For the past month Beyonce has had us all on edge as we await her ambitious new project, Black Is King, which will be hitting Disney+ on July 31. Over the weekend, Queen Bey graced us with a new glimpse at what the film will look like, thanks to a mesmerizing new teaser. In summary what she has shown us is that Black Is King will feature vibrant set pieces and costuming, cosmic iconography, and of course, appearances from Bey and Jay-Z themselves — as well as a star studded roster which includes Lupita Nyong’o, Naomi Campbell, Tina Knowles-Lawson, Pharrell Williams, and others.
The ornateness of the trailer provides the film with the massive cinematic introduction it deserves. As an all Black film, which celebrates and glorifies Black beauty, Black Is King is absolutely an “A List” motion picture, and a quick look at its credits reveals that it is. The film is written, produced, and directed by Beyoncé herself, alongside Blitz Bazawule, Ibra Ake, Jenn Nkiru, Jake Nava, Pierre Debusschere, and Dikayl Rimmasch. It is based on The Lion King, as well as Beyonce’s The Gift soundtrack album that complemented the 2019 film which she starred in. She’s referred to it as a “companion piece.”
As stated by Disney, “Black Is King is an affirmation of a grand purpose, with lush visuals that celebrate Black resilience and culture. The film highlights the beauty of tradition and Black excellence… it is a celebratory memoir for the world on the Black experience…The film is a story for the ages that informs and rebuilds the present. A reunion of cultures and shared generational beliefs. A story of how the people left most broken have an extraordinary gift and a purposeful future.”
Prior to the relase of the new trailer Beyonce took to Instagram to announce it, and she described it as, “…a labor of love. It is my passion project that I have been filming, researching and editing day and night for the past year. I’ve given it my all and now it’s yours.”
“The events of 2020 have made the film’s vision and message even more relevant, as people across the world embark on a historic journey,” she wrote at the time. “I believe that when Black people tell our own stories, we can shift the axis of the world and tell our REAL history of generational wealth and richness of soul that are not told in our history books.”
“With this visual album, I wanted to present elements of Black history and African tradition, with a modern twist and a universal message, and what it truly means to find your self-identity and build a legacy,” the 24-time Grammy winner continued. “My only goal is that you watch it with your family and that it gives you pride.”
The new teaser is now narrated by her, in her smooth, and sultry voice adding the final touch to this grand masterpiece.
“You were formed by the heat of the galaxy. What a thing to be, both unique and familiar, to be one and the same — and still unlike any other,” she says as a young boy floats in space before a bright flash reveals the superstar carrying a baby boy.
“Life is a set of choices: Lead, or be led astray,” she continues as what appear to be temptations and dangers appear. “Follow your light — or lose it.”
Black Is King will stream exclusively Disney+ on July 31, two weeks after the one-year anniversary of Disney’s The Lion King.