JD McCrary Spills On How He Got His 'Lion King' Role!

JD McCrary is opening up about his role in the upcoming live-action Lion King flick!

The 11-year-old actor and musician, who is set to play young Simba in the movie, explained that it took quite a few auditions to land the role.

“It was interesting. I was in Atlanta shooting and did a self tape, I got a callback, then another callback and then was able to come back to LA to be in the room with the producers, and then I found out. And I’m thankful they picked me,” JD explained to J-14.

He added that when his parents told him he got the part, he thought he was about to get in trouble!

JD added, “I was at home in my room and my parents asked me to come in the living room. I was thinking, ‘What did I do?’ And then my mom said you are Simba — I was like ‘What?!’ I jumped around yelling, my mom cried and we stood in a circle and prayed to thank God!”

The Lion King is set to hit theaters on July 19th.