014. Before the series starts, the Disney Channel will air The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar in November. D23 audiences will get a special preview at the event this Sunday.
The new project features Kion, Simba’s son, as he puts together the Lion Guard to help protect the Pride Lands. However, instead of picking the best lions, he picks his friends, who he still thinks will be the best protectors.
Ford Riley developed the movie, which is being directed by Howy Parkins (Jake and the Never Land Pirates). Swahili expert Sarah Mirza acted as a language and cultural advisor.
Rob Lowe was cast to replace Matthew Broderick as the voice of Simba and Gabrielle Union will voice Nala. The Strain’s Max Charles voices Kion. Somehow, Mufasa will be brought in and James Earl Jones will provide the voice again. Ernie Sabella will reprise his role as Pumbaa.
The original The Lion King was released in 1994 and is still one of Disney’s most beloved films. It was followed by 1998’s The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride, in which Simba had a daughter cub named Kiara. The most recent direct-to-video movie Disney produced was 2004’s The Lion King 1 1/2, which retold the story from Timon and Pumbaa’s perspective.
Speaking of Timon and Pumbaa, the pair also had their own TV series, which ran from 1995 to 1999.