Chiwetel Ejiofor is in talks to voice the villainous Scar in the upcoming live-action version of Disney’s The Lion King, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Directed by Jon Favreau, who directed the live-action Jungle Book, the movie has already confirmed Donald Glover as the voice of Simba and Tony winner James Earl Jones as Mufasa, a reprisal of the voiceover he did for the original animated film. Seth Rogen will voice Pumbaa the warthog, Billy Eichner will supply the voice for the meerkat Timon, and John Oliver will voice Zazu the red-billed hornbill.
Best known for his Academy Award-nominated turn in 12 Years a Slave, Ejiofor attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. In 2000, he received a London Evening Standard Theatre Award for Outstanding Newcomer for his performance in Blue/Orange. In 2008, he won the Olivier Award for his performance in Othello at the Donmar Warehouse.
