Disney Lion King live-action remake casts Zazu – and it's THIS familiar face

The person voicing the bird – played by Rowan Atkinson in Disney’s animated original – will be John Olivier.

The Wrap claims that he has been tapped to voice the supporting character, after previously doing voice work on The Simpsons and Danger Mouse.

He is best known as the host of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver on US TV, as well as The Daily Show and Community.

He joins a cast that also already includes Donald Glover as Simba, Billy Eichner as Timon and Seth Rogen as Pumba.

James Earl Jones, who voiced Mufasa in the original, is reprising the part.

It’s also been rumoured – though not confirmed – that Beyonce is set to play Nala, although it has been suggested that her pregnancy ruled her out.

Favreau already has form with Disney live-action attempts, having helmed The Jungle Book.

The 2016 epic grossed $966.6 million at the box office worldwide, and also accrued a strong 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The CGI/live-action version of The Lion King is due out in July 2019.

Jeff Nathanson has penned the script, and Favreau is set to film it back-to-back with the sequel to The Jungle Book.

Production is thought to have commenced in May.