Barry Jenkins to Direct 'The Lion King' Follow-Up at Disney

Disney has set a follow-up to its live-action remake of “The Lion King,” and “Moonlight” director Barry Jenkins is attached to direct, Barry Jenkins announced in a tweet Tuesday.

Jon Favreau in 2019 directed the live-action remake of the animated ’90s classic “The Lion King,” and the film made $1.6 billion worldwide. Jeff Nathanson, who wrote the remake, is back to write the follow-up and has already completed a draft of the script.

The logline is also being kept under wraps, but Deadline is reporting that the film will explore the mythology of the other characters throughout Pride Rock, including Mufasa’s origin story.

Also Read: Yara Shahidi to Star as Tinker Bell in 'Peter Pan & Wendy'

“Helping my sister raise two young boys during the 90s, I grew up with these characters. Having the opportunity to work with Disney on expanding this magnificent tale of friendship, love and legacy while furthering my work chronicling the lives and souls of folk within the African diaspora is a dream come true,” Jenkins said in a statement.

No release date for the next film has been set, and it’s unclear when production would begin. No cast has been set either, but the voice cast of the remake featured Donald Glover, Beyoncé, Chiwetel Ejiofor and James Earl Jones returning as Mufasa.

Adele Romanski and Mark Ceryak, Jenkins’ partners at his company Pastel, are expected to join “The Lion King” follow-up as producers.

Jenkins last directed “If Beale Street Could Talk,” based on the James Baldwin book. He’s also meant to direct a biopic about the choreographer Alvin Ailey for Disney’s Searchlight Pictures.

Also Read: Barry Jenkins to Write Feature Adaptation of 'Virunga' Doc Produced by Leonardo DiCaprio at Netflix

Jenkins is represented by CAA, manager Jewerl Ross and attorney Jamie Feldman. Nathanson is represented by UTA and Hansen Jacobson.

Deadline first reported the news.

https://twitter.com/BarryJenkins/status/1310973073353400320?s=20

16 Disney Live-Action Remakes of Animated Hits in the Works (Photos)

Disney will be pumping out live-action versions of their animated classics for a long time time to come. Here's a list of titles in the works, including the release date of the original.
"Jungle Cruise"

Okay, okay, "Jungle Cruise" might not count as live-action film based on a previously animated classic, but it is based on a ride at Disneyland, so we're going to include it. Plus, we'll take any chance to talk about Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt in the same sentence. It will hit theaters July 24, 2020.
Disney
"The Little Mermaid"
So now we're getting into films that are in some stage of development but haven't necessarily been slated for release. After all, Disney has so many untitled films slated, it's hard to count. But a live-action version of "The Little Mermaid" has been long discussed, as it is arguably one of the most popular and profitable movies in Disney's vault. Rob Marshall is on board direct, with Halle Bailey set to star as Ariel and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula.
Disney
"Pinocchio"

"Pinocchio" is also in the works, with Tom Hanks playing Geppetto.
Getty Images/Disney
"Snow White"
Forget her sister -- the original baddest chick in the Disney animated kingdom is coming back for her own standalone film. It was announced at the end of October 2016.
Disney
"The Jungle Book 2"
This is a no-brainer follow-up to Favreau's hit from spring 2016, based on the animated classic released in 1967.
Disney
"Snow White"
Forget her sister -- the original baddest chick in the Disney animated kingdom is coming back for her own standalone film. It was announced at the end of October 2016.
Disney
"Aladdin"
"Hercules"
Disney
"Peter Pan"
Neverland will get a practical set if Disney has its way updating the 1953 animated film.
Disney
"James and the Giant Peach"
In one of the more interesting adaptations, this beloved Roald Dahl book became a quirky claymation hit for Disney in 1996 with director Henry Selick. Heavy dramatist director Sam Mendes was attached to take a stab at it, but he has since dropped out.
YouTube
"Hunchback"

In early 2019, a live-action film based on 1996's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" was announced. Tony-winning playwright David Henry Hwang was tapped to pen the script, with Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz handling the music.
Disney
"Tinker Bell"

This movie has also been in the works for quite some time, with Reese Witherspoon attached as the cute little fairy from "Peter Pan."
Disney
"Bambi"

In January 2020, Disney hired Geneva Robertson-Dworet (“Captain Marvel") and Lindsey Beer (“Sierra Burgess Is a Loser”) to write the script for the live-action remake of the 1942 animated classic.
"Oliver Twist"
While Disney never formally made a direct animated take on Charles Dickens' beloved orphan, the studio did release the adorable 1988 "Oliver and Company," inspired by Dickens' tale but told with animals. The studio also made a small-screen live-action version in 1997 with Richard Dreyfuss.
Getty Images
"Lilo & Stitch"

This project was announced in October 2018 with Mike Van Waes attached to pen the script. Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich of Rideback are producing. In November of last year, it was announced that Jon M. Chu was in early talks to direct.
Disney
"The Lion King" Sequel

In September, it was announced that Barry Jenkins would direct the follow-up to Jon Favreau's 2019 hit. The logline is being kept under wraps, but Deadline reported that the film will explore the mythology of the other characters in Pride Rock, including Mufasa’s origin story.

No release date for the next film has been set, and it’s unclear when production would begin. No cast has been set either.

1 of 17

The studio is raiding its vault to remake classics including ”The Little Mermaid“

Disney will be pumping out live-action versions of their animated classics for a long time time to come. Here's a list of titles in the works, including the release date of the original.

View In Gallery

16 Disney Live-Action Remakes of Animated Hits in the Works (Photos)

7DAYFREETRIAL

7
DAY
FREE
TRIAL