Lupita Nyong'o Recalls Impact of SeeingThe Lion Kingas a Kid: 'Swahili in a Disney Movie … Blew My Mind' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Lupita Nyong’o in Toronto on Sept. 8, 2024;The Lion King(1994).Photo:Rodin Eckenroth/Getty; Alamy

Lupita Nyong’o; The Lion King

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty; Alamy

The Lion Kingwas a huge — and personal — moment in pop culture forLupita Nyong’o.

In a conversation with PEOPLE surrounding her new filmThe Wild Robotat theToronto International Film Festivalon Sunday, Sept. 8, the actress said she “watchedThe Lion Kingvery many times” as a child, when asked if she had go-to animated film.

“The Lion Kingfeatured some Swahili in it and I’m from Kenya, so hearing Swahili in a Disney movie blew my mind away,” said Nyong’o, 41. “And yeah, it was set in Africa. I mean, that movie was like, this is mine. So I loved it.”

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The Lion King(1994).Buena Vista Pictures/ Everett

THE LION KING

Buena Vista Pictures/ Everett

AsMatthew Broderick, the voice of adult Simba, toldPEOPLE in an exclusive statement, in part, “I’m so lucky to have had a chance to work with James Earl Jones. To have had him play my father, my king! And to get to know him a little bit.”

“One of the very best of his or any generation,” added Broderick, 62. “A great American actor.”

“His heart was as big as his laugh, and nobody could laugh like James,” said Sabella, 74. “I am truly sad and miss him, but so very glad we had him for nearly a century.”

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James Earl Jones in Philadelphia on Nov. 19, 2012.Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty

Honoree Actor James Earl Jones attends the 2012 Marian Anderson awards gala at Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts on November 19, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty

The Wild Robotis in theaters Sept. 27.

source: people.com