Beyonce leads red carpet stars as 'The Lion King' roars back to life

Cast member Donald Glover interacts with Lina Wade on the red carpet during the World Premiere of "The Lion King" in Los Angeles, California, U.S., July 9, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Beyonce led the stars behind the voices of "The Lion King" down the red carpet on Tuesday at the world premiere of the remake of the 1994 Disney movie which uses computer-generated imagery to bring a realistic look to Pride Rock.

Depicting stunning African scenery, the new movie follows the same plot as the original Oscar-winning animation about lion cub Simba, who flees his kingdom after his villainous uncle Scar connives to take his father Mufasa's place as king.

Actor Donald Glover is the voice behind the grown-up Simba, while Beyonce portrays his friend Nala. The cast also includes Chiwetel Ejiofor (Scar), Seth Rogen (Pumbaa) and James Earl Jones, who voiced Mufasa in the 1994 film.

Cast member Donald Glover talks to the media during the World Premiere of "The Lion King" in Los Angeles, California, U.S., July 9, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

"I just listened to what (Beyonce) had to teach me," Glover said of working with the Grammy Award winner.

"Only very few times do you get to work with somebody as iconic as Beyonce," Glover said. "I was like, okay, we are like blending this thing together so let me just listen to what she is doing and play off of that."

"The Lion King" was an instant hit with audiences around the world when it was originally released. A hugely successful musical theater version still runs on New York's Broadway and in London.

Cast member Donald Glover talks to the media during the World Premiere of "The Lion King" in Los Angeles, California, U.S., July 9, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

"It's like a recipe that will be delicious forever, it just works," Rogen said of the story.

"The Lion King" remake, which begins its worldwide cinema roll-out in China on Friday before hitting other countries next week, follows new versions of "Aladdin" and "Dumbo". It is directed by Jon Favreau, who was behind the 2016 remake of "The Jungle Book".

Cast member Donald Glover poses with Lina Wade during the World Premiere of "The Lion King" in Los Angeles, California, U.S., July 9, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

(Reporting by Reuters Television; writing by Marie-Louise Gumuchian; editing by Jason Neely)

Cast member Donald Glover poses for a photo with fans during the World Premiere of "The Lion King" in Los Angeles, California, U.S., July 9, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Cast members Donald Glover and Chiwetel Ejiofor talk during the World Premiere of "The Lion King" in Los Angeles, California, U.S., July 9, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Cast members Donald Glover and Chiwetel Ejiofor talk during the World Premiere of "The Lion King" in Los Angeles, California, U.S., July 9, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Cast member Donald Glover and Chance the Rapper pose for a photo during the World Premiere of "The Lion King" in Los Angeles, California, U.S., July 9, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Cast member Donald Glover poses during the World Premiere of "The Lion King" in Los Angeles, California, U.S., July 9, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Cast member Donald Glover poses during the World Premiere of "The Lion King" in Los Angeles, California, U.S., July 9, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Cast member Donald Glover talks with Disney's CEO Robert Iger, during the World Premiere of "The Lion King" in Los Angeles, California, U.S., July 9, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Cast member Donald Glover poses during the World Premiere of "The Lion King" in Los Angeles, California, U.S., July 9, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Chloe and Halle Bailey pose during the World Premiere of "The Lion King" in Los Angeles, California, U.S., July 9, 2019. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni