It also became the seventh-highest-grossing film of all time and the second-highest-grossing film of 2019. It has grossed over $1.6 billion worldwide during its theatrical run, breaking several box-office records, including overtaking Frozen to become the highest-grossing animated film of all time. The Lion King premiered in Hollywood on July 9, 2019, and was theatrically released in the United States on July 19, 2019, in the Dolby Cinema, RealD 3D and IMAX formats. With an estimated budget of around $260 million, The Lion King is one of the most expensive films ever made. The film serves as the final credit for editor Mark Livolsi, and it is dedicated to his memory. Composers Hans Zimmer, Elton John, and lyricist Tim Rice, all of whom worked on the original's soundtrack, returned to compose the score alongside Knowles-Carter, who assisted John in the reworking of the soundtrack and wrote a new song for the film, titled ' Spirit', which she also performed. The 'virtual-reality tools' utilized in The Jungle Book 's cinematography were used to a greater degree during filming of The Lion King.

Much of the main cast signed in early 2017, and principal photography began in mid-2017 on a blue screen stage in Los Angeles. Favreau was inspired by certain roles of characters in the Broadway adaptation, and developed upon elements of the original film's story. Disney hired Nathanson to write the screenplay in October 2016. Plans for a remake of 1994's The Lion King were confirmed in September 2016 with Favreau attached to directed following box office successes for Disney remakes such as The Jungle Book (2016), which was also directed by Favreau.

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