from Disney Mufasa: The Lion King is seeking financial success similar to its predecessor, which grossed $1.6 billion worldwide at the box office. The film may have difficulty garnering similar returns due, in part, to the mixed reviews the 2019 film received. The big question will be how interested fans will be in the Lion King live-action prequel story. The highly anticipated film hopes to continue the trend of its acclaimed director, Barry Jenkins.
Jenkins has had an impressive career as a director and producer. His works often revolve around themes of black identity, fatherhood, and friendships. His most notable work, Moonlightearned him several accolades, including the Oscar for Best Film and Best Adapted Screenplay. Described as a prequel and a sequel Mufasa: The Lion King will be Jenkins’ first film as director since 2018. Looking at Jenkins’ body of work, Mufasa must become a critical success.
Barry Jenkins only directed critically acclaimed films before Mufasa: The Lion King
He has a track record of continued success
Critics have overwhelmingly admired Barry Jenkins’ films since the start of his career in 2008. Each of his films as a director has scored at least 85% on Rotten Tomatoes. His television work also achieved similar numbers. He was also executive producer and director of the 2021 series The Underground Railroad (94% on Rotten Tomatoes). The success of Jenkins’ films and shows has earned him a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after directors.
|
Feature Films by Barry Jenkins (as Director) |
Rotten Tomatoes score |
|---|---|
|
Medication for Melancholy (2008) |
85% |
|
Moonlight (2016) |
98% |
|
If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) |
95% |
Mufasa: The Lion King It will be a different story for Jenkins, as he has never worked on a blockbuster production like this before. He also wrote all the films he previously directed, which was not the case with Mufasa. Given the circumstances, if Jenkins gains favor with critics as he has in the past, his continued trend of critical success will be even more impressive.
Mufasa: The Lion King needs to beat 2019’s Lion King to maintain Barry Jenkins’ RT streak
The film received a score of 51%
To continue his streak of new films on Rotten Tomatoes, Barry Jenkins will need to do more than beat 2019’s The Lion King score. So that Mufasa to be fresh, the prequel film must achieve a score of at least 60%which means the film could surpass its score and still not be new. The advantage this film will have is that it will not be a retelling of a story we already know, but a new original story to expand the tradition of The Lion King. There is also a downside to this, which can prevent the film from staying up to date.
Tired attitudes towards The Lion King the prequels forced Jenkins to defend the Mufasa prequel from criticism. Barry Jenkins is an acclaimed director and his inspiring stories evoke strong emotional responses, and he hasn’t had a critically rotten project on Rotten Tomatoes. Mufasa: The Lion King It will be a new challenge for Jenkins, but his talent puts him in a good position to bring the prequel to a new Rotten Tomatoes soundtrack.
Source: Rotten tomatoes