Disney premiered new footage of The Lion King at Las Vegas’s CinemaCon, an annual trade show for cinema chains.
According to Variety, the five-minute clip featured the famous scene from the original, where a young Simba (JD McCrary) and his father Mufasa (James Earl Jones) survey the Pride Lands. “Look, Simba, everything the light touches is our kingdom,” Mufasa says in the clip. “A king’s time as ruler rises and falls like the sun. One day, Simba, the sun will set on my time here, and will rise with you as the new king.”
The pair then cross paths with the royal steward Zazu (John Oliver), who starts to deliver his morning report, before Simba pounces on him at Mufasa’s behest.
The footage has been praised by those in attendance for its technical accomplishments.
Variety reporter Brett Lang tweeted: “Extraordinary effects. The way the grass waves in the wind, the fur on the lion’s mane, a shimmering spider’s web. So realistic.”
Even those who seemed wary of the film, questioning the necessity of such a seemingly faithful remake, admitted the film is already poised to potentially break box office records.
The Lion King is released in UK cinemas on 19 July.
