Mufasa: The Lion King

Mufasa: The Lion King is the upcoming prequel to the 2019 CGI-animated remake of The Lion King directed by Barry Jenkins. It will be released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures on December 20, 2024.
==Official synopsis==
"Mufasa: The Lion King enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka — the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny — their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe."
==Cast==
* Aaron Pierre and Braelyn Rankins as Mufasa
* Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka
* Tiffany Boone as Sarabi
* John Kani and Kagiso Lediga as Rafiki
* Preston Nyman as Zazu
* Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros
* Thandiwe Newton as Eshe
* Lennie James as Obasi
* Anika Noni Rose as Afia
* Keith David as Masego
* Seth Rogen as Pumbaa
* Billy Eichner as Timon
* Donald Glover as Simba
* Blue Ivy Carter as Kiara
* Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala
==Development==
===General===
The film was officially announced by Deadline Hollywood on September 29, 2020. It was reported that Barry Jenkins would serve as director, Jeff Nathanson would reprise his role as writer, and Adele Romanski and Mark Ceryak would serve as producers. The sequel's story would expand on the franchise's mythology and explore Mufasa's origins while still featuring an adventure set in the present, in a structure similar to that of The Godfather Part II.
On May 8, 2021, it was announced that the working title of the film was Wonderwall. It was also announced that production for the film would officially begin in Los Angeles on September 6, 2021. The film was revealed to be titled Mufasa: The Lion King at D23 on September 9, 2022. Also at D23, Jenkins revealed that the film would feature young versions of Timon, Pumbaa, and Rafiki. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly on September 21, 2022, Jenkins revealed that the film would have musical numbers.
In July 2023, production on the film slowed due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. On December 13, 2023, the Hollywood Handle reported that the film's plot would involve Rafiki telling the story of Mufasa to Simba's daughter, Kiara.
===Casting===
On May 8, 2021, it was announced that Disney was having a casting call for actors to play young Mufasa and Scar. In addition, it was revealed that seven new characters would be added to the cast: Adah, Horatio, Elijah, Celia, Kaliban, Cardi, and Zola. On August 26, 2021, it was announced that Aaron Pierre had been cast as young Mufasa, while Kelvin Harrison Jr. had been cast as young Taka. At D23, on September 9, 2022, it was revealed that Billy Eichner, Seth Rogen, and John Kani would reprise their roles as Timon, Pumbaa, and Rafiki respectively.
On April 29, 2024, the first official trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King premiered on Good Morning America. It was reported that Donald Glover and Beyoncé would reprise their roles as Simba and Nala respectively, while Blue Ivy Carter would voice their characters' daughter, Kiara. Several new cast members were announced, including Tiffany Boone as Sarabi; Kagiso Lediga as young Rafiki; Preston Nyman as Zazu; Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros; Thandiwe Newton as Taka's mother, Eshe; Lennie James as Taka's father, Obasi; Anika Noni Rose as Mufasa's mother, Afia; and Keith David as Mufasa's father, Masego. Additionally, Braelyn Rankins, Theo Somolu, Folake Olowofoyeku, Joanna Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, Abdul Salis, and Dominique Jennings were reported as having been cast in undisclosed roles.
===Visual effects===
MPC Film announced on December 9, 2020, that they would be returning to provide the VFX effects for the prequel.
===Music===
On December 10, 2020, it was announced that the soundtrack would be composed by Hans Zimmer, Pharrell Williams, and Nicholas Britell. With the release of the official trailer on April 29, 2024, it was revealed that Lin-Manuel Miranda would compose the film's songs, with Mark Mancina serving as a co-producer and Lebo M providing additional music and performances.
==Trivia==
* Scar's birth name of "Taka" originated in The Lion King: Six New Adventures, a book series inspired by the original 1994 The Lion King.
==Media==
Mufasa- The Lion King - Teaser Trailer|The teaser trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King.
==References==
Category:Films
Category:Real world