Acclaimed actor of stage and screen David Oyelowo (A Most Violent Year, Selma, Queen of Katwe) will be putting on the pelt of one of animation’s most iconic villains to voice Scar in season two of Disney Junior’s The Lion Guard. Scar will reappear in the flames of a volcano after Kion, son of Simba and Nala, unwittingly summons him with the Roar of the Elders in a fit of anger.
Season two of The Lion Guard debuts Friday, July 7 with back-to-back episodes starting at 8 a.m. ET on Disney Channel. Scar will arrive in a special extended episode, “The Rise of Scar,” premiering Saturday, July 29 at 9 a.m.
In addition to his celebrated turns in live-action productions, Oyelowo is no stranger to animation voice over. He regularly performs the role of Agent Kallus in Star Wars: Rebels, and has hit the recording booth for episode of Robot Chicken and Glenn Martin DDS.
The season two guest star list also includes Tony Award-winning actress Renée Elise Goldsberry as Dhahabu, a charismatic golden zebra; Academy- and Grammy Award-winning rapper, actor, producer and poet Common as Kiburi, an arrogant crocodile; Kristofer Hivju as Kenge, a ferocious monitor lizard; AJ Mclean as Kuchimba, an adorable golden mole; Carla Hall as Mpishi, a “foodie” African harrier hawk; Christopher Jackson as Shujaa, a massively strong gorilla; CCH Pounder as Kongwe, a wise old turtle; Rico Rodriguez and Raini Rodriguez as Raha and Starahe, a brother and sister zebra duo; Sinbad as Uroho, a comedic baboon; Michael Dorn as Bupu, a large sable antelope; Justin Hires as Hodari, a tiny gecko; Jacob Bertrand, Mekai Curtis and Cade Sutton as Chama the elephant, Furaha the monkey and Mzaha the antelope, respectively; and Landry Bender as Makini, Rafiki’s spirited young mandrill apprentice.
Featuring Swahili language elements, original songs and expert input from Disney’s Animal Kingdom, The Lion Guard follows the adventures of Kion (Max Charles), the second-born cub of Simba (Rob Lowe) and Nala (Gabrielle Union), The regular voice cast also features Joshua Rush as Bunga, Atticus Shaffer as Ono, Diamond White as Fuli, Dusan Brown as Beshte, Eden Riegel as Kiara, Jeff Bennett as Zazu, Andrew Kishino as Janja, Vargus Mason as Cheezi, Jonny Rees as Mzingo, Khary Payton as Rafiki, Kevin Schon as Chungu and Timon, Gary Anthony Williams as Mufasa and Ernie Sabella who reprises his role as Pumbaa.
Ford Riley is executive producer with co-EP and supervising director Howy Parkins. Music by composer Christopher Willis and singer/songwriter Beau Black. Author and Swahili expert Sarah Mirza is language and cultural advisor. Disney Television Animation produces.
