Here’s what we know about the new ‘Lion King’ sequel

Get ready to roar. The Lion King is coming back in a big way and we are so excited. This November, Disney Channel is going to air a brand new Lion King movie, and the whole pride back is back: Simba, Nala, Timon, and Pumba. Mufasa is also back, but his role sounds like it’ll strictly be a “wise, sage advice from the mystical heavens” type thing. We’ll take it.

The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar will focus on Simba and Nala’s second lion cub, Kion (because their first-born daughter, Kiara, already got her own movie, The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride). The really awesome thing is that it’ll start off as a one-hour movie, and then it’s going to become a whole new Lion King series on Disney Junior. We’re going to follow Kion as he “to assemble a team of animals to protect the Pride Lands.”

Or, as Disney Junior general manager Nancy Kanter told the Wall Street Journal, “It’s kind of like The Lion King meets The Avengers.”

James Earl Jones is reprising his role as Mufasa (strictly for spiritual guidance) and OG Pumbaa, Ernie Sabella, is back, too. As for the rest of the cast, some new — but familiar — names are stepping into the pack. Rob Lowe is going to voice Simba, and Gabrielle Union will voice Nala.

And yes, for everyone wondering, there will be singing. We’ll get some brand new songs from the duo of Christopher Willis and Beau Black. Also, hyenas of course, and thankfully, there’s no Ghost Scar in sight.

The movie’s official air date hasn’t been set, and neither has a start date for the series, but if you’re looking for a Lion King fix RIGHT NOW, a short clip has been released. We’re going to hear Kion ROAR  (Cue: Katy Perry).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3HevDh7CE8

(Image via Disney.)