Disney announced Wednesday that Beyoncé Knowles-Carter would be joining the star-studded cast of the live action version of "The Lion King". The film starring greats like Donald Glover, Alfre Woodard and James Earl Jones reprising his role as Mufasa from 1994 film, is one of 17 live action reboots in the works for the Disney company. The live action reboots are designed to be a new take on our old stories.

The Singer will be taking on the role of Nala, opposite Glover's Simba. But Beyoncé's role will be more significant than that. In July the BeyHive Team announced that Knowles is set to produce the soundtrack to the movie in its entirety.

Now Beyoncé is officially attached to the film, confirmed by Disney.

Twitter was 'shook, ' and the BeyHive was buzzing, as Queen Bey is a welcome addition to the cast.

The announcement comes as a surprise because Beyoncé is famously known for turning down roles from Disney.

Last year Knowles-Carter turned down the role of the feather duster in the live action version of "Beauty and the Beast". Director of that film, Bill Condon was quoted saying that the "role was not big enough." Not only that but she lost out on a role to former co-star Anika Noni Rose because of her diva-like behavior.

Former Casting Director Jen Rudin spoke with the New York Post stating “Beyoncé expected an offer, but wouldn’t audition and so she didn’t get one.”

What's changed?

It seems like new motherhood changed the star. Knowles had been considering the role since early in the year. With the birth of her twins, Beyoncé is looking to her busier schedule.

Doing this Live Action film that only requires her voice, means that the production would be willing to accommodate any scheduling needs she might have. The last time the artist lent her voice to a film, she starred in the movie Dreamworks Movie "Epic" in 2013.

But the singer is not slowing down. She Is working on her new music. She did not take a lengthy maternity leave because she is feeling inspired. An unnamed source told Radar Online: “Beyoncé has hired nannies to help with the twins and she’s been writing and recording new material while working hard to get back in shape. There is no way she is going to step away for a few years to raise her kids, that is not on her agenda at the moment, she’s raring to go again.”

As stated before, she is not only taking on a speaking role, but she is producing the music in its entirety. She will act both as curator and producer for the soundtrack and will feature both new songs and Lion King classics. "The Lion King", directed by Jon Favreau is slated to come release in June 2019.
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