The Lion King: Elton John writes new song for Disney remake while Chiwetel Ejiofor revives 'Be Prepared'

The soundtrack for Disney’s upcoming Lion King remake has been unveiled, featuring a new song co-written by Elton John.

“Never Too Late”, the new tune, was co-authored by John and Tim Rice. It will be performed by John along with an African choir.

This means that John, who also delivered the original tune “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” with his lyricist Bernie Taupin for his biopic Rocketman, could conceivably be up for two Best Original Song Oscars in 2020 – as both tunes are likely to attract the Academy’s attention.

The newly unveiled Lion King remake was made available on Monday, as tickets for the film became available.

Contrary to previous reports that claimed only four songs from Disney’s 1994 animated movie would make it into the remake, the new film is now poised to include all the songs from the original movie.

Chiwetel Ejiofor, who is voicing Scar, will notably perform the power-hungry hymn “Be Prepared”. The song, per the tracklist published by Pitchfork, will be presented in a “2019 version”, which hints that there might be some notable changes to it.

Other beloved tracks, such as “Circle of Life”, “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” and “Hakuna Matata” are also included.

The 19-strong tracklist includes a mysterious “TBA” title in its 14th position.

Notably, Beyoncé, who voices Nala, currently appears only once in the announced soundtrack, for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”. The yet-to-be-unveiled song led to some speculation that the star could contribute another tune to the film for a later announcement.

Pharrell Williams produced four of the soundtrack’s tunes: “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King”, “Hakuna Matata”, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”, and “Mbube”.

The Lion King will be released on 19 July.

Here is the full tracklist for the new Lion King soundtrack:

1. “Circle of Life / Nants’ Ingonyama”, performed by Lindiwe Mkhize

2. “Life’s Not Fair”, Hans Zimmer

3. “Rafiki’s Fireflies”, Hans Zimmer

4. “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King”, performed by JD McCrary, Shahadi Wright Joseph, John Oliver

5. “Elephant Graveyard”, Hans Zimmer

6. “Be Prepared (2019 Version)”, performed by Chiwetel Ejiofor

7. “Stampede”, Hans Zimmer: “

8. “Scar Takes the Throne”, Hans Zimmer

9. “Hakuna Matata”, performed by Billy Eichner, Seth Rogen, JD McCrary, Donald Glover

10. “Simba Is Alive!”, Hans Zimmer

11. “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”, performed by Billy Eichner, Seth Rogen

12. “Can you Feel the Love Tonight”, performed by Beyoncé, Donald Glover, Billy Eichner, Seth Rogen

13. “Reflections of Mufasa”, Hans Zimmer

14. TBA

15. “Battle for Pride Rock”, Hans Zimmer

16. “Remember”, Hans Zimmer

17. “Never Too Late”, performed by Elton John

18. “He Lives in You”, performed by Lebo M

19. “Mbube”, performed by Lebo M