‘The Lion King’ Casts Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen as Live-Action Timon and Pumbaa
Jon Favreau’s “live-action” (let’s use that term loosely, here) remake of The Lion King is batting 1,000 when it comes to casting, with Donald Glover in the role of Simba and Beyoncé (rumored) for the role of Nala. But today’s additions might be the most perfect yet, as Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen have signed on to voice Timon and Pumbaa, everyone’s favorite unlikely-but-lovable meerkat and warthog buddy duo. Meanwhile, we’ll just be waiting for the other shoe to drop in this casting situation — like, say, if Favreau decides to cast Steve Bannon as Scar. Wait, actually that would be sort of perfect.
According to The Wrap, the hilariously shouty Billy Eichner and the hilariously stoner-y Seth Rogen will lend their famous voices (and a little Hakuna Matata, presumably) to the roles of Timon the meerkat and Pumbaa the warthog, respectively, for Disney’s CGI-infused live-action remake of The Lion King. Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella originally voiced the duo in Disney’s 1994 animated classic. (Lane also guest-starred on the second season of Eichner’s sitcom Difficult People, which really brings this whole thing full circle…of life.)
Jon Favreau previously directed Disney’s remake of The Jungle Book, which featured a gorgeous and impressive blend of live-action and CGI, and was a huge success at the box-office — making him the perfect fit for a similar reimagining of another great Disney classic.
The Lion King is set to hit theaters on July 19, 2019.