Fan Casting The Lion King: Circle of Life and Pride (2026)

In this stand-alone continuity to the original Lion King trilogy, Simba has been King of the Pride Lands for over three years now, having a content feeling of being the kingdom's rightful ruler and protector. He is also the father of two children: a daughter named Kiara, who will one day become the future Queen of the Pride Lands and is dating a rogue lion named Kovu, and a son named Kion, who leads the Lion Guard, the mate of his best friend Nala, and close friends with Timon the Meerkat and Pumbaa the Warthog. While patrolling the savannah with Nala, Timon, and Pumbaa one day, a pack of spotted leopards, led by the evil, vicious emperor Chui, invade Pride Lands territory and attempt to start a war with the lions and lionesses, as the vicious leader and emperor himself believes that the kingdom should be his, as his own territory does not seem to be good enough for him and his pack. Simba and his family, not wanting to lose their beloved home to Chui's spotted savage supporters, prepare themselves for battle and go to war with Chui and his pack in hopes of keeping the Pride Lands safe and secure, just as Simba's father Mufasa once wanted. Meanwhile, Simba's uncle Scar gets resurrected from the dead by the hyenas Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed, who wish to reconcile and start over their scheming relationship, in hopes of getting revenge on Simba for defeating him in The Lion King (1994).