Mufasa: The Lion King

Category:2024 films
Category:Upcoming films
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). 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.
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, 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 ==
==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. 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). By this point, Jeff Nathanson, the previous installment's screenwriter, had completed the draft of the script. This film was officially announced, with the title of Mufasa: The Lion King at the 2022 D23 Expo.
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. 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.
===Casting===
In August 2021, Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. were cast as the voices of young Mufasa and Scar, respectively. 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. By September 2022, it was revealed that Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, and John Kani will reprise their roles as Pumbaa, Timon, and Rafiki, respectively.
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. 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".
===Visual effects===
In September 2022, at D23, the first footage was played exclusively to attendees, thus revealing that production had been underway. Moving Picture Company is returning to provide the visual effects. In July 2023, production on this film slowed down due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.
== 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. In September 2022, it was announced that Hans Zimmer and Pharrell Williams would return for this film, and in April 2024, it was announced that Lin-Manuel Miranda would write the songs for this film. 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). Mark Mancina would also co-produce the songs with Miranda, with Lebo M providing additional vocals and performances.
==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. 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."
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. 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." The official full trailer for the film premiered during the Disney Entertainment Showcase at the 2024 D23 Expo on August 10, 2024, alongside a variant on the first poster with Taka and his future adult counterpart of Scar reflected in the puddle. The presentation also showcased a first listen to "I've Always Wanted a Brother," one of the songs Miranda wrote for the film.
== Release ==
Mufasa: The Lion King is scheduled to be released on December 20, 2024. It was previously scheduled for release on July 5, 2024, but was delayed to its current date due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.
== Videos ==
Mufasa- The Lion King - Teaser Trailer
Mufasa- The Lion King - Official Trailer
== External links ==
*
 
== References ==
Category:Films starring Aaron Pierre
Category:Films starring Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Category:Films starring Seth Rogen
Category:Films starring Billy Eichner
Category:Films starring John Kani
Category:Films starring Kagiso Lediga
Category:Films starring Tiffany Boone
Category:Films starring Preston Nyman
Category:Films starring Mads Mikkelsen
Category:Films starring Donald Glover
Category:Films starring Beyoncé Knowles-Carter
Category:Films starring Thandiwe Newton
Category:Films starring Lennie James
Category:Films starring Keith David
Category:Films starring Anika Noni Rose
Category:Films starring Blue Ivy Carter
Category:Films starring Braelyn Rankins
Category:Films starring Theo Somolu
Category:Films starring Joanna Jones
Category:Films starring Folake Olowofoyeku
Category:Films starring Thuso Mbedu
Category:Films starring Sheila Atim
Category:Films starring Abdul Salis
Category:Films starring Dominique Jennings
Category:2020s coming-of-age films
Category:2020s fantasy adventure films
Category:2020s musical drama films
Category:2024 computer-animated films
Category:2024 fantasy films
Category:American adventure drama films
Category:American coming-of-age films
Category:American computer-animated films
Category:American epic films
Category:American fantasy adventure films
Category:American musical drama films
Category:American musical fantasy films
Category:Animated coming-of-age films
Category:Disney film remakes
Category:Upcoming English-language films
Category:Animated films about mammals
Category:Animated films about lions
Category:Animated films about royalty
Category:Animated films affected by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike
Category:Films directed by Barry Jenkins
Category:Films scored by Hans Zimmer
Category:Films scored by Lin-Manuel Miranda
Category:Films scored by Mark Mancina
Category:Films scored by Nicholas Britell
Category:Films scored by Pharrell Williams
Category:Films using motion capture
Category:Fiction about fratricide
Category:High fantasy films
Category:Animated films about hyenas
Category:IMAX films
Category:Upcoming prequel films
Category:The Lion King (franchise)
Category:Walt Disney Pictures films
Category:Upcoming sequel films
Category:Upcoming IMAX films
Category:Films about siblicide