“You were formed by the heat of the galaxy,” Beyoncé narrates in the new “Black Is King” trailer. “What a thing to be both unique and familiar. To be one and the same. And still unlike any other.” Her character is informing a young king, the protagonist of her new visual album, of his origins — and his destiny.
“Life is a set of choices,” Beyoncé’s character, who appears to be the young king’s mother, stresses. “Lead or be led astray. Follow your light or lose it.”
Written, directed, and executive produced by Beyoncé, “Black Is King” is a retelling of the lessons of “The Lion King.” Featuring songs including “My Power,” “Already,” “Mood 4 Eva,” and “Brown Skin Girl,” the visual album is based on the music of “The Lion King: The Gift,” the soundtrack Beyoncé curated for the 2019 remake of “The Lion King.” She also starred in the pic as Nala.
Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o, Beyoncé’s fellow Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland, and models Naomi Campbell, Aweng Ade-Chuol, and Adut Akech are among the film’s special guests.
Beyoncé co-directed “Homecoming,” a Netflix doc chronicling her legendary performance at Coachella 2018. The 24-time Grammy winner has also helmed or co-helmed many of her own music videos, including “Sorry” and “7/11,” as well as her iconic 2016 visual album “Lemonade.”
“Black Is King” hits Disney+ July 31. Per a recent distribution deal, the film will now be available in much of Africa via MultiChoice Group’s M-Net and Canal+ Afrique.
