Could Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino) be the sole definition of an overachiever? From making self-produced mixtapes and comedy sketches, through huge rap records, TV roles including the creation of his own Golden Globe-winning series Atlanta, to now cementing his relationship with Disney, Glover is on a winning streak.

Glover has been tapped as the voice of Simba in the upcoming live-action version of 1994 Disney classic The Lion King.

Director Jon Favreau tweeted the news with the tag line “I just can’t wait to be king” so it’s not clear whether he’s playing the young and old Simba, or just the latter.

The remake will receive the same CGI and real-life treatment as The Jungle Book remake, which was also directed by Favreau, and will see James Earl Jones (aka Darth Vader) reprise his role as Mufasa.

Favreau may have created The Jungle Book on an exorbitant US$175 million budget, but the film grossed US$1 billion at the box office and opened the doors for Favreau to direct the live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast.

 

 

Glover is also locked in to play Lando Calrissian in Disney’s upcoming Star Wars spinoff centered on a young Han Solo.

When he runs for President we’ll try and act surprised…

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