1 of 25

Bob Iger, left, chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, poses with "The Lion King" cast member Beyonce, center, and the film's director Jon Favreau at the premiere of the film at the El Capitan Theatre, Tuesday, July 9, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

2 of 25

Beyonce, a cast member in "The Lion King," arrives with her daughter Blue Ivy at the premiere of the film, Tuesday, July 9, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

3 of 25

Donald Glover, a cast member in "The Lion King," poses at the premiere of the film at the El Capitan Theatre, Tuesday, July 9, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

4 of 25

Normani arrives at the world premiere of "The Lion King" on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

5 of 25

Alfre Woodard arrives at the world premiere of "The Lion King" on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

6 of 25

Chiwetel Ejiofor arrives at the world premiere of "The Lion King" on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

7 of 25

Patrick Starrr arrives at the world premiere of "The Lion King" on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

8 of 25

NBA player Stephen Curry, of the Golden State Warriors, back right, Ayesha Curry, back left, and their children, from front row left, Ryan and Riley, arrive at the world premiere of "The Lion King" on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

9 of 25

Jon Favreau arrives at the world premiere of "The Lion King" on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

10 of 25

Normani arrives at the world premiere of "The Lion King" on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

11 of 25

Chloe Bailey, left, and Halle Bailey, of Chloe X Halle, arrive at the world premiere of "The Lion King" on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

12 of 25

Kelly Rowland and her son Titan arrive at the world premiere of "The Lion King" on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

13 of 25

Meghan Trainor, right, and Daryl Sabara arrive at the world premiere of "The Lion King" on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

14 of 25

Yara Shahidi arrives at the world premiere of "The Lion King" on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

15 of 25

Lena Waithe arrives at the world premiere of "The Lion King" on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

16 of 25

Florence Kasumba arrives at the world premiere of "The Lion King" on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

17 of 25

Donald Glover takes a selfie with fans as he arrives at the world premiere of "The Lion King" on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

18 of 25

Shahadi Wright Joseph arrives at the world premiere of "The Lion King" on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

19 of 25

Kelly Rowland arrives at the world premiere of "The Lion King" on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

20 of 25

LeAnn Rimes arrives at the world premiere of "The Lion King" on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

21 of 25

Chiwetel Ejiofor arrives at the world premiere of "The Lion King" on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

22 of 25

Raven-Symone arrives at the world premiere of "The Lion King" on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

23 of 25

Seth Rogen arrives at the world premiere of "The Lion King" on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

24 of 25

Maia Mitchell arrives at the world premiere of "The Lion King" on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

25 of 25

Keegan-Michael Key, left, and Elisa Pugliese arrive at the world premiere of "The Lion King" on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

"The Lion King" cast talks reimagining the Disney classic

By Associated Press East Los Angeles

PUBLISHED 11:34 PM PT Jul. 09, 2019

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Disney's "The Lion King" has received no shortage of remakes and spinoffs in the years since its original 1994 release. Now, as the film nears its silver anniversary, Disney delivers a new take on the animated musical.

Cast and crew gathered in Hollywood for the world premiere Tuesday night, and discussed reimagining the classic.

Donald Glover, who voices Simba, said he felt lucky to bring the film to a new generation and wanted it to retain the emotion of the original, especially his duet "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" with co-star Beyoncé.

While the remake pays homage to the original, director Jon Favreau allowed more creative liberties, said actor Billy Eichner, who voices Timon.

"The Lion King" hits theaters July 19.