Nearly one month before Disney releases its highly anticipated live-action adaptation of “The Lion King,” the studio unveiled a new teaser trailer for the film and gave fans their first glimpse of Beyoncé as Nala.
In the 30-second promo, a photorealistic version of the lioness who winds up as fellow lion Simba’s significant other says, “Simba, you have to take your place as king.”
The trailer then went on to show new glimpses of the film, including the epic showdown between Simba and Scar before the former ascends the throne, and the first viewing of comedians Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen as Timon and Pumbaa. However, the attention was solely focused on Bey’s voiceover debut.
As expected, the BeyHive swarmed with delight upon hearing it.
“Amazing!!I love how the voice is matching perfectly with the lioness…..!!Incredible choice!!”
“Beyoncé is going to make an amazing Nala I can’t wait for this The Greatest Entertainer Alive in one of my favorite Disney Movies of all time I’m so proud right now of the overall look of this movie it’s going to be everything 👑”
“Beyoncé sounds like a perfect voice role for Nala omggg.”
“Beyonce doing voiceovers is wild because I have so much emotional baggage already associated with that voice.”
The so-called live-action remake of the 1994 film from Walt Disney Pictures was initially announced in September 2016. Since then, more news has emerged from the project, which is directed by Jon Favreau. Casting news surfaced and Disney fans learned that along with Bey voicing Nala, Simba will be voiced by Donald Glover,and James Earl Jones will reprise his voicing talents of Mufasa.
While fans were largely pleased with the choice of actors, some Twitter users voiced concerns about how convincing Bey could be considering her roots in Houston, Texas.
“I know y’all worship her and all, but if Beyoncé messes up the voice of Nala in the Lion King, I’m sending her a cease and desist letter.Love her all you want, but you know that she can’t act worth a dayum. I hope she’s getting the training that she needs.”
“Somebody said Beyoncé better talk right on the new lion king. Nala is not from Texas 😂😂”
“Dear #beyhive if Beyonce tries that deep voice on lion king like how she tried on dream girls… I’ll be ashamed.”
Still, others pointed out that Nala is a fictional talking lion from the fictional Pride Lands and there’s no established way such a character should speak.
“The Lion King” opens in theaters on July 19.
