“Lion King” Hollywood Bowl Gala Cast Jeremy Irons and Jennifer Hudson

The 30th anniversary of the original animated film version of “The Lion King” will be celebrated at the Hollywood Bowl next month with a live concert/screening of the film that will feature cast members from both the film and stage versions – and beyond – including Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane , Billy Eichner, Ernie Sabella, Jason Weaver, and Bradley Gibson.

Performances will take place at the Bowl May 24-25 and will be produced by Disney Concerts, Fulwell 73 Productions, AMP Worldwide and Live Nation-Hewitt Silva.

The general sale begins Friday at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster, with pre-sale for American Express cardholders beginning Tuesday at 10 a.m.

“Disney’s The Lion King 30th Anniversary – Live-to-Movie Concert Event” will feature a full orchestra performing Hans Zimmer’s Oscar-winning score for the 1994 classic, conducted by Sarah Hicks. But the long tail dropped by the film will be part of the celebration, too. The cast members who will sing the score written by Elton John and Tim Rice for the film will be drawn from the world of the successful Broadway adaptation that began in 1998 and the 2019 film remake, as well as the initial film.

Coming to the stage from the 1994 version are Irons (who created the villainous role of Scar), Lane (who played the comedic role of Timon), Ernie Sabella (Pumbaa the First) and Jason Weaver (who played Young Simba). Gibson will portray the Broadway incarnation (he played Simba on stage), and Eichner will bring memories of the 2019 remake (he voiced Timon on screen).

Hudson was not previously associated with the various incarnations of “The Lion King”. But even though most of the voice cast will be male, the opening number calls for a strong female voice, so it’s not hard to start a guessing game about where she fits in.

It’s especially easy to make some educated guesses about what she’ll do when you learn that Hudson sang “Circle of Life” when she became famous competing on “American Idol” during season three.

Concert representatives said other celebrity performers will be announced. Other performers will be selected from existing versions of the theatrical production, as well as a full chorus. Costumes, set design, and puppet work will also be borrowed from the Broadway/tour version.

The event precedes the upcoming December 20 release of Walt Disney Studios’ prequel, “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which, like the 2019 version, is being described as “live-action” (which, in this case, is trademarked as realistic Special for animation – not actual singing lions). Eichner reprises his role as Timon from the five-year-old remake in the upcoming prequel; Barry Jenkins is the director. The trailer was described as going well last week at CinemaCon.

Disney and Fulwell 73 previously collaborated on “Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium,” a live-streamed concert on Disney+ that won an Emmy, and “Disney’s Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl,” a 2022 concert at the venue. Also his choice too. It was turned into a special on Disney+. It seems likely that there will be similar plans for the “Lion King” anniversary parties in May, although no filming intentions have been announced.