The Lion King, according to current estimates, is on course to make upwards of a trazillion bagillion dollars during its opening weekend.
More specifically, Jon Favreau's critically divisive photorealistic reimagining of the Disney classic—according to pre-release tracking from The Hollywood Reporter—is on course for a $150 million opening weekend in the U.S. Worldwide, big ass money estimates are placing the total haul in the general neighborhood of something between $400 and $450 million following its China debut of $54 million earlier this month. Not bad for a movie that would have been a massive box office success no matter what.
If these estimates hold true, which is very likely the case, this new Lion King will join the ranks of other gargantuan live action (quasi-live action?) Disney remakes like Aladdin, The Jungle Book, and Beauty and the Beast. Of course, the involvement of Donald Glover, Beyoncé, and the comforting presence of Seth Rogen's voice for those wisely watching while high certainly add an undeniable box office booster.
Ahead of this Friday's release, the official video for Beyoncé's The Lion King: The Gift single "Spirit" was shared, as was the cover art and full tracklist for the album itself, which will feature JAY-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, and tons more.
"I wanted to make sure we found the best talent from Africa and not just use some of the sounds and do my interpretation of it," Beyoncé, who executive produced the collection, told ABC of taking on the project. "I wanted it to be authentic to what is beautiful about the music in Africa."
