Home » South Africans Want John Kani on The Lion King Poster

South Africans Want John Kani on The Lion King Poster

Over on Twitter, actor John Kani has been trending at the top of the South African list ever since The Lion King released the following photo of the cast of the new movie remake… without including South Africa’s esteemed actor who plays the voice of Rafaki (the wise mandrill). The cast of #TheLionKing. The king […]

By Jenni Baxter
09-07-19 11:11
in Entertainment

Over on Twitter, actor John Kani has been trending at the top of the South African list ever since The Lion King released the following photo of the cast of the new movie remake… without including South Africa’s esteemed actor who plays the voice of Rafaki (the wise mandrill).

The photo, which was posted on Monday, features all the actors who voice the lead characters, with Donald Glover (Simba) and Beyonce (Nala) in the centre.

South African fans immediately noticed the absence of John Kani immediately. Lerato Kekana was one of many who tweeted: “I don’t see John Kani??”

Some were outraged: “Where the f**k is John Kani!? You can’t have an African inspired movie that plays South African music in the background and not have the South African there with you guys. That’s straight disrespectful! Period.”

As it turns out American actor James Earl Jones (Mufasa) isn’t in the photo either. The men were probably not available on the day of the photoshoot.

Kani’s schedule has been hectic – in May he took part in a successful season of Kunene and the King at The Fugard Theatre in South Africa.

And in June he was promoting TV movie Murder Mystery in which he stars alongside American stars Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler.

One South African social media user pointed out: “I wouldn’t worry much about John Kani, that man knows his worth.”

But for all those who called for the picture to be photoshopped to include Kani, we’ve obliged, putting our South African thesp up front and in main position:

But if that’s not enough, here’s another:

Meanwhile in the United States, John Kani is having a blast.

He tweeted earlier today: “Landed in JFK. Mrs Kani and I were met at the door of the plane by airport officials (and) taken through Diplomatic customs desk. Quick passport check and then taken to the connecting LA flight for the Lion King Red Carpet Premier. Wow I am getting used to this shit!!”

Watch John Kani reveal that he told his daughter he didn’t take a photo with Beyonce “because she didn’t ask”:

Listen to John Kani in the new version of The Lion King:

John Kani as a Colonel in the new Jennifer Aniston TV movie:

https://twitter.com/SaneleBGumede_/status/1148296409025826816

Talking legendary. Here’s an interesting anecdote from John Kani about the past:

And here’s some fab new news: