Beyonce has surprised fans once again with the announcement of her new visual album, Black Is King.
The superstar singer dropped a one-minute trailer for the visual album — which is also being described as a film — on her website Saturday night (June 27), giving fans a sneak peek into the Lion King-inspired release.
Written, directed and executive produced by Beyonce, Black Is King will premiere globally through Disney Plus on July 31. The debut arrives approximately one year after the theatrical release of the Lion King remake, which featured Beyonce as the voice for Nala.
Black Is King is based on the music from The Lion King: The Gift, Beyonce’s 2019 soundtrack for the animated film. The set featured appearances by Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell, Jay-Z and Blue Ivy Carter.
The upcoming film, which has been in production for a year, aims to reimagine lessons from The Lion King for “today’s young kings and queens in search of their own crowns,” according to an announcement from Disney and Beyoncé’s Parkwood Entertainment.
The visual album will highlight “the voyages of Black families, throughout time” and tell the story of “a young king’s transcendent journey through betrayal, love and self-identity,” the release added. “Black Is King is an affirmation of a grand purpose, with lush visuals that celebrate Black resilience and culture.”
Black Is King will star Beyonce and feature appearances by other artists who contributed to The Lion King: The Gift.
Watch the film’s trailer below.