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First footage from the live-action version of The Lion King has been released and fans are loving it

A FEW lucky Disney fans were treated to a sneak peek of the live-action Lion King this weekend.

A NUMBER of lucky fans were treated to the first ever sneak peek of what the live-action Lion King is going to look like — and none of them are coping.

While Disney is yet to release the footage online, a few of those lucky enough to score a seat inside this weekend’s D23 Convention tweeted their brief reviews of the minute-long video which expertly re-created the opening Circle of Life sequence and ended with Rafiki introducing Simba on Pride Rock.

The live-action version has become one of the most-anticipated on Disney’s long list of remakes after previous films like The Jungle Book and Beauty and the Beast proved to be huge hits.

The movie, which is being directed by Jon Favreau, has already signed on some of the biggest names in Hollywood to voice the movie.

Donald Glover will play Simba while James Earl Jones will reprise his role as Mufasa.

The smart-talking John Oliver from Last Week Tonight will voice the equally smart-talking sidekick Zazu while our own Hugh Jackman has reportedly just signed on to voice Scar.

Hugh Jackman will voice Scar. Picture: Alberto Rodriguez
Hugh Jackman will voice Scar. Picture: Alberto Rodriguez
Donald Glover will voice the movie’s titular character Simba. Picture: Kevin Winter
Donald Glover will voice the movie’s titular character Simba. Picture: Kevin Winter

Comedian Billy Eichner and actor Seth Rogen will voice Timon and Puumba respectively.

The live-action Lion King will hit cinemas on July 19, 2019

Director Favreau also brought Disney’s The Jungle Book to life last year with his critically-acclaimed live-action version.

Many lauded the fantasy film as Disney’s best remake yet and it was also a huge commercial success, grossing more than $A1 billion at the box office.

The live-action remake of The Jungle Book was a box office smash. Picture: Disney
The live-action remake of The Jungle Book was a box office smash. Picture: Disney

Since The Jungle Book release, there have been high hopes for The Lion King remake, which is still one of Disney’s biggest films 23 years after its release.

The movie garnered two Academy Awards and peaked as the second-highest grossing film of all time.

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/upcoming-movies/first-footage-from-the-liveaction-version-of-the-lion-king-has-been-released-and-fans-are-loving-it/news-story/cb1431345b5350a3dbdcb5db9ce78557