Disney dropped a massive bomb on Wednesday night (Nov. 1), when it announced the immensely decorated cast its upcoming adaptation of The Lion King. While there has been much speculation and rumors, Disney made it official, with the announcement that Beyoncé would indeed be joining the star-studded cast for the epic reboot.
#TheLionKing. 2019. 🦁👑 pic.twitter.com/UMJo18FwDt
— Disney (@Disney) November 1, 2017
According to Variety, Disney was extremely amped about bout the 34-year-old mother of three joining the production.
Director John Favreau apparently had Bey his top choice for the role of Nala. However, Bey was pregnant with twins Rumi and Sir Carter at the time and there was no official confirmation of whether or not she would do it.
As she takes on the role of the sassy lioness Nala, Beyoncé will join a cast that also includes Donald Glover, (aka Childish Gambino) as Simba, James Earl Jones as Mufasa, Seth Rogen as Pumba, Alfre Woodard as Sarabi, and many others.
As usual, social media went ballistic after the official announcement was made.
When you remember again that Beyoncé isn’t just voicing Nala, she’s actually playing her! They're gonna capture B's actual facial movements❤ pic.twitter.com/bUwSAMclnC
— LOVE, VISH (@yasiru_vismini) November 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/cocoohh_/status/926158634060357632
BEYONCÉ IS OFFICIALLY GOING TO VOICE NALA IN THE LION KING pic.twitter.com/boQXXvqnMv
— ♕ A̶N̶G̶E̶L̶ ♕ (@IBeenCrowned) November 1, 2017
As fate would have it, Favreau’s wish has been granted and Beyoncè will be hitting theaters as Nala with the rest of the cast when The Lion King makes its way in 2019.