Disney is reportedly moving forward with a New Lion King Movie for theatrical release, according to a prominent industry scooper. This rumor, while unconfirmed by the studio, is not entirely shocking. Given the franchise’s incredible financial success over the last few years, a third installment makes perfect business sense for the company. Fans are eager to see if this means a beloved classic is finally headed to the big screen.
The Financial Incentive Behind a Sequel
The Lion King franchise is one of Disney’s biggest money-makers. The 2019 photorealistic remake alone grossed an astounding $1.6 billion worldwide. Even the most recent prequel, Mufasa: The Lion King, managed to pull in a strong $722 million worldwide. This consistency proves that the property is a safe bet. Disney is currently focusing its efforts on reliable, recent properties, and The Lion King certainly fits that bill.
The Scoop from an Industry Insider
The scoop comes from industry insider Daniel Richtman, who operates under the handle DanielRPK. He is known for frequently breaking news, particularly within the Marvel and Disney studios. Richtman’s accuracy is often placed in the highly reliable 70% to 80% range for major scoops. While this track record gives the rumor weight, it is important to remember that it is still an early-stage rumor. Projects in development can change at any time.
Big LION KING news in the link 👀🚨 https://t.co/XLL4gD2nug
— Daniel Richtman (@DanielRPK) January 12, 2025
The Most Likely Scenario: A Simba’s Pride Remake
The most logical direction for a New Lion King Movie is a photorealistic adaptation of the 1998 direct-to-video classic, The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride. This sequel centers on Simba and Nala’s daughter, Kiara, and her romance with Kovu, an outsider tied to Scar’s past. This story is a fan favorite and offers a complete, established plot ready for the big screen.
Setting the Stage with Mufasa
Interestingly, the recent Mufasa: The Lion King prequel already laid some important groundwork for this adaptation. Kiara was featured in the prequel, effectively introducing her to this generation of the photorealistic universe. Furthermore, Mufasa introduced a key retcon by establishing that Mufasa and Scar are not blood-related. This creative change conveniently avoids the complicated issue of Kiara and Kovu being related in an eventual Simba’s Pride adaptation, clearing the romantic path for the sequel.
For now, this remains an exciting but unconfirmed possibility. Fans should remain hopeful but wait for an official announcement from Disney.
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