Hans Zimmer

Hans Zimmer is the king of the musical jungle, according to director Jon Favreau, who has tapped Hollywood’s busiest composer to do the honors for Walt Disney Pictures’ live-action/CGI  re-imagining of The Lion King.  Zimmer picked up the Oscar for best original score for his work on the 1994 animated version — one of a total 11 Academy Award noms.

Elton John also brought home gold for best original song with “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” and was also nominated for the film’s “Hakuna Matata.”

No word on whether Sir Elton will be back to contribute to the redux. John is producing a film version of the opera Aida, which also takes place on the African continent, and executive producing the autobiographical Rocket Man for Paramount.

Favreau’s Lion King is scheduled for release in July 2019.