{"id":72837,"date":"2015-08-12T14:36:01","date_gmt":"2015-08-12T14:36:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/0de2709a84.nxcli.net\/0-kjasnb\/2015\/08\/12\/james-earl-jones-gabrielle-union-cast-in-disney-channels-the-lion-guard-return-of-the-roar\/"},"modified":"2018-12-18T03:41:51","modified_gmt":"2018-12-18T03:41:51","slug":"james-earl-jones-gabrielle-union-cast-in-disney-channels-the-lion-guard-return-of-the-roar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blackfilm.com\/read\/james-earl-jones-gabrielle-union-cast-in-disney-channels-the-lion-guard-return-of-the-roar\/","title":{"rendered":"James Earl Jones, Gabrielle Union Cast in Disney Channel’s The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar"},"content":{"rendered":"

James Earl Jones, Gabrielle Union Cast in Disney Channel’s The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar<\/strong>Posted by Wilson Morales<\/p>\n

August 11, 2015<\/p>\n

\"FULI,<\/a><\/p>\n

The epic storytelling of Disney\u2019s The Lion King<\/strong> continues with The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar<\/strong>, a primetime television movie event premiering in November on Disney Channel. The movie follows Kion, the second-born cub of Simba and Nala, as he assumes the role of leader of the Lion Guard, a team of animals tasked with preserving the Pride Lands. The movie is a precursor to \u201cThe Lion Guard\u201d television series, premiering in early 2016 on Disney Channels and Disney Junior channels around the globe.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"James<\/a><\/p>\n

James Earl Jones<\/strong> and Ernie Sabella reprise their roles from The Lion King as Mufasa and Pumbaa, respectively, alongside Rob Lowe<\/strong> as Simba and Gabrielle Union<\/strong> as Nala. Max Charles<\/strong> stars as Kion. The voice cast also includes Joshua Rush<\/strong> as Kion\u2019s best friend, Bunga, a fearless honey badger; Atticus Shaffer<\/strong>\u00a0as Ono, an intellectual egret; Diamond White<\/strong> as Fuli, a confident cheetah; and Dusan Brown<\/strong> as Beshte, a friendly and good-spirited hippo.<\/p>\n

Set in the African Savanna, The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar follows Kion as he assembles the members of the Lion Guard. While traditionally the Lion Guard has been comprised of lions known to be the fiercest, bravest, fastest, strongest and keenest of sight in the Pride Lands, Kion breaks tradition by instead calling upon some of his friends who he believes best exemplify these heroic qualities. Throughout the movie and the series, the diverse team of young animals will learn how to utilize each of their unique abilities to solve problems and accomplish tasks to maintain balance within the Circle of Life, while also introducing young viewers to the vast array of animals that populate the prodigious African landscape.<\/p>\n

\"Gabrielle<\/a><\/p>\n

The Education and Science experts at Disney\u2019s Animal Kingdom theme park serve as consultants, advising on the characteristics, behaviors and habitats of the African animal species featured and inspiring original stories based on their first hand experiences.<\/p>\n

Ford Riley <\/strong>developed the movie and series and serves as executive producer. Howy Parkins<\/strong> is the director. Christopher Willis<\/strong> is the composer, and Beau Black<\/strong> is singer\/songwriter. Author and Swahili expert Sarah Mirza is the language and cultural advisor.<\/p>\n

Additional cast members include: Eden Riegel<\/strong> (\u201cAll My Children\u201d) as Kiara, Sarah Hyland<\/strong> (\u201cModern Family\u201d) as Tiifu, Madison Pettis<\/strong> as Zuri and Jeff Bennett<\/strong> as Zazu (both from \u201cJake and the Never Land Pirates\u201d); Andrew Kishino<\/strong> (\u201cStar Wars: The Clone Wars\u201d) as Janja, Vargus Mason<\/strong> (\u201cSofia the First\u201d) as Cheezi, Greg Ellis<\/strong> (\u201cStar Wars Rebels\u201d) as Mzingo, Khary Payton<\/strong> (\u201cTeen Titans\u201d) as Rafiki, and Kevin Schon (\u201cThe Lion King\u2019s Timon and Pumbaa\u201d) as Chungu and Timon. The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar is a production of Disney Television Animation.<\/p>\n