The Lion King: Beyonce single Spirit released ahead of album Lion King: The Gift

Beyoncé's special new album The Lion King: The Gift is being released alongside the new film on 19 July - but we don't have to wait until then to get a taste of what's coming!

The first single 'Spirit' has dropped following the film's premiere, and fans have been taking to social media in droves to give it the thumbs up.

The album is being produced and curated by Beyoncé herself, and we'll also be able to hear her singing on the film soundtrack.

Beyoncé and Donald Glover team up for "Can You Feel the Love Tonight", with Walt Disney Records due to release the soundtrack for the new live-action remake of The Lion King on July 11.

This is far from the first time the star, who plays Nala, has got Lion King fans all excited.

Back on 2 July she posted a picture on her Instagram account showing her having a face-off with her lion alter-ego. It racked up almost 2.5 million likes in just an hour.

Beyonce posed with the young Simba actor JD McCrary and the film's director/producer Jon Favreau at the film premiere

She also brought her daughter Blue Ivy to the film's premiere

Disney's The Lion King is due for release 25 years after the cartoon original, which was one of the biggest animated films of all time.

So what do we know about the new film?

Who will play the characters?

Unsurprisingly, there's a star-studded cast.

As mentioned already, Donald Glover will be the voice of the future king Simba, while superstar singer Beyonce is voice of Nala - the lioness who befriends Simba as a young cub, and later becomes his partner as he fights against his evil uncle Scar.

James Earl Jones (left) will play Mufasa again and Donald Glover (right) is going to play the lead role of Simba.

James Earl Jones, who was the voice of Simba's dad Mufasa in the original animated film, takes on the role again in the live-action version.

Chiwetel Ejiofor will play Scar, while John Kani will take on the part of the wise baboon Rafiki.

Beyonce will voice Nala in the new film

Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen will play lovable meerkat and warthog duo Timon and Pumbaa, while American TV presenter John Oliver will be the voice of Zazu - the red-billed hornbill played by Mr Bean actor Rowan Atkinson in the original film.

Alfre Woodard will play Simba's mother Sarabi, while JD McCrary and Shahadi Wright Joseph will be the young Simba and young Nala.

What songs will be in it?

The Lion King was turned into a stage musical in 1997

Lovers of the original songs, like Can You Feel The Love Tonight, I Just Can't Wait To Be King and Circle of Life, will be pleased to hear that the new film will include songs from the original film.

Jon Favreau, who directed the recent remake of The Jungle Book, will be directing the film.

Jon Favreau, who directed The Jungle Book, will be behind the new film

The Lion King was the first Disney animated film to feature a completely original storyline - that is, one that was not adapted from a pre-existing story.

The film was also turned into theatre show and was a huge success.

The Lion King isn't the only live-action Disney remake being released in 2019. Other movies include Dumbo and Aladdin.