'The Lion King' returns in follow up movie 'The Lion Guard'

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar, a follow up to the 1994 animated hit The Lion King, will air on the Disney Channel this November, the network announced Wednesday.

The TV movie will focus on Kion, the second born cub of series mainstays Simba and Nala, as he becomes leader of the Lion Guard, a group of animals who protect the Pride Lands.

Accompanying him on his adventures will be a "confident cheetah, an "intellectual egret" and a "fearless honey badger," as they "learn how to utlize each of their unique abilities to solve problems and accomplish tasks to maintain balance within the Circle of Life," according to Disney Channel.

Kion, voiced by Max Charles of The Strain is joined by Rob Lowe from Parks and Recreation as Simba along with Gabrielle Union the star of Being Mary Jane as Nala. Original Lion King cast members James Earl Jones and Ernie Sabella will be retuning as Mufasa and Pumbaa respectively.

The current plan is for the movie to launch a new animated series of the same name to premiere in early 2016 on Disney Junior.