Mufasa: The Lion King is an upcoming American musical drama film directed by Barry Jenkins, written by Jeff Nathanson, and produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Pastel Productions. This film is a photorealistic computer-generated imagery are both the prequel and the sequel to the 2019 remake of The Lion King (1994).[1] Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, John Kani and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reprise their character roles from the remake, new cast members included Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Tiffany Boone, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Lennie James, and Knowles-Carter's daughter Blue Ivy Carter in her feature film debut.[2]
Development on the prequel to The Lion King was confirmed in September 2020, with Jenkins attached to direct and Nathanson finishing the draft of the script. Pierre and Harrison Jr. were announced as the voice cast in August 2021, followed by further casting between September 2022 and April 2024. This film was officially announced when its official title was revealed in September 2022 at the 2022 D23 Expo announcement. Production on this film slowed down in July 2023 due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.
Mufasa: The Lion King is scheduled to be released in theaters on December 20, 2024,[3] by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
Premise[]
In the Pride Lands of Tanzania after the events of The Lion King (2019), Rafiki the mandrill tells the story of two lions, Mufasa and Taka, to Kiara — the granddaughter of Mufasa and daughter of Simba and Nala. The story follows the orphan Mufasa, who is befriended by the young prince Taka and adopted by Taka's family, the pair become as close as brothers. Timon the meerkat and Pumbaa the warthog add color commentary.
Voice cast[]
- Aaron Pierre as Mufasa, the lion, the young prince to become the future king of the Pride Lands and the father of Simba.
- Braelyn Rankins as Young Mufasa
- Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka, the lion, the young prince and adoptive brother of Mufasa and the son of Eshe and Obasi who would later be known as Scar.
- Theo Somolu as Young Taka
- Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, the slow-witted warthog who befriends Simba.
- Billy Eichner as Timon, the wise-cracking meerkat who befriends Simba.
- John Kani as Rafiki, the wise mandrill who serves as the shaman of the Pride Lands, and the close friend of Mufasa's. Who telling the story with Kiara, Timon and Pumbaa.
- Kagiso Lediga as young Rafiki
- Tiffany Boone as Sarabi, the lioness who befriend of Mufasa, Taka and Rafiki to become the future Queen of the Pride Lands and the mother of Simba.
- Preston Nyman as Zazu, the young hornbill who is the future of majordomo to the King of the Pride Lands.
- Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros, the white lion with big plans for his pride
- Donald Glover as Simba, the lion who is the current king of Pride Rock and Mufasa's son.
- Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, the lioness who is Simba's mate and the queen of the Pride Lands and Mufasa and Sarabi’s daughter-in-law
- Thandiwe Newton as Eshe, the lioness, who is Taka's mother, Mufasa's adoptive mother and Obasi's mate.
- Lennie James as Obasi, the lion, who is Taka's father and Mufasa's adopted father, Eshe's mate and he is the leader of his pride.
- Keith David as Masego, the lion, who is Mufasa's biological father.
- Anika Noni Rose as Afia, the lioness, who is Mufasa's biological mother
- Blue Ivy Carter as Kiara, the young lion cub who is Simba and Nala's daughter and Mufasa and Sarabi's granddaughter and the princess of the Pride Lands.
Production[]
Development[]
In September 2020, it was announced that the follow-up film to the live-action-styled photorealistic CGI 2019 remake of The Lion King (1994) was in development, with Barry Jenkins attached to direct.[4] Reports indicated that the project would have the story centered on Mufasa during his formative years, with additional scenes focusing on the events after the first film, comparing the movie to the similar structure as The Godfather Part II (1974).[5] By this point, Jeff Nathanson, the previous installment's screenwriter, had completed the draft of the script.[6][7] This film was officially announced, with the title of Mufasa: The Lion King at the 2022 D23 Expo.[8]
On December 13, 2023, the Hollywood Handle reported that this film's plot would involve Rafiki telling the story of Mufasa to his granddaughter, Kiara, marking the character's first on-screen appearance of an animated feature film since The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998), the direct-to-video sequel to the original animated movie.[9] In regards on how much this film would adapt from Simba's Pride, Jenkins admitted that "some stuff" from the canon is very much alluded and referenced, but it isn't an adaptation per se.[10]
Casting[]
In August 2021, Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. were cast as the voices of young Mufasa and Scar, respectively.[11] During the interview with Fandango in April 2023 about this film Chevalier (2022), Harrison Jr. confirmed that this film will explore Scar's backstory, portraying him in the "hilarious and very, very spicy" way and expressing interest in how the young and sweet Scar's relationship with his brother Mufasa evolves throughout this film.[12] By September 2022, it was revealed that Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, and John Kani will reprise their roles as Pumbaa, Timon, and Rafiki, respectively.[13][14]
In April 2024, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Donald Glover were confirmed to reprise their roles, with Blue Ivy Carter (in her feature film debut), Tiffany Boone (replacing Alfre Woodard), Kagiso Lediga, Preston Nyman (replacing John Oliver), Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Lennie James, Anika Noni Rose, Keith David, Braelyn Rankins, Theo Somolu, Folake Olowofoyeku, Joanna Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, Abdul Salis, and Dominique Jennings announced as new additions to the cast.[15] Jenkins considered to cast Blue Ivy as Kiara since he heard this audiobook version she did for his friend Matthew A. Cherry's Hair Love (2019) short film, but had reservations on whether she and her mother would want to act opposite each other, fearing it may hit "too close to home", but both Blue Ivy and Beyoncé were enthusiastic when he proposed them the idea. Coupled with Beyonce's Renaissance tour, during which Blue Ivy participated as the dancer in the performance of one of The Lion King: The Gift album's songs, Jenkins felt there was some sort of synergy between mother and daughter with this film showcasing some type of "time capsule".[16]
Visual effects[]
In September 2022, at D23, the first footage was played exclusively to attendees, thus revealing that production had been underway.[8][13][14] Moving Picture Company is returning to provide the visual effects.[17] In July 2023, production on this film slowed down due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.[18]
Music[]
In June 2022, Nicholas Britell was hired to serve as composer for the score on this film's soundtrack, after having previously collaborated with Jenkins on various projects.[19] In September 2022, it was announced that Hans Zimmer and Pharrell Williams would return for this film,[20] and in April 2024, it was announced that Lin-Manuel Miranda would write the songs for this film.[21] Jenkins approached Miranda to work on this film due to keeping in touch since Jenkins almost cast Miranda in this film If Beale Street Could Talk (2018).[22] Mark Mancina would also co-produce the songs with Miranda, with Lebo M providing additional vocals and performances.[21] In September 2024, Dave Metzger was announced to be composing the film's score alongside Britell and Williams, with Zimmer said to have dropped out prior to production.[23]
Marketing[]
During the D23, the exclusive preview for this film was shown to those who attended, which revealed that Mufasa was the orphaned cub. The preview also revealed that Rafiki and Timon will tell stories about Mufasa's past and his way to becoming king.[24] Barry Jenkins also appeared during The Walt Disney Studios' presentation of their 2024 theatrical slate at CinemaCon on April 11, 2024, to promote this film, where he remarked: "You are probably wondering... what is the director of Moonlight (2016) doing talking to me about the eight-quadrant tentpole legacy IP massive film? And I gotta say, the thought was very strange to me at first, as well. But oh my gosh. It was one of your best decisions I've ever made in my life, and I'm so glad I made this picture."[25]
The first teaser trailer and the official teaser poster debuted on April 29, 2024, on ABC's Good Morning America. The trailer's music track was bookended by the new instrumental rendition of "Circle of Life," confirming that some musical material by Elton John and Tim Rice from the previous film would be featured in this film in some way.[26] The trailer received the mixed reception, some of whom deemed this film as "unnecessary" and the "soulless prequel to the soulless remake". Jenkins responded on Twitter writing, "There is nothing soulless about The Lion King ... For decades children have sat in theaters all over the world experiencing collective grief for the first time, engaging Shakespeare for the first time, across aisles in myriad languages. The most potent vessel for communal empathy."[27] The official full trailer for this film premiered during the Disney Entertainment Showcase at the 2024 D23 Expo on August 10, 2024, alongside the variant on the first poster with Taka and his future adult counterpart of Scar reflected in the puddle. The presentation also showcased the first listen to "I've Always Wanted a Brother," one of the songs Miranda wrote for this film.
Release[]
Mufasa: The Lion King is scheduled to be released on December 20, 2024.[28] It was previously scheduled for release on July 5, 2024, but was delayed to its current date due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.[29][30]
Videos[]
External links[]
Template:The Lion King Template:Disney's live-action adaptations of animated franchises
Template:Disney Renaissance Template:Barry Jenkins Template:Lin-Manuel Miranda
References[]
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