Mufasa (2019 film)

Mufasa was a male lion. He was the king of Pride Rock who preceded Scar. He was the adoptive son of Obasi and Eshe, the adoptive elder brother of Scar, and the mate of Sarabi, with whom he had a son, Simba.
After the birth of his son, Simba, Mufasa raised him to respect the Circle of Life and to embrace his role as the future king of the Pride Lands. Unbeknownst to Mufasa, Scar plotted to assassinate both him and Simba in order to usurp the throne. Scar enacted his plan in the form of a wildebeest stampede that endangered Simba's life. Though Mufasa was able to save his son, his attempts to scale the side of the gorge ended in Scar betraying him and throwing him to his death. Simba eventually found his father's body, and Scar convinced him that he was to blame for Mufasa's death. Ashamed, the cub fled the Pride Lands.
Years later, when Simba was a young adult, Mufasa's spirit appeared to him and implored him to return home and reclaim his birthright. Simba did so and learned in the process that Scar was to blame for Mufasa's death. After Scar's defeat and death, Simba ascended Pride Rock and took his place as the rightful king.
==Biography==
===Early life===
Mufasa was born to the reigning monarch of the Pride Lands. He had a younger brother named Scar.
In their youth, both Mufasa and Scar fell in love with Sarabi. However, she chose Mufasa over Scar, which embittered the younger lion. At one point, Scar challenged Mufasa for the throne but failed. Even so, Mufasa refused to exile his brother due to their familial ties.
Mufasa and Sarabi eventually had a son, whom they named Simba.
===Simba's presentation===
At Pride Rock, Mufasa and his mate, Sarabi, presented their newborn son, Simba, to their subjects.
After the ceremony, Mufasa and his majordomo, Zazu, confronted Scar for having missed the presentation. Scar lamented being second-in-line to the throne but made it clear that he would not challenge Mufasa's kingship again. As Scar slunk off, Zazu wondered why Mufasa refused to exile the younger lion, to which Mufasa said that they were brothers and that Scar had a right to live in the Pride Lands.
===Raising Simba===
Months passed, and Simba grew into a lively cub. One morning, he awakened Mufasa to take him on patrol. Mufasa led him to the summit of Pride Rock, where he showed Simba his future kingdom. He encouraged Simba to protect his homeland and to think about what he could give rather than take. He also forbid his son to visit the Elephant Graveyard.
The two walked across the grasslands, and Mufasa taught Simba about the Circle of Life. Just then, Zazu showed up and delivered his morning report. As he droned on, Mufasa instructed Simba on how to pounce. After Simba pounced on Zazu, the hornbill fluttered off, only to return quickly with news that hyenas were hunting in the Pride Lands. Mufasa rushed off to deal with the incursion, leaving Simba to return home with Zazu.
Later, Mufasa journeyed to the Elephant Graveyard to save Simba and his friend, Nala, from the hyenas. He brought them back to the Pride Lands and reprimanded Simba for having deliberately disobeyed him. Then he taught Simba about the Great Kings of the Past and promised that he would always be there for him.
===Death===
The next day, Simba got trapped in a stampede that had been set off by Scar and his minions. Scar fetched Mufasa, who rushed to Simba's rescue. Though he managed to bear Simba to safety, he struggled to scale the side of the gorge. At the top, he encountered Scar and begged him for help. However, Scar simply stated, "Long live the king," and threw Mufasa to his death.
After Mufasa's fall, Simba found his body at the bottom of the gorge and mourned his death. Scar soon arrived and convinced Simba that he was to blame for the king's demise and that he should flee the Pride Lands in shame. Simba did as his uncle had instructed and only narrowly avoided being killed by Scar's hyena minions on his way out of the Pride Lands. Meanwhile, Scar became king and allowed the hyenas to turn the kingdom into a wasteland.
===Post-mortem===
Years later, Mufasa appeared as a ghost to Simba, who was living in exile. He commanded his son to return to the Pride Lands and seize his birthright. When Simba did become king, Mufasa spoke a final "Remember," over his coronation.
==Physical appearance==
Mufasa was a huge and muscular lion, with a powerful build, a large muzzle, a white chin, and an exceptionally thick brown mane. His coat was sleek and gold, his lips were black, and his eyes were yellow.
==Personality and traits==
According to Zazu, Mufasa was a headstrong cub who often got into trouble.
As a full-grown lion, Mufasa was wise and noble, and respected the Circle of Life. Despite being the ruler of the Pride Lands, he never flaunted his status nor abused his authority over the other animals. He did not regard his kingdom as something he owned; rather, he believed that a true king should search for what he could give, not take.
Mufusa cared deeply for his family and was willing to risk his life for them. He was especially close to Simba, who was his pride and joy. Despite his soft side, Mufasa had a fierce temper that emerged whenever someone disrespected him or tried to harm his family. When enraged, he could be quite reckless and often rushed into danger without thinking. Even so, he was forgiving of his enemies, as he harbored no hatred of his estranged brother, Scar, despite the younger lion's hostility toward him. Mufasa still cared for Scar and refused to exile him, no matter how many times Scar disrespected him. This blinded Mufasa to Scar's true nature, which ultimately led to the king's downfall and death.
==Appearances==
==Trivia==
* Mufasa was voiced by James Earl Jones in The Lion King. He will be voiced by Aaron Pierre in Mufasa: The Lion King.
* Mufasa is the only character in the franchise whose voice actor reprised their role from the 1994 film for the 2019 remake.
* In the novelization, it is mentioned that Sarabi would sometimes question Mufasa on what had happened between him and Scar, but Mufasa would avoid the subject by speaking about the weather or the state of the pride.
* It has been reported that Mufasa's early life will be explored in the upcoming prequel to The Lion King.
==References==
Category:Characters
Category:Deceased characters
Category:Great Lions of the Past
Category:Leaders
Category:The Lion King (2019 film) characters
Category:Lions
Category:Males
Category:Mufasa: The Lion King characters
Category:Pride Landers
Category:Pride Lands royal family
Category:Rulers of Pride Rock