Disney working on live-action reimagining of The Lion King

Disney confirmed today on its website that it was working on a live-action reimagining of The Lion King .

Similar to what the company did with The Jungle Book earlier this year, the film will combine state-of-the-art CGI technology with actual actors and real-world settings to move the classic title into the modern age. Jon Favreau, who also helmed The Jungle Book and will direct the sequel, has signed on to the project.

The Lion King is currently in pre-production, but Disney has said it wants to fast track the film to get it out as quickly as possible.

The original Lion King came out in 1994 and grossed close to $1 billion at the global box office. In 1997, the film was adapted into a Broadway production, and over its 19 year period on stage, it remains one of the most popular musicals. The film won an Academy Award in 1995 for Best Original Song and multiple Grammys for its original soundtrack.

The Lion King is the latest in Disney’s pool of animated films that will receive the live-action reimagining treatment. Other films include the upcoming Beauty and the Beast, which will star Emma Watson.