• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2026 ABC News
  • Culture

'The Lion King': Chance the Rapper reveals he landed a role

3:15
Sneak peek of the making of 'The Lion King'
Emma Mcintyre/Getty Images, FILE
ByKai Miller
July 11, 2019, 6:17 PM

Surprise! It turns out Chance the Rapper will be voicing a character in "The Lion King," all thanks to Donald Glover.

Tuesday night, while attending the film's premiere, the Chicago lyricist shared the extent of his role with fans on Instagram.

“I grew up my whole life obsessed with all things related to ['The Lion King'],” Chance began his lengthy caption. “Needless to say the original film was immensely impactful on my music and overall life. So when my big bro Donald [Glover] got [cast] as Simba, he did the coolest thing ever and told director Jon Favreau to call me in as a consultant to keep the original flavor.”

The rapper further explained that he spent "about a year" going to the film's production studio to get a first look at "amazing" early animations, scenes and music direction. At one point, Favreau asked Chance to contribute his vocal stylings to the film.

Related Articles

(MORE: New 'Lion King' live-action trailer will give you chills)

This image released by Disney shows characters, from left, Mufasa, voiced by James Earl Jones, and young Simba, voiced by JD McCrary, in a scene from "The Lion King."
Disney via AP

"One day I’m there Jon asked me to do some singing stuff, another day he asks me to do some lines,” he recalled. “It’s all a blur, but I’ll tell u it’s one of the best blurs of my whole life.”

The 26-year-old now can add an impressive credit to his resume, since his performance in the film made it into the finished product. According to his Instagram post, Chance portrays a bush baby who resides in the same idyllic nature retreat as Timon and Pumbaa.

"The Lion King" is set to hit theaters on July 19.

Related Articles

(MORE: Beyonce drops new 'The Lion King'-themed single, 'Spirit')

Up Next in Culture—

Live Nation illegally monopolized the market for tickets, jury finds

April 15, 2026

How to watch Coachella 2026 live: Kacey Musgraves joins lineup

April 15, 2026

Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep make 'Devil Wears Prada 2' press tour their runway

April 15, 2026

'Jeopardy!' champion Jamie Ding now a top-5 consecutive winner

April 15, 2026

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2026 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2026 ABC News