Beyonce Is The Favorite To Play Nala In Jon Favreru’s Live Action Remake Of The “The Lion King”

WDWNT on April 6, 2017

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Variety is reporting that Beyonce is director Jon Favreau’s top choice to play Simba’s love interest, Nala,  in the upcoming live action remake of “The Lion King”.

According to Variety:

Sources tell Variety that Beyonce is director Jon Favreau’s top choice to voice Nala in the upcoming remake.

Insiders stress that the Grammy winner has not made a decision regarding the film yet, as the star is pregnant with twins. But since it’s a voice-acting role, sources say the studio and director will do whatever it takes to accommodate her schedule. The songstress announced her pregnancy in early February and dropped out as a Coachella headliner by month’s end. Lady Gaga will replace the “Single Ladies” singer at the desert music and arts festival next month.

This would mark Beyonce’s first film role since lending her voice to the Fox animated film”Epic.” Her other major movie credits include the 2009 thriller “Obsessed,” 2006 movie musical “Dreamgirls,” and 2002 Mike Myers comedy “Austin Powers in Goldmember.”

Source: Variety

Rafiki 9″ Baby Simba Jr Combo

WDWNT on August 28, 2011

Update: 8/28/11 Ten Rafiki’s were released at the SF Disney Store on Saturday along with the 3″ SF Golden Gate Bridge exclusive. So… 690 for the rest of us at stores scattered across North America and some warehouse waiting to be shipped to a few lucky online buyers.

This is an exciting combo set that makes a ton of sense. A 9″ Rafiki with a baby Simba Jr will be released at select Disney Stores across the country on August 29. This Jim Valeri designed set is limited to only 700 and will retail for $59.95. This is the same day the Lion King 12 figure series is released across the country (and Canada) exclusively to Disney Stores as well.

The catch, just like the Villains 9/Jr combos, is that only select stores will have a limited quanity of these, as will the Disney Store Online. Here is the list of stores:

US
Chandler Fashion Center – Chandler, AZ
Mission Viejo, CA
Montebello, CA
Fashion Valley – San Diego, CA
Santa Monica, CA
Stockston Street – San Francisco, CA
Westfield at Culver City, CA
International Plaza – Tampa, FL
Perimeter – Atlanta, GA
North Michigan Avenue – Chicago, IL
State Street – Chicago, IL
Roosevelt Field – Garden City, NJ
Freehold Raceway – Freehold, NJ
Times Square – New York City, NY
Palisades – West Nyack, NY
Cherry Hill, PA
Northpark – Dallas, TX
Northstar – San Antonio, TX
Bellevue Square – Bellevue, WA

Canada
Metropolis at Metrotown – Vancouver, BC
Square One – Mississauga, ON

Good luck on grabbing one of these. Rafiki is my favorite design in the 3″ Lion King set, and this 9″ looks great as well. I really like the background in the ears.

And baby Simba has the markings on his head. I like how they put a 3″ Rafiki in the set even though they are putting out a 9″ as well. I hope we eventually get a 3″ Animal from Muppets for example. I do question the LE 700 on a piece that’s spread around the Disney Stores when a figure that’s produced to 1000 or 1500 sits on the shelves of two D-Street stores for months. What are your thoughts on the LE, distribution and figures themselves?

Episode 034 Poncho

WDWNT on August 14, 2011

Ep. 034 Poncho
This week we talk about the much anticipated Lion King set. We review Black and White, China Pavilion and Materhorn, we reminisce about EPCOT’s Kitchen Kaberet, and we discus the upcoming D23 Expo. We of course deliver the latest Vinylmation news and rumors and have an up to date schedule of release dates and events. The winner of the Robots Contest is announced. Oh, and we read your comments and questions in the Mystery Mail Bag.
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The Lion King Vinylmation Explained

WDWNT on August 10, 2011

Lion King
Release Date: August 21 at D23 Expo; August 29 at Disney Stores
Disney Store Exclusive
Retail: TBA


Released to theaters on June 15, 1994 by Walt Disney Pictures, The Lion King is the 32nd film in the Walt Disney Animated Classics. The Lion King will be released on Blu Ray on October 4th, 2011 and hit theaters once again for two weeks beginning September 16th… this time in 3D.

“First impression… this set is amazing. The detail on the figures blows me away. Rafiki stands out as my favorite. I’m a little disappointed in Zazu, but can’t place it. I will say I’m a bit disappointed in character selection, but only because I would have liked to see maybe some Lion King landscapes, or other (non main character) animals, or movie scenes. Lion King is a vibrant movie, and that is captured on the characters here, but I would have like the envelope pushed farther. Here is where I get controversial… two Hyenas here? either give us all three or none. Because as much as like New Mold, the Villains 1 Banzai doesn’t fit here. Now that you guys changed my mind this is Banzai here and not Ed, that means the chaser most likely is Ed. They wouldn’t give us 2 Hyenas, with one we already have in Villains 1, and not all 3… or would they? Just one more thing… lots of tails???” – Nick

 Mufasa

Voiced by James Earl Jones

King of Pridelands and Simba’s father.

Beautiful colors and great use of the entire mold to give Mufasa a strong presence. I do not agree with the angry roar version depicted here. I think of Mufasa more as a stoic and wise leader. I would have liked to see a friendlier looking version.
Young Nala

Voiced by Niketa Calame

Simba’s best friend and later mate.

A nice clean and simple look.
Young Simba

Voiced by Johnathan Taylor Thomas

Zoe called this one! She calls him “I just can’t wait to be king Simba”. It’s young Simba with the leaves all around his head before he grows up and gets his mane. Great looking figure. I might be blasted for this, but this young Simba looks 20x better than the Animation 1 Combo Topper.
Baby Simba

Voiced by N/A

Simply a brilliant choice. Didn’t expect this one. Thank Zoe for helping figure this one out. He looks perturbed at being shown off around the Pridelands and comes complete with the markings Rafiki put on his little head.
Timon

Voiced by Nathan Lane

This guy and Pumba make this set great. The artist took the fun route with these guys, not just giving you the character, but designing a representation of classic movie scenes. Look at the animation in his mouth as it raises up and back. Perfect.Also, I like the small detail like the light brown color coming down onto the hand uneven, not a straight line at the cuff.
Pumbaa

Voiced by Ernie Sabella

Awesome! Simply a great capture. Look how big his face is. Takes up the whole figure. That’s where the artists excel in this set… using the head for the upper part of the face and extending it down into the body. Then the colors and detail on the bug as well.
Zazu

Voiced by Rowan Atkinson

Why does this one just miss for me? And no mold cracks please. They eyes and body color are captured well. I would argue that the feet need to be an orange as opposed to yellow. Maybe he needs a neck piece? Maybe, like Cruella, he needs to be painted inside the body and not fill out the body? Maybe a profile would have worked better. Big question… Sam the Eagle like tail on back?
Rafiki

Voiced by Robert Guillaume

Best figure in set hands down. Wow! Good job Disney artists. The accessory really puts him over the top. Great facial expression, coloring and placement of art.
Scar

Voiced by Jeremy Irons

Very similar to Mufasa in style, they are brothers, but Scar of course has the more menacing and dark look to him. Again, his features are perfectly captured on the mold. Pairing a roaring Scar with a roaring Mufasa does make sense.
Shenzi

Voiced by Whoopi Goldberg

One of Scar’s three henchmen hyenas.

This one looks good. The tuft of hair on the head. The menacing smile. Nicely done.
Ed Banzai

Voiced by Cheech Marin

One of Scar’s three henchmen hyenas.

Thanks for all you comments changing my mind. I thought this was a total miss as ED, because I couldn’t believe they would put another Banzai in a set after Villains 1… but they did. I’ll say, this one looks better.
Mystery Chaser

What are your guesses? Sarabi? Timon in hula skirt? Ed?

Packaging photos (darn you Disney for making me keep more empty boxes!!!):

Copyright Disney
Copyright Disney
Copyright Disney
Copyright Disney

Lion King Confirmed at D23

WDWNT on August 9, 2011

Lion King now joins the It’s a Small World Jr. 4 set as being confirmed to make it’s debut at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, CA later this month.

Mufasa. Photo copyright Disney

Lion King will show up at D23 on the last day, Sunday, August 21. As rumored, there will also be an artist signing beginning at 10am that same day. Lion King will be a Disney Store exclusive and will officially hit shelves on August 29.

Will We Hear the Roar of the King at D23?

WDWNT on August 2, 2011

Update: 8/5/11 Disney said today on the Blog to “Stay tuned as we have some exciting news to share about the release of this series.” Will they announce the D23 release and artist signing? They did release this picture of the actual Mufasa figure:

Copyright Disney

According to rumors on Vinylnation.net, Simba really can’t wait to be King. When a collector was talking to Disney Store Artist Enrique Pita at the Robots Vinlymation signing in California last week, Enrique reportedly let it slip that the artists will be on hand at the D23 Expo (August 19-21 in Anaheim, CA) signing Lion King Vinylmation. What!? But Lion King will not be out until the following Friday the collector remarked. Enrique then said that Lion King will be available at D23.

This set is exciting. One of my all-time favorite moves in Vinylmation form with the Blu Ray coming in October and the 3D theater experience! Exciting times. These Vinylmation will surely be the mane event for me at the Expo. We will see if we get that early peek at D23. And if you can’t make it to D23, Hakuna Matata, we will of course be reporting all the info we get as we get it and posting lots of pictures throughout the weekend. Oh, and check out Zoe’s predictions for this set here.

Episode 032 Panda

WDWNT on August 1, 2011

Ep. 032 Panda
This week we talk about the Doug Vinylmation, another crazy Disney Afternoons release. Davy Crockett was also released the weekend. How does Davy stand up against the other great Park 9″ figures? We have all the latest news, including It’s a Small World, Alice in Wonderland, and The Lion King. Plus up to date release dates. And, as always, a Mystery Mail Bag filled to the brim with your questions and comments.
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Episode 028 Mike Mouse

WDWNT on July 4, 2011

Ep. 028 Mike Mouse
Pirates of the Caribbean Vinylmation were released this week. We review the set and give you our take on how the new mold looks with POTC as compared to Sea Creatures and Cutesters Like You. A lot of news this week about Star Wars, Lion King and new sets this holiday season. We also have the latest release dates. And in a special Mystery Mail Treasure Chest, we embark on a quest to read your comments and answer your questions.
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