'Lion King' Trailer Debuts: Watch the Rise of the New King (Video)

Disney’s live-action “Lion King” teaser trailer dropped on Thanksgiving Day, giving lions, meerkats, warthogs and even humans a cinematic surprise to be thankful for.

The trailer touches on familiar images from the animated version. But it all feels more real, thanks to spectacular CGI re-imaginings that accompany James Earl Jones’ narration, and introduce us to the hyperrealistic live-action versions of Simba, Rafiki and Scar.

Watch it above, if you somehow haven’t already.

Also Read: Beyonce Will Voice Nala in Live-Action Adaptation of 'The Lion King'

The live-action “Lion King” lets us see images etched into our younger minds in an entirely new way — especially the moment when Rafiki holds up Simba to introduce him to the kingdom (and the world) for the first time.

The trailer debuted during the NFL matchup of the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins, because releasing it during the Detroit Lions game would have been too obvious, we suppose. Director Jon Favreau tweeted it Thursday, as well.

The live-action adaptation of “The Lion King” will star Donald Glover as Simba, Beyonce Knowles-Carter as Simba’s friend-turned-love interest Nala, Jones as Mufasa and Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar. Seth Rogen, Keegan-Michael Key, John Oliver, Billy Eichner and John Kani also star.

The original “Lion King” is one of the biggest animated films of all time: It grossed $968.8 million globally and won an Academy Award for the original song, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” as well as its original score by Hans Zimmer. Zimmer will also score the new “Lion King,” which will hit theaters on July 19, 2019.

Besides directing, Favreau is producing alongside Karen Gilchrist. Jeff Nathanson penned the screenplay based on the 1994 screenplay by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts and Linda Woolverton. Tom Peitzman and Thomas Schumacher are executive producing, while John Bartnicki is co-producing.

Meet the All-Star 'The Lion King' Cast Led by Beyoncé and Donald Glover (Photos)

Like Rafiki brandishing the newborn Simba on top of Pride Rock, Disney on Wednesday unveiled the full cast of Jon Favreau's live-action remake of their 1994 classic "The Lion King." The new version coming in 2019 boasts an impressive cast to replace the original's iconic voice actors. Let's meet them.
Getty Images/Disney
Donald Glover as Simba

Oh, we just can't wait for Donald Glover to be King. Being Lando Calrissian isn't enough, he has to fill in for Matthew Broderick as Simba too.
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Beyonce as Nala

The Queen B is now the Queen of the Jungle, suggesting that the role of Nala is likely larger than in the original and might even include some new songs.
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James Earl Jones as Mufasa

Some casting is too perfect to touch. We're excited for the new cast, but there's no replacing James Earl Jones.
Getty Images/Disney
Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar

Jeremy Irons was perfectly menacing as Scar in the original, but Ejiofor doesn't usually get to play the villain. Be prepared!
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Alfre Woodard as Sarabi

Woodard, who plays Simba's mother Sarabi, starred with Ejiofor in "12 Years a Slave" and has recently worked on Marvel's "Captain America: Civil War" and "Luke Cage."
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John Oliver as Zazu

We love Oliver's neurotic lectures on "Last Week Tonight," so he's a smart pick for Zazu, the ever irritated guardian for Simba. Rowan Atkinson voiced Zazu in the original.
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John Kani as Rafiki

Like Rafiki, Kani is a veteran wise beyond his years. But new audiences will come to know him as King T'Chaka in "Black Panther."
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Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner as Pumbaa and Timon

It means no worries with these two voicing the beloved warthog and meerkat. Ernie Sabella and Nathan Lane voiced the characters in the original film.
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Florence Kasumba as Shenzi

Kasumba is best known for her work on "Emerald City" and will also be in "Black Panther." Whoopi Goldberg played hyena leader Shenzi in the original.
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Eric André as Azizi

André plays another one of the trio of hyenas, but this time with a new name, "Azizi." We can perfectly see his irreverent, screwball persona matching what Jim Cummings did with "Ed" or Cheech Marin did with Banzai.
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Keegan-Michael Key as Kamari

Another new hyena. Maybe the "Key & Peele" star can bust out his Obama Anger Translator voice when he's saying, "Who's the pig?"
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JD McCrary as Young Simba

McCrary actually appeared on an episode of "The Eric André Show," as well as Tyler Perry's show "The Paynes."
Twitter/Disney
Shahadi Wright Joseph as Young Nala

Wright Joseph made her breakout role as part of the cast of "Hairspray Live!" and was even on Broadway for the stage production of "The Lion King."
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Jon Favreau is directing the movie, which arrives on July 19, 2019

Like Rafiki brandishing the newborn Simba on top of Pride Rock, Disney on Wednesday unveiled the full cast of Jon Favreau's live-action remake of their 1994 classic "The Lion King." The new version coming in 2019 boasts an impressive cast to replace the original's iconic voice actors. Let's meet them.

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Meet the All-Star 'The Lion King' Cast Led by Beyoncé and Donald Glover (Photos)

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