If Money Could Talk: Moonlight Director Barry Jenkins To Direct THE LION KING 2

After the great one-two punch of Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk comes the news that director Barry Jenkins has been hired to direct the sequel to Disney’s $1.6 billion grossing ‘live action’ version of The Lion King. Jenkins takes over directing duties from Jon Favreau, who helmed the 2019 hit. 

Has there ever been a director who sold out so fast? Has there ever been someone who has gone from such artistry to such an obvious cash grab?

Jeff Nathanson, who wrote the first film has completed an initial draft of the sequel script. Deadline is reporting that the film ‘will further explore the mythology of the characters, including Mufasa’s origin story. Moving the story forward while looking back conjures memories of The Godfather: Part II, set on the African plain with a continuation of the tradition of music that was a key part of the 1994 animated classic, the 2019 film and the blockbuster Broadway stage transfer.’

Throwing in a mention of The Godfather: Part II tries to make this seem like it has some artistic merit. It doesn’t. 

Source: Deadline