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This image released by Disney shows the characters Zazu, voiced by John Oliver, left, and Simba, voiced by JD McCrary, in a scene from "The Lion King," directed by Jon Favreau. (Disney via AP)

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This image released by Disney shows the characters Mufasa, voiced by James Earl Jones, left, and Simba, voiced by JD McCrary, in a scene from "The Lion King," directed by Jon Favreau. (Disney via AP)

Summer Movie Preview: 'The Lion King' roars again

By Associated Press East Los Angeles

PUBLISHED 2:48 PM ET May. 09, 2019

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Disney's new version of "The Lion King" is not actually live-action, but director Jon Favreau says he hopes that audiences won't be able to tell.

Favreau has employed state of the art technology, including a combination of virtual reality and keyframe animation, to create the hyper realistic animals for the film.

The director tells The Associated Press it is not a shot-by-shot remake of the 1994 animated classic, and in fact is a longer film and gives depth "not just visually but both story wise and emotionally."

"The Lion King " is one of this summer's most anticipated releases, and no other studio is even daring to go up against it on its opening weekend.

Featuring the vocal talents of Donald Glover, Beyoncé and James Earl Jones reprising his role as Mufasa, "The Lion King" roars into theaters on July 19.