The Lion King Casts Civil War's John Kani as Rafiki

The Lion King

John Kani , the player who play T’Challa ’s father , King T’Chaka , inCaptain America : Civil War , has been drop to encounter the polar role of Rafiki in Disney ’s live - action version ofThe Lion King . First released in 1994 , the animated classicThe Lion Kingis one of the Mouse House ’s most coveted properties , compile more than $ 968.4 million at the global box office , and earning a pair of Oscars for Best Original Song ( " Can You Feel the Love Tonight " for Elton John and Tim Rice ) and Best Original Score ( for composer Hans Zimmer ) .

The story of the untested cub , Simba , who disappears from his settlement after he feels creditworthy for the expiry of his Leo father , King Mufasa , The Lion Kingwas adulterate with stellar articulation performance , including Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Matthew Broderick as the young and adult rendering of Simba ; James Earl Jones as Mufasa ; Jeremy Irons as Mufasa ’s brother and Simba ’s uncle , the villainous Scar ; and Moira Kelly as Simba ’s eventual mate , Nala .

Also sport in the film was the interpreter of legendary histrion Robert Guillame , who brought life to the baboon Rafiki , who attend to as Mufasa ’s royal adviser and presented the baby Simba on Pride Rock after the young carnivore ’s birth . Now , with molding of director Jon Favreau ’s live - activity rendering ofThe Lion Kingnearing completion , the production revealed the doer who will be assume the use of Rafiki .

The Lion King Poster

According toThe Wrap , Kani has officially been cast as Rafiki , about three weeks after the character was featured in footage at Disney ’s D23 Expo . Favreau reportedly dazzled the crowd with the film ’s " Circle of Life " opening successiveness , which , like in the animated version , concludes with Rafiki hoist Simba above his head on Pride Rock as he present the newborn to the denizen of the Pride Lands .

Kani is an excellent pick for the role of Rafiki . Even though he will work out the role via motion seizure , the actor ’s commanding voice and stately mien will issue forth in ready to hand in realizing the role of Rafiki . In addition toCaptain America : Civil War , Kani ’s credit over his most four decades in film includes the Michael Douglas / Val Kilmer thrillerThe Ghost and the Darkness , the titular role inOthello , and General Coriolanus in director Ralph Fiennes ' warfare thrillerCoriolanus . In accession , Kani will reportedly repeat his role ( presumably via flashback ) inBlack Panthernext yr .