Barry Jenkins is set to direct a follow-up to 2019’s hit remake of The Lion King.
Walt Disney studios has confirmed the Oscar-winning screenwriter and director of Moonlight has signed on to helm the project. The script comes from Jeff Nathanson, who wrote the previous film based on the 1994 animated classic.
“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 to The Hollywood Reporter.
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Jon Favreau directed the 2019 CG installment, which became a massive hit earning $1.65 billion at the worldwide box office.
The cast for the newest film has not been announced yet. The 2019 movie featured Beyoncé, James Earl Jones, Alfre Woodard, Seth Rogen, John Oliver, Donald Glover, Amy Sedaris and Chance the Rapper, with original music by Pharrell Williams and Hans Zimmer.
Jenkins received an Oscar nomination for adapting the script for his 2018 film If Beale Street Could Talk. He recently wrapped production on the Amazon limited series The Underground Railroad.
