Alfre Woodard, John Kani join cast of Disney's 'Lion King' remake

Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Alfre Woodard and John Kani are set to star in Disney's upcoming Lion King remake from director Jon Favreau.

Woodard will be voicing the character of Sarabi, the mother of Simba while Kani will portray trusted royal adviser Rafiki, Entertainment Weekly reported.

In the original animated film from 1994, Madge Sinclair voiced Sarabi while Robert Guillaume took on Rafiki.

Woodard was last seen in Netflix's Marvel series Luke Cage and is also set to star in Saint Judy alongside Common and Michelle Monaghan and in director Clark Johnson's Juanita in the title role.

Kani last starred in Captain America: Civil War and will next be seen in Black Panther.

The pair join a growing star-studded cast that includes James Earl Jones reprising his role as Mufasa, Donald Glover as Simba, Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen as Timon and Pumbaa and John Oliver as Zazu. Chiwetel Ejiofor is currently in talks to voice the villainous Scar.

Lion King is set to arrive in theaters July 18, 2019.