Barry Jenkins has earned a spot at Walt Disney Studios. The celebrated director, who took home an Academy Award for best adapted screenplay in 2017 for the movie ‘Moonlight’, is set to direct the next instalment of ‘The Lion King’.
Deadline reports that, the developing story will continue with the photo-realistic technology that director Jon Favreau used in the 2019 remake version that starred Beyonce and Donald Glover. The film amassed a total of $1.6 billion worldwide.
Details about the Jenkins’ helmed production are kept under wraps, with the exception of the revealed fact that says the storyline will be a mixture of a prequel and a sequel. The mythology of the characters is expected to be brought into action, while moving forward with the lives of the characters.
“Helping my sister raise two young boys during the ’90s, I grew up with these characters,” Jenkins said. “Having the opportunity to work with Disney on expanding this magnificent tale of friendship, love and legacy while furthering my work chronicling the lives and souls of folk within the African diaspora is a dream come true.”
Jeff Nathanson (writer of the 2019 remake) is on contract once more to pen the script. Adele Romanski and Mark Ceryak are both on board as committed producers.
Next to his ‘Moonlight’ box office glory and award season takeover was the Regina King starred in film ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ which Jenkins was nominated for best adapted screenplay at the 2019 Oscars. He recently wrapped up on the limited series set of Amazon’s ‘The Underground Railroad’, an adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s National Book Award and Pulitzer-winning novel. He is also attached to direct a biopic concerning famed choreographer Alvin Ailey for Searchlight, a Disney owned studio.
Jenkins is repped by CAA.
