Luke Cage’s Alfre Woodard joins the cast of Disney’s live-action Lion King

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Word has come on the wind that Alfre Woodard has been cast in the role of Sarabi, Simba's mother, in Jon Favreau's live-action adaptation of THE LION KING.

You'll likely know Ms. Woodard from her recent performance as (Black) Mariah Dillard on Marvel and Netflix's LUKE CAGE. Upon boarding the heartfelt African lion adventure, Woodard will join stars Donald Glover as Simba, and James Earl Jones, who is set to re-create his role as Mufasa. Recently, it's been announced that DOCTOR STRANGE actor Chiwetel Ejiofor will prowl the jungle as the film's villain, Scar. Additionally, comedians Billy Eichner, Seth Rogen and John Oliver will take up the roles of Timon, Pumbaa, and Zazu, respectfully.

Written by PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES scribe Jeff Nathanson, Jon Favreau's live-action take on one of the most timeless of Disney's animated tales is currently shooting in the Los Angeles area.

Disney's THE LION KING will roar back into theaters beginning on July 19, 2019

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

About the Author

Born and raised in New York, then immigrated to Canada, Steve Seigh has been a JoBlo.com editor, columnist, and critic since 2012. He started with Ink & Pixel, a column celebrating the magic and evolution of animation, before launching the companion YouTube series Animation Movies Revisited. He's also the host of the Talking Comics Podcast, a personality-driven audio show focusing on comic books, film, music, and more. You'll rarely catch him without headphones on his head and pancakes on his breath.