Mufasa confirms that a live-action The Lion King 2 would be very different from Simba's Pride

The following contains spoilers for Mufasa: The Lion King, now in theatersMufasa: The Lion King prepares the ground for possible adaptation The Lion King II: Simba's Pridebut the new film's ending means that any remake of this sequel would be very different. Mufasa: The Lion King establishes the future of the Pridelands after the events of The Lion King. Although most of the film centers on Simba's father in his youth, the end of Mufasa: The Lion King reintroduces audiences to the state of the Pridelands in the years following the 2019 remake of The Lion King. This includes a formal introduction to Simba and Nala's daughter, Kiara.

This focus on Kiara could be seen as a provocation to The Lion Kingfuture on the big screen, as she was the central character in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride. This makes it one of the possible sequences created by Mufasa: The Lion Kingexploring the aftermath of Scar's fall and the challenges faced by Simba and Kiara. However, one aspect MufasaThe ending of introduces a big new feature in this possible sequel, as it establishes a character who was absent from Lion King II but would probably be an important figure in any follow-up Mufasa.

Son of Simba and Nala born in Mufasa takes role in The Lion King 2

Simba's son will probably be important to anyone Mufasa: The Lion King Sequel

A prospective adaptation of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride would need to introduce Simba and Nala's son from the end of Mufasa: The Lion Kingwhich could have a domino effect on the adaptation given its absence in the original film. Mufasa: The Lion KingThe framing device follows Simba and Nala's daughter Kiara as she learns her grandfather's story from Rafiki. It is eventually revealed that this is because Nala is giving birth to a child. The end of Mufasa: The Lion King sets the stage for Kiara to be a dedicated big sister to her new brother.

It's an interesting change, especially in light of the rivalry that has continually grown between Mufasa and his adoptive brother Taka. This also means that the son would likely play an important role in any prospective follow-up of the Mufasa: The Lion King. Although Mufasa: The Lion King explored ideas that royal lineage was unnecessary for worthy nobility, the focus on Simba's family would likely be a key element of any follow-up. However, this would also introduce many new elements into any possible remake of The Lion King II: Simba's Prideseeing as Kiara didn't actually have a brother in the original film.

Simba and Nala's son was completely absent from The Lion King II: Simba's Pride

Kion was only created later The Lion King II: Simba's Pride

The Lion King II: Simba's Pride mainly focused on Kiara and highlighted his attempts to reunite the Pridelands lions with Scar's remaining loyalists. Known as the Outsiders, Mufasa: The Lion King may have already laid the groundwork for her role in any potential new films. Notably, Kiara was Simba and Nala's only daughter in that film, influencing the film's approach to Simba as a well-meaning but overbearing father. Simba was extremely protective of Kiara, to the point where his distrust of the young lion Outsider Kovu risked reigniting conflict in the Pridelands.

Simba and Nala's son would only become an established concept years later The Lion King II: Simba's Pride. Kion was the central focus of The Lion Guarda Disney Junior television series that retroactively filled in the gaps in The Lion King II and gave Simba's son a prominent role in protecting the Pridelands as leader of the titular group. The popularity of the cartoon explains Kion's presence at the end of Mufasa: The Lion King and sets the stage for the character to play a more important role in the follow-ups to Mufasa: The Lion King.

How Simba and Nala's son in The Lion King 2 would change the story of Simba's Pride

A new version of The Lion King II It would probably make Kion an important character

The plot to The Lion King II: Simba's Pride works within the context of The Lion Guardwhich included cameos from Kiara, Kovu, and other important characters from The Lion King II. However, its existence would likely add new layers to the potential conflict between the lions of the Pridelands and the Outsiders. The threat posed by Zira to Kion could give Simba and Kiara more reason to doubt Kovu's intentions. This could give Simba greater justification to fear the Outsiders, especially if Kovu's headstrong personality The Lion Guard involves him and his friends in the conflict.

While The Lion Guard introduced elements such as the supernatural roar that were ignored by other versions of The Lion KingKion could try to be a protector of the Pridelands and be suspicious of Kovu's intentions for his sister. The potential film could incorporate Kion's rivalry with Kovy's sister Vitani from The Lion Guard. Kion may even be targeted by members of Kovu's familysetting up a more dramatic version of Kovu's decision to abandon his own clan to help save Kiara's clan. This could make Kion an important figure in an adaptation of The Lion King II.

Will a live-action version of The Lion King 2 happen?

The Lion King II: Simba's Pride It would be a perfect place to take the franchise forward

The Lion King II: Simba's Pride remains a fan favorite of Walt Disney Animation's direct-to-video sequels, making it an ideal story to adapt for any potential sequel. Mufasa: The Lion King. The new characters and different perspective on established heroes like Simba could give the film a compelling edge, with characters like Kion, giving him enough potential new directions to explore to justify a feature-length expansion. However, no continuation Mufasa: The Lion King was announced at the time of this writing, and the film's mixed reception may prevent a sequel from seeing the light of day.

Before Mufasa: The Lion Kingthe most recent sequel to a modern Disney remake was Maleficent: Mistress of Evil in 2019. Given that The Lion King also premiered in 2019, it may be some time before audiences see a sequel to Mufasa: The Lion King even if there is one. The addition of Kion to any potential sequel is an interesting prospectas it could force filmmakers to diverge more seriously from the source material than other remakes. If there is a sequel Mufasa: The Lion Kingthen Lion King II: Simba's Pride could be ideal.