After the success of the Lion King 2019 photo-realistic/live action adaptation, the legend continues with a prequel, Mufasa: The Lion King, a much anticipated 2024 new movie.
Oscar-winning director Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) directs Mufasa: The Lion King, which tells the story of how Simba's father, Mufasa rose from a lion cub to becoming king of the Pride Lands. Jenkins revealed at Disney's D23 Expo to Empire that: "This is a story about how Mufasa rose to royalty. He was born an orphaned cub, and in this film we get to explore his journey into the circle of life.
"Mufasa is who he is because of the people he has around him, and I saw that in myself. I had to make this movie. Because when I was 14 I was raising two nephews and there was a VHS tape that we watched about 95 times in the span of two days."
Here's everything we know about Mufasa: The Lion King.
Mufasa: The Lion King release date
Mufasa: The Lion King premieres exclusively in movie theaters worldwide on December 20.
Mufasa: The Lion King. 2024. pic.twitter.com/7rhorK8oLFSeptember 9, 2022
What is the plot of Mufasa: The Lion King?
Mufasa: The Lion King focuses on the titular lion Mufasa's rise to being one of the greatest leaders of the Pride Lands, which will be told through the eyes of fan-favorites Timon, Pumbaa and Rafiki.
The prequel will also tell the origin story of Mufasa and his brother Taka — who later becomes known as the villain Scar.
Here is the official synopsis for Mufasa: The Lion King:
"Exploring the unlikely rise of the beloved king of the Pride Lands, 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."
Mufasa: The Lion King cast
New and returning cast members are voicing Mufasa: The Lion King, including:
- Aaron Pierre as Mufasa
- Kelvin Harrison Jr as Scar/Taka
- Tiffany Boone (Hunters) as Sarabi
- Kagiso Lediga as Young Rafiki
- Preston Nyman as Zazu
- Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros, a formidable lion with big plans for his pride
- Thandiwe Newton as Taka's mother, Eshe
- Lennie James as Taka’s father, Obasi
- Anika Noni Rose as Mufasa's mother, Afia
- Keith David as Mufasa's father, Masego
- John Kani as Rafiki
- Seth Rogen as Pumbaa
- Billy Eichner as Timon
- Donald Glover as Simba
- Blue Ivy Carter as Kiara, daughter of King Simba and Queen Nala
- Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala
Also joining them are Braelyn Rankins, Theo Somolu, Folake Olowofoyeku, Joanna Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, Abdul Salis and Dominique Jennings.
Mufasa: The Lion King trailer
Disney has released an exciting trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King, which includes a voiceover of Rafiki telling the story of Mufasa, along with some striking visuals and songs written by award-winning songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda...
Prior to the official trailer's release, attendees at the Disney D23 exhibition were shown footage of the movie which showed Pride Rock with a voiceover of Rafiki along with a melody from the iconic Lion King soundtrack.
In the Pride Lands, baby Mufasa is then swept away in a flood, which could be the potential birth of his orphan story and how he ends up in the ruthless world alone.
Barry Jenkins movies
While the number of movies that Barry Jenkins has directed may not be many, he has hit it out the park just about every time. Here is his full list of feature directing credits:
- Medicine for Melancholy (2008)
- Moonlight (2016)
- If Beale Street Could Take (2018)
Let's not forget, he also directed all 10 episode of the acclaimed limited series The Underground Railroad.
