The Lion King Cast Adds Luke Cage Star as Simba's Mother

Black Panther’s father is now Rafiki.

By Alex Gilyadov

Disney's live-action The Lion King remake has cast Simba's mother Sarabi and his royal adviser Rafiki.

TheWrap reports John Kani, who played Black Panther’s father King T’Chaka in Captain America: Civil War, will voice Rafiki. The role was previously portrayed by Robert Guillaume in the 1994 animated original.

John Kani in Captain: America Civil War.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Luke Cage's Alfre Woodard, who plays the villain Mariah Dillard on the show, will voice Sarabi. The character was previously portrayed by Madge Sinclair.

Alfre Woodard in Luke Cage.

IGN has reached out to Disney for comment on the casting additions.

Kani and Woodard join a star-studded cast that includes Donald Glover as Simba, John Oliver as Zazu, James Earl Jones as Mufasa, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, and Billy Eichner as Timon. Doctor Strange star Chiwetel Ejiofor is reportedly in talks to voice the iconic villain Scar.

The Lion King, directed by Jon Favreau, opens in theaters July 19, 2019. For more on the remake, be sure read IGN's thoughts on the first footage of the film that was shown at this year's D23 Expo.

Alex Gilyadov the freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

Let's block ads! (Why?)