Why Beyoncé as Nala in 'The Lion King' would be amazing
Hollywood likes to tease us, most recently with the possibility of Beyoncé voicing Nala in an upcoming live-action Lion King remake.
She's reportedly director Jon Favreau's top choice, but that doesn't mean we'll see this glorious dream come to fruition (no matter how much we tweet about it). Beyonce is my first choice to play at my birthday party -- doesn't mean it's going to happen. Still, we couldn't help imagining this bright future and what it would mean to have the Queen be part of King.
1. An extra Beyoncé album
She would obviously perform her own songs, and unlike with certain Beauty and the Beast cast members (looking at you, Emma Watson autotune), this would be the purest of blessings and basically a freebie album.
2. Simba would not be King
Casting Beyoncé would make Nala the real lion King, because no one can outrank Beyoncé in a monarchy or any other form of government.
3. The red carpet photos
Imagine Bey doing a press tour with all THREE of her children, based on the magnificent matching she and little Blue pulled off at the premiere of Beauty and the Beast. The internet wouldn't be able to handle it.
4. This ain't her first barbecue
Bey voiced Mother Nature in the 2013 movie Epic, alongside an impressive cast of actor. She also performed the O.G. "Rise Up" (sorry, Lin-Manuel Miranda!) for the soundtrack, so she's literally done this whole deal before.
5. Picture every Nala quote...as Beyoncé
Nala is hardly one of the most quotable characters in Disney canon, but when you go over her lines, can't you just hear Beyoncé saying things like, "I wonder if its brains are still in there?" (that's child Nala, but still). Nala is all about strength and encouragement...sound like anyone you know?
6. A formidable alliance
Listen, I just did a proper Boolean Google search for "Donald Glover AND Beyonce" and there were zero pictures of them together. Let's kick this press tour off yesterday.
7. ...Times two
WHAT IF THEY REALLY JIVE AND COLLAB ON AN ORIGINAL SONG FOR THE SOUNDTRACK? HELP, I GOTTA GO.
Topics Disney
Proma Khosla is a Senior Entertainment Reporter writing about all things TV, from ranking Bridgerton crushes to composer interviews and leading Mashable's stateside coverage of Bollywood and South Asian representation. You might also catch her hosting video explainers or on Mashable's TikTok and Reels, or tweeting silly thoughts from @promawhatup.
