With less than two weeks until the live-action remake of Lion King drops, Disney has released its most exciting trailer yet during, of course, Essence Festival 2019.
The new trailer, which debuted exclusively at the Superdome on Saturday night, shows the most substantive preview into the storyline of the Disney reboot, including a gripping glimpse of the climactic fight scene between Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and an adult Simba (Donald Glover).
“You can’t win, Scar,” Simba dramatically announces in the never-before-seen trailer at Scar as they circle each other in a fiery pit.
“This is my kingdom, my destiny!” Scar shouts back before the two adult lions strike towards each other.
Much of the trailer is seen through the eyes of Scar, the brother of Mufasa (James Earl Jones), who was once in line to the throne before Simba’s birth.
“I was first in line until the prince arrived,” a sinister Scar says at one point, later telling Simba to “run away” and to “never return” after the tragic death of Mufasa.
The trailer also offers glimpses of other key characters like the hyenas (Eric André; Florence Kasumba; and Keegan-Michael Key), Timon (Billy Eichner), Pumbaa (Seth Rogen), Zazu (John Oliver) and Nala (Hi Beyoncé!), who can be seen encouraging Simba to return to Pride Rock.
“Simba, you have to take your place as king,” Nala advises in the trailer.
The new adaptation promises to stay true to the classic story, which dates back to the 1994 animated film musical that became a worldwide phenomenon. That film also spawned a record-breaking Broadway musical and theme park attractions.
The first trailer for Disney’s The Lion King debuted over Thanksgiving weekend last year and was viewed 224.6 million times within 24 hours, becoming the then-second most viewed trailer in that time period.
The Lion King storms into theaters on July 19. We cannot wait!
