Disney released stunning ‘Lion King’ photos that show the characters and the cast

Oh, Disney. You really know how to build the anticipation, don’t you?

With the July 19 release of the live-action “The Lion King” just around the corner, Walt Disney Studios decided to drop some new cast photos on social media and fans are going wild.

The long-awaited remake of Disney’s iconic 1994 animated feature film boasts an all-star cast, including Donald Glover, Beyoncé, Seth Rogan and Billy Eichner, just to name a few. Fans of the original movie also get some extra love because James Earl Jones reprises his role as the regal lion king Mufasa.

The latest promotional photos released by Walt Disney Studios for “The Lion King” are simple in composition but offer striking images of each cast member with their animal character counterpart. Each photo almost looks like a stare down between actor and character, allowing you to see how the actors embody their character’s personality.

Donald Glover As Adult Simba

Actor Donald Glover (“Atlanta,” “Solo: A Star Wars Story”) portrays the adult Simba, who returns to the Pridelands to claim the royal crown after tragedy befalls his family early in the film.

Beyoncé Knowles-Carter As Adult Nala

Fans of Beyoncé are probably squealing with joy as they anxiously await seeing their queen take on the role of the adult Nala in “The Lion King.” Nala, a childhood friend of Simba, finds the runaway Simba and urges him to come home and save the pride from danger and treachery.

JD McCrary And Shahadi Wright Joseph As Young Simba And Young Nala

McCrary (“The Paynes”) and Joseph (“Us”) play the adorable and mischievous friends Simba and Nala when they are children. While Simba may be next in line for the throne, Nala doesn’t treat him as anything but her best friend.

Alfre Woodard As Sarabi

This Oscar-nominated actress faces much hardship as the Queen of the Pridelands in “The Lion King” and Woodard should deliver with a royal performance.

Chiwetel Ejiofor As Scar

“12 Years A Slave” actor Ejiofor plays Simba’s uncle Scar, who definitely doesn’t have his nephew or his brother’s best interests at heart.

Eric André As Azizi, Florence Kasumba As Shenzi And Keegan-Michael Key As Kamari

This trio of hyenas stay close to Scar and help set his evil plan into motion to take over as the Pridelands’ new lion king.

John Oliver As Zazu, Seth Rogan As Pumbaa and Billy Eichner As Timon

This powerhouse trio of actors takes on three of the best characters in “The Lion King.” Oliver portrays Zazu, Mufasa’s loyal subject and overseer of young Simba. Later on, Rogan’s Pumbaa and Eichner’s Timon watch over the scared runaway Simba after an unthinkable loss.

How do you think they did with the casting?