Aug 25, 2026 3:19pm IST
Jon Favreau on Cub Kio in ‘LION’: ‘His Journey to Becoming a King Is Extraordinary’ (EXCLUSIVE)
“LION,” a new documentary series executive produced by Jon Favreau, director of “The Lion King,” is being released in four parts on National Geographic India. Premiering August 27, the series follows cub Kio on his four-year journey to becoming a king.
The official synopsis reads, “Filmed over four years, this sweeping saga of family, hope, and courage follows Kio as he grows from a vulnerable cub into a powerful leader. Along the way, he faces loss, exile, and fierce rivals in a fight to survive. Combining cinematic storytelling with groundbreaking natural history filmmaking, this series captures the complete coming-of-age story of a lion - and the remarkable making of a king.”
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Says Favreau of the series, “After tracking the lions in the wild for four years, the pride never ceased to surprise us. What Kio endures and eventually becomes is extraordinary. Watching this hero’s journey unfold against the backdrop of nature was incredible to witness.” Favreau is also known for “Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2,” “Made” and more.
The creative director for the series is Mike Gunton, while it is narrated by O.J. Lynch, known for voicing Mufasa in The Lion King stage production. The music for the series has been scored by Hans Zimmer, in collaboration with Niccolò Pacella and George Hutson Warren. The music was recorded in part in the Maasai Mara National Reserve and incorporates local singers, traditional instruments and even lion roars, while subtly weaving in re-recorded musical nods to “The Lion King.” The official soundtrack is also set to release August 21 across all major streaming platforms.
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The recently released trailer shows Kio’s journey in the wild. The series promises a visually stunning and emotionally powerful wildlife experience.
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