For Millennials. By Millennials.
As we mentioned in out The Lion King review, Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen are probably one of the few good things about the movie. Their chemistry in the movie is mind-blowing and though we weren’t big fans of their rendition of Hakuna Matata, we’ll have to say that Timon and Pumbaa were the best part of the movie.
Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen Answer Questions
Both actors sat down with Variety and got candid. They answered questions on how they prepared for their respective roles and how their chemistry is so natural. The actors also talked about when they first saw The Lion King. Seth Rogen answered this question with,
I guess I was 12 when “The Lion King” came out. I was about to enter high school, which is really weird to think about. It’s a movie I watched a lot, and I know every word to every song.
Similarly, Billy Eichner also got candid and answered it with same candidness.
I’m a couple years older than Seth, but I remember seeing it with my parents in the theater, and I vividly remember loving it.
The conversation got a bit serious when both actors were questioned on how they brought about a new twist to the already lovable characters.
Rogen said,
I think I mostly had to trust that Jon cast us for a reason and just give him what I hope he wanted from that decision. Obviously the director, especially Jon, is very specific and articulate in guiding you in the direction he wants, but what I quickly found was he wanted us to really try and make it our own.
Eichner also replied with,
It’s not really one of those movies where you were cast and you suddenly try a new voice out. It wasn’t like a Meryl Streep moment. He cast everyone for a reason because he heard our natural voices in his head and wanted some version of that.
See Their Chemistry Behind the Scenes
Both the actors have done a couple of interviews for The Lion King’s promotion. In all those interviews you’ll see the friendship evident between the two. You can catch some of the interviews down below.
The to share an effortless chemistry with each other and it translates really well onto the screen as well when they voice the characters of Timon and Pumbaa.