Entertainment headlines have a new entry this week, and Jon Favreau-backed LION to premiere in India on August 27, follows lion cub Kio’s journey is generating real conversation. Here is everything you need to know about the story that everyone is talking about.
The Story So Far
Add as a preferred source on Google National Geographic is set to first screening LION, a fresh wildlife series executive backed by Jon Favreau and Mike Gunton, on August 27. The series follows Kio, a lion cub in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, documenting his journey from a vulnerable young cub to a mature lion. LION will first screening on National Geographic India at 7 PM and will also stream on JioHotstar.
Filmed entirely in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, LION has been in production for four years. The team, which also included local Kenyan filmmakers, spent nearly 1,400 days filming across 52 captures while following the same pride. The series strives to offer a close look at Kio’s growth while exploring themes of family, survival, courage and leadership.
According to the makers, the production is the first natural history project to document a lion’s complete journey from cub to king. Speaking about the experience, Jon Favreau said, “After tracking the lions in the field for four years, the pride never ceased to surprise us. What Kio endures and eventually becomes is extraordinary.” He pointed out, “Watching this hero’s journey unfold against the backdrop of nature was incredible to witness.” The series also headlines an original score led by Academy Award-winning music filmmaker Hans Zimmer, with Niccolò Pacella and George Hutson Warren of Bleeding Fingers Music Group.
The music record incorporates local singers, traditional instruments and lion roars, with additional vocals by the Nairobi Chamber Chorus. The series theme was co-composed by Lebo M. Andrew Christie and Zimmer.
The music also includes subtle references to The Lion King, connecting the series to Favreau's previous work while maintaining its documentary setting. Alok Jain, Head of Hindi and English Entertainment Business at JioStar, said the series combines “patience, access and cinematic filmmaking” to tell Kio’s narrative.
“LION is a powerful narrative of survival, family and leadership, explained through the extraordinary journey of Kio,” Jain said. He pointed out that following Kio for four years allowed the filmmakers to capture his transformation from a vulnerable cub into a young lion. backed by BBC Studios Natural History Unit for National Geographic, LION has Favreau and Gunton as executive producers.
Jane Atkins serves as series backer, while Simon Blakeney is the co-executive backer.
Whether this marks the beginning of something bigger or a standalone moment remains to be seen. What is clear is that the entertainment world is watching closely — and so are we. Follow TeraMovies for complete coverage.
