The Lion King spinoff show, The Lion Guard was announced around a year ago and until just recently, we only knew a few things. The series would feature Simba and Nala’s second cub, and brother to Kiara, Kion. Kion heads the Lion Guard, a group of animals who protect the Pridelands.
A recent cast list has trickled in along with a trailer. Kion is voiced by Max Charles (The Strain). Most of the old voice cast won’t be returning as Rob Lowe (Parks and Recreation) replaces Matthew Broderick as the king of the Pridelands, Simba. Gabrielle Union replaces Moira Kelly as Queen Nala.
However, James Earl Jones has been confirmed to be reprising his role of Mufasa (Rest in peace) in spirit form. Ernie Sabella will also be returning as Simba’s warthog friend, Pumbaa. Every other returning character will have new voice actors.
Joining Kion in the Lion Guard is several of his animal friends:
- a honey badger named Bunga, voiced by Joshua Rush (The Adventures of Puss in Boots)
- a cheetah named Fuli, voiced by singer Diamond White (Phineas and Ferb)
- an egret named Ono, voiced by Atticus Shaffer (The Middle)
- a hippopotamus named Beshte, voiced by Dusan Brown (Blaze and the Monster Machines)
Old favorites like Zazu, Rafiki, and Timon will also be returning (though no news on Kiara’s mate, Kovu).
The fun kicks off with a hour long TV film, The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar in late 2015 followed by the The Lion Guard TV series.
Below is nearly 4 minutes of the preview clip that was shown at D23 for the upcoming Return of the Roar film.
I hope everyone’s as excited as I am!
