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Disney’s Live-Action Remake of ‘The Lion King’ Adds John Oliver as Zazu

Jon Favreau’s live-action remake of Disney’s The Lion King is getting closer to completing its already stellar cast.  Earlier this year, it was announced that Donald Glover was joining the cast as Simba and that James Earl Jones would be reprising his role as Mufasa, Simba’s father.  In addition to Glover and Jones, Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen joined the cast to play the quirky duo of Timon and Pumbaa, respectively.

On Monday, it was announced that English comedian John Oliver will be joining the cast as well.  Oliver will be taking on the role of Zazu, an uptight yet dignified red-billed hornbill and advisor to the king of the lion’s pride, Mufasa.

Oliver is currently the host of the HBO political talk show Last Week Tonight with John Oliver which is in its fourth season.  Oliver has received five Primetime Emmys and two Writers Guild Awards for his work on  Last Week Tonight as well as on The Daily Show.

Oliver has previously lent his vocal talents to The Smurf films as Vanity Smurf as well as several guest spots on The Simpsons and Bob’s Burgers.

 Jon Favreau will direct the upcoming live-action remake which is expected to follow the same sort of cinematography and CGI imagery that was previously seen in The Jungle Book.  The upcoming remake will also feature two additional and original songs.

The Lion King is scheduled to hit theaters July 19, 2019.

Disney's Live-Action Remake of 'The Lion King' Adds John Oliver as Zazu

Source: The Wrap