Mufasa: The Lion King will continue Disney’s beloved live-action Lion King franchise with a prequel about the rise of Mufasa and how he became the powerful and wise ruler who taught Simba everything he knew. Following the success of Jon Favreau’s 2019 live-action remake The Lion KingOscar winner Barry Jenkins will direct this Mufasa prequel that will cover Simba’s father before he became king of Pride Rock, as well as the beginning of his intense relationship with his brother Scar.
Serving as a live-action version of the 1994 animated classic, The Lion King became Disney’s biggest remake when it debuted in 2019, grossing $1.6 billion worldwide despite mixed reviews, so it was no surprise that Disney continued the franchise. Disney’s live-action remakes have been a huge success for the studio over the past decade, but Mufasa: The Lion King marks the first time the House of Mouse has created an original film based on one.
Latest Mufasa: Lion King News
Disney reveals the final trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King
With just a few weeks left until the film’s arrival, the latest news sees Disney releasing the final trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King. The latest provocation features some characters who are important to the story, including Rafiki, Zazu, and Simba’s mother Sarabi. As with previous previews, the trailer introduces Mufasa and Scar’s (then known as Taka) bond as adopted brothers and their quest to forge their new kingdom. The teaser also hints at the engaging storytelling device that sees Rafiki telling the story to a young Simba. (as well as Timon and Pumbaa).
Mufasa: The Lion King release date
The Lion King live-action prequel will be released in late 2024
The release date for Mufasa: The Lion King he was scheduled for December 20, 2024from Disney. The July 5th release date was originally announced alongside several other Disney films at the 2022 D23 expo. However, this date has been postponed to November 2023.
Mufasa: Lion King cast details
A stacked voice cast stars in The Lion King prequel
The cast of Mufasa: The Lion King will see some new voice actors playing younger versions of characters from The Lion King. While James Earl Jones (Star Wars) played Mufasa in both the original animation The Lion King and its live-action remake, The role of young Mufasa will be passed on to Aaron Pierre (Old). Likewise, after Jeremy Irons (The Borgias) played Scar in the original and Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 years of slavery) did this in the remake, Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Knight) will take on the role of younger Scar in the prequel.
However Mufasa: The Lion King occurs mainly before the events of The Lion King, Timon and Pumbaa will narrate the film with Seth Rogen (Knocked out) and Billy Eichner (Brothers) returning to express them. John Kani (Murder Mystery) It is also confirmed that he will return as Rafiki. Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal) will play the villainous role of Kiros, the leader of a pride of white lions.
The known cast Mufasa: The Lion King includes:
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Actor |
Mufasa: the role of the Lion King |
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|---|---|---|
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Aaron Pierre/Braelyn Rankins |
Mufasa |
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Kelvin Harrison Jr./Theo Somolu |
Scar/Taka |
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John Kani/Kagiso Lediga |
Rafiki |
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Seth Rogen |
Pumbaa |
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Billy Eichner |
Timon |
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Donald Glover |
Simba |
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Mads Mikkelsen |
Kiros |
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Thandiwe Newton |
Eshe |
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Tiffany Boone |
Sarabi |
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Lennie James |
Obasi |
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Beyoncé Knowles-Carter |
Nala |
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Blue Ivy Carter |
Kiara |
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Preston Nyman |
Zazu |
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Keith David |
Masego |
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Anika Noni Rosa |
Sharpen |
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Mufasa: details of the Lion King story
The prequel will tell the story of Mufasa’s origin
The prequel is set to focus into Mufasa’s story, exploring their relationship with scar and how the two brothers became great rivals. With the reveal of Scar as Harrison’s “sweetest young lion,” audiences are sure to be privy to his path to villainy as well. It could also show Mufasa developing a relationship with Sarabi and, presumably, him being crowned king..
The new Lion King the film is not just a prequel according to director Barry Jenkins, and it has been suggested that the film’s story will be told in a similar way to The Godfather Part II‘s, with the two timelines being told in parallel. This means that Mufasa: The Lion King could give insight into Simba’s new position as king of Pride Rock, while also showing how his father ascended to that role.
Mufasa: The Lion King Trailers
See the first glimpses of the prequel below
Ahead of the film’s December release date, Disney revealed the first trailer for Mufasa: The Lion Kingand it is much more than a simple prequel. Told through flashback narration, The teaser reveals Mufasa’s humble origins and teases his long journey to reach the Pridelands seen in The Lion King. Along the way, Mufasa must traverse various environments, including a snowy region never before seen in the franchise. The entire trailer is accented by the soaring soundtrack that promises to continue the Disney series’ reputation for incredible music.
After the first teaser was released, Disney revealed the full trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King at the D23 fan expo in August 2024. The lengthy trailer introduces a young, orphaned Mufasa as he is taken in by the parents of Taka, his adopted brother, who will eventually become Scar. It’s clear that the relationship between the two will be the crux of the story and will help explain why Scar became the villain in the future, as well as how Mufasa eventually became king.
With just a few weeks left until the film arrives, Disney has released the ending trailer to Mufasa: The Lion King in November 2024. As with previous trailers, the final teaser reveals the bond between adopted brothers Mufasa and Taka (later Scar) and shows their harrowing journey to forge their future kingdom. Meanwhile, the trailer also shows off many of Rafiki’s antics and even throws Simba’s mother, Sarabi, into the mix.