Mufasa (The Lion King 2019)

Mufasa is the overarching protagonist of the 2019 photorealistic CGI remake of The Lion King and the titular protagonist of the 2024 prequel of the same name.
He is based on the character from the character of the same name from the 1994 animated film.
==Background==
===Personality===
As a cub, Mufasa was headstrong and playful. He especially loved to brag about his speed. Despite his fun-loving nature, he was more grounded and mature than his adoptive brother, Scar. He understood the concept of the Circle of Life and displayed a humble attitude in the face of other species' strengths. Because of his past experiences with a flash flood, he harbored a deep-rooted fear of water and drowning.
Having been brought up among the females of his pride, Mufasa honed his skills as a hunter and tracker, and became adept at survival. He was exceptionally brave and fierce, being willing to leap to Eshe's defense despite her pleas for him to flee danger. His natural courage and strength even managed to impress Obasi, though it sometimes made Scar jealous. Even so, Mufasa was subservient, humble, and mature, being willing to submit to Obasi's authority and pledge his loyalty to Scar. He was fiercely devoted to his brother and did everything he could to bolster Scar's royal destiny, as seen in his attempts to build him a new kingdom and set him up with Sarabi.
Over time, Mufasa gained confidence in his leadership abilities. He employed a strong, rousing manner of speech that could sway total strangers to his side in times of crisis. Likewise, he was unwaveringly determined and strong, and would not give up a fight, even at the cost of his life. In the face of deeply personal setbacks, like Scar's betrayal, he remained forgiving and compassionate, being willing to pardon his brother for his treachery, although he denied Scar's original name as Taka as punishment for his betrayal, showing that he held a great grudge against him for betraying his trust and broke their brotherly relationship.
As an adult, 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.
Mufasa 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 his younger brother'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, not seeing how much Scar hated him either, which ultimately led to the king's downfall and death.
As a spirit, Mufasa always watches over his son and was the one who gave him the courage to assume his role in the Circle of Life. Just as he will forever watch over Simba, he watches over his granddaughter, Kiara.
===Physical appearance===
As a cub, Mufasa was moderately sized and slightly compact. He had golden fur, with lighter fur on his chest and lower muzzle. His eyes were yellow. Upon growing into an adolescent, Mufasa became larger and more well-built, with noticeably more height, weight, and muscle than his adoptive brother, Scar. He also grew a short golden-brown mane. As an adult, Mufasa possesses a darker, brown mane that fades into a lighter tan to almost white around his face and chin, and his shown to be incredibly physically healthy and muscular. He also has small scars on his face.
==Appearances==
===The Lion King===
Mufasa appears in the 2019 remake of the animated film, still voiced by his original voice actor James Earl Jones, the only actor from the original film to retake his respective character. He is described as having ruled for many years and is somewhat older and wearier than his previous incarnation. He is stated to have fought Scar for leadership in this version of the film and has a history of conflict with Shenzi.
Mufasa first appears when Zazu and Rafiki greet him for the presentation of Simba, his newborn son, and watches proudly with Sarabi as the animals celebrate Simba's birth. Later, when he realizes that Scar did not attend Simba's presentation, he confronts his brother, who feigns forgetfulness and then descends into bitterness at having his "right" as heir to the throne taken from him. As Scar turns his back on Mufasa, the former voices that he can do whatever he wants and that Mufasa shouldn't turn his back on him. Mufasa angrily questions if Scar is challenging him, but Scar replies that having once challenged Mufasa for the throne already and having lost, he wouldn't dare challenge his brother again. As Scar leaves, Zazu remarks that Scar should have been exiled, to which the king states that Scar is family and that as long as he reigns, Scar is free to remain in the Pride Lands, saying that the kingdom is Scar's home just as it is for the other lions before leaving to patrol the kingdom with Zazu.
Later, when Simba wakes Mufasa up because he promised to take him on patrol, Mufasa takes his son to the top of Pride Rock and roars to greet the morning, before telling Simba about how a king's time as ruler rises and sets like the sun. He also informs him that everything the light touches is their kingdom and that he must never venture to the shadowy lands on the northern borders. When Simba asks questions, Mufasa tells him that the Pride Lands do not belong to anyone and that a true king does not look for what he can take and looks to give instead. Taking Simba with him, he explains about the circle of life and later encourages Simba to practice pouncing on Zazu. However, their fun is interrupted when Zazu informs Mufasa that Sarabi is leading an attack against the invading hyenas coming into the Pride Lands. When Simba asks to come and help, Mufasa refuses, saying that Simba is to stay home with the other cubs before rushing off to join Sarabi in battle.
Later, when he learns from Zazu that Simba has taken Nala into the hyena clan's territory in the Elephant Graveyard, he rushes to defend the cubs, fighting off dozens of hyenas and ordering their matriarch, Shenzi, to leave his son alone. Shenzi, fearful of Mufasa's wrath and acknowledging his strength, allows them to leave unharmed. Mufasa, though disappointed in his son for disobeying him, forgives Simba, telling him that he was scared for Simba's safety and that there is a difference between bravery and foolish bravado. After forgiving Simba, Mufasa then teaches him about the kings of the past, who will guide him in the years to come, hoping to prepare Simba for his eventual death when the time comes.
Later, Scar sets in motion a plot to assassinate Mufasa, causing a wildebeest stampede with the hyenas' aid and having Simba practice roaring in the gorge as part of the trap. Hearing that Simba is in danger, Mufasa comes to his rescue, successfully saving his son before trying to escape the gorge. Unable to climb the escarpment at the top without help due to dozens of wildebeests running across the gorge, Mufasa begs Scar for aid, only for Scar to betray him by knocking him back into the gorge to his death. When Simba finds his father dead, Scar deceives Simba into believing it is his fault Mufasa is dead and tells him to run away, as his mother and pride will never forgive him for the death of his father. Meanwhile, at Pride Rock, Scar tells the lion pride that Mufasa and Simba both died, as Scar becomes the new king.
Several years later, Mufasa reappears as a spirit when Simba is guided by Rafiki to a pool of water after the latter discovers Simba's survival. Telling him that Mufasa lives on in Simba's heart, Mufasa is summoned up in the sky before Simba. Mufasa, taking the form of a powerful storm, informs Simba that as his son and rightful heir, Simba must remember who he is and return to the Pride Lands, further stating that though he is gone, he'll never leave Simba again and that as king, he was most proud of one thing: having Simba as his son, a fact that would last forever. Encouraged, Simba returns to the Pride Lands with Nala as well as Timon, Pumbaa, and Zazu by his side, where he discovers the truth about how Scar murdered Mufasa.
Remembering how Mufasa plummeted into the stampede, Simba is furious at Scar for betraying their family. Scar frantically tries to deceive the pride that Simba is lying and now plans to kill him. However, Sarabi confirms that she overheard his sadistic gloating over Mufasa's last moments, proving Scar lied about not arriving in time to save Mufasa and Simba. Soon, the lions and their allies defeat Scar and his hyena minions in battle. Later after Scar's death, Mufasa then tells Simba to take his rightful place as king of Pride Rock, avenging his father's place as king once and for all, restoring peace to the Pride Lands once more.
This would be James Earl Jones' final performance as Mufasa before his passing on September 9, 2024, five years later.
===Mufasa: The Lion King===
Mufasa was born to Masego and Afia. As a cub, he lived with his parents in a desolate wasteland, though his parents assured him that they would someday find a paradise called "Milele."
One day, it began to rain, and a nearby ravine filled rapidly with water, to the delight of Mufasa and his family. Along with several nearby animals, Mufasa began to frolic in the water. However, as the current grew rapidly deeper and rougher, Mufasa's parents called him back to them. Too late, he got swept into a flash flood, and Masego jumped in after him and carried him to the edge of the ravine. Afia climbed down toward him and encouraged him to climb toward her. Paralyzed by fear, Mufasa refused to move, and an elephant got swept into the rocks upon which he was standing, flinging him back into the flood. He was then carried far downstream, away from his parents. Over time, Mufasa drifted into Obasi's territory. As he clung to a log, a fellow lion cub named Taka appeared on the riverbank, and the two introduced themselves. Taka then warned Mufasa that he was about to be eaten by crocodiles, and Mufasa fled to the riverbank, begging Taka for help. Though reluctant to assist a stray, Taka pulled Mufasa to safety, with help from his mother, Eshe. She was adamant that their pride's king, Obasi, would never accept a stray into their pride. However, when Mufasa confessed that he was lost and asked which way his home was, she was overcome by pity and decided to bring him before the pride.
Upon seeing Mufasa, Obasi resolved to eat him for being a stray and asserted that he was worthless. Mufasa retorted that he was fast, and so, Obasi proposed a race between him and Taka, with the prize being either Mufasa's induction into the pride or his death. Though Mufasa initially lagged behind, Taka confessed that he had always wanted a brother and let Mufasa win the race. Furious, Obasi declared that Mufasa would live with the females, not the males. Despite his father's disapproval, Taka bonded with Mufasa, and the two came to consider one another as brothers.
As Mufasa grew up, Eshe taught him how to hunt and hone his senses. Meanwhile, Taka was forced to spend time lazing and lounging with the other males in the pride, despite his yearning to hunt alongside his mother and adoptive brother. One day, Eshe asked Mufasa what he could sense, and he reported that there was a faraway herd of antelope. Eshe questioned how he knew this, and he replied that he could hear the plod of their hooves and the wind whistling over their horns. He added that he sometimes detected a familiar scent on the wind that reminded him of home, and Eshe asserted that his family might still be alive.As the two continued hunting, Taka followed them secretly. Suddenly, two white lions ambushed Eshe. Though Eshe urged Mufasa to run, he leaped to her defense, while Taka fled in fear. As they fought, Mufasa shoved one of the lions onto the sharp point of a log, killing him, while the other ran away. He guided a wounded Eshe back to the pride, and they explained to Obasi that they had been attacked by white lions. Obasi immediately became fearful of a rumored pride of "Outsiders" and thanked Mufasa for having saved his mate's life. Mufasa demanded that Obasi and his pride would prepare for the Outsiders, so Obasi hesitantly sent a scout to confirm Mufasa's claims
Later, the scout returned and warned Obasi that the Outsiders' numbers were far greater than their own. In an effort to preserve his bloodline, Obasi decided to send Taka away to start a new life. He ordered Mufasa to accompany Taka and pledge his loyalty to him. Together, the two young lions fled their pride. In their absence, the Outsiders confronted the pride and killed them.
Upon finishing off Obasi's pride, the Outsiders pursued Mufasa and Taka. As the young lions ran, they reached a river, and Mufasa refused to enter the water for fear of drowning. At that moment, the Outsiders approached, and Kiros demanded to know which of them had killed his son. Mufasa immediately took the blame and lied that Taka was simply a stray, but Akua and Amara deduced that he was the king's son. Bent on vengeance, Kiros ordered his pride to attack, and Mufasa and Taka fled. Eventually, they got cornered on the edge of a waterfall. Though Mufasa resolved to go down fighting, Taka knocked them both off the waterfall and into the river below.After escaping the Outsiders, Mufasa and Taka continued on their way. Suddenly, Mufasa detected a scent and confronted a nearby lioness named Sarabi. She claimed that she had been following them all night, undetected. He questioned why she had been tailing them, and she confessed that she had been searching for any remnants of her pride, which had been decimated by the Outsiders. Though Taka urged her to join up with them, she insisted that she did not need any help and introduced the brothers to her hornbill scout, Zazu. As Mufasa and Taka moved off to hunt, Zazu urged Sarabi to reconsider their offer, and she reluctantly followed them.
While hunting, the young lions ran into a lone mandrill named Rafiki. They started to attack him, only for Rafiki to reveal that he was searching for his long-lost "brother" at Milele. Recognizing the word from his childhood, Mufasa proposed a deal: they let Rafiki live, and he lead them to Milele. Rafiki ultimately accepted the deal, and the five formed a partnership.
As the group journeyed toward Milele, Taka confessed to Mufasa that he had romantic feelings for Sarabi and asked for his advice. Mufasa proposed that he be a good listener and talk about the flowers from her pride's valley. Though Taka made his best attempts at flirtation, he was awkward and stilted.
The group continued on, eventually reaching a ravine. Using his senses, Mufasa detected that the Outsiders were approaching and suggested that they climb down the ravine rather than try to cross it. As the group moved into the ravine, the Outsiders arrived, and Sarabi got the idea to unleash a hive of bees on a nearby herd of elephants. This incited a stampede that knocked her unconscious. Seeing Sarabi in peril, Mufasa dragged her under a rock and protected her from the elephants, all the while iterating, "I got you." Meanwhile, the elephants broke apart several rock bridges that the Outsiders had been using, which cut them off from their pursuit of Mufasa and his friends.
After the stampede had cleared, Rafiki revived Sarabi and informed her that "he" had saved her. She asked who specifically had saved her, and Mufasa interjected that it had been Taka. Grateful, Sarabi thanked and nuzzled Taka, after which Taka murmured his own thanks to Mufasa.
The group traveled on, scaling a snowy mountain. As they ascended, Mufasa told Zazu to cover their tracks so that the Outsiders could no longer follow them. Eventually, the group reached the mountain's summit. There, Mufasa let Rafiki climb onto his back, during which he remarked, "I got you." This made Sarabi realize that it had been Mufasa, not Taka, who had saved her life. She confronted Mufasa over the lie, and though he initially denied it out of loyalty to Taka, he eventually told the truth. The two proceeded to bond over their shared experiences and confessed their love for one another.
Unbeknownst to Mufasa, Taka was watching from a nearby snowy ridge. Inflamed by jealousy, he declared that Mufasa had betrayed him and denounced their brotherhood. He then revealed himself to the Outsiders and agreed to help them follow his friends to Milele.
Together, Mufasa and his friends reached Milele. Once there, Rafiki found a baobab tree and realized that his vision of a brother had, in fact, been of Mufasa all along.
At that moment, the Outsiders approached, and Kiros revealed that Taka had betrayed Mufasa. Horrified, Mufasa wondered why Taka would do such a thing, and he accused Mufasa of having taken Obasi, Eshe, and Sarabi away from him. In a desperate bid for help, Mufasa rallied the animals who lived at Milele to his cause, arguing that the Outsiders would simply kill them next. Persuaded by his speech, the animals pledged themselves to him and began to fight the Outsiders, while Mufasa took on Kiros.
As the battle raged, Mufasa and Kiros fought in a cave, with Kiros quickly getting the upper hand. Just before he could fatally strike Mufasa, Taka jumped in-between them, taking Kiros' blow across his eye. Suddenly, an earthquake split the land, forming Pride Rock and causing Mufasa and Kiros to fall into an underwater pool. As they continued to fight, Mufasa sensed a large boulder falling into the water and hurled Kiros underneath it, killing him. He then swam for the surface, and Taka, after a moment of hesitation, pulled him to safety.
Once outside, Mufasa was hailed as king by the animals of Milele. Though he insisted that he was nobody, Rafiki reminded him that it was his destiny to reign. Just then, Mufasa caught a familiar scent and followed it to where his mother, Afia, stood. He questioned what had happened to Masego, and Afia revealed that he had perished in the flood. However, she reminded Mufasa that Masego lived on in him.
Just then, Taka approached, and the animals questioned what would become of him. Mufasa announced to the crowd that, as long as he was king, Taka would be permitted to live in Milele. He told Taka that he would never speak his name again, and Taka suggested that he go by "Scar" from then on, as a reminder of what he had done. Mufasa then ascended Pride Rock and roared over his kingdom, solidifying his rule.
==Gallery==
==Trivia==
*Mufasa is described as having ruled for many years and is somewhat older and wearier than his animated counterpart. He is stated to have fought Scar for leadership in this version of the film and has a history of conflict with Shenzi. In Mufasa: The Lion King, It is revealed that Mufasa began ruling a little younger than Simba and that at that time the hyenas had not yet become his enemies.
*As in the original film, Mufasa is voiced by James Earl Jones in the The Lion King, who is also the only member of the original cast to participate in the remake. Jones' dialogue is essentially the same, with some tweaks and additions though.
==See also==
*Mufasa
==References==
==External links==
*
*Mufasa (2019) on Lion King Wiki.
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