Mufasa: The Lion King

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Mufasa: The Lion King
Mufasa The Lion King Movie 2024.jpeg
Teaser poster
Directed by Barry Jenkins
Screenplay by Jeff Nathanson
Based on
Disney's The Lion King
by
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography James Laxton
Edited by Joi McMillon
Music by
Production
companies
Distributed by Walt Disney Studios
Motion Pictures
Release date
  • December 20, 2024 (2024-12-20)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

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. The film is photorealistic animated and both a prequel and sequel to the 2019 adaptation of the 1994 film The Lion King . [1] Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, John Kani and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reprise their roles from the remake with Tiffany Boone replacing Alfre Woodard. New cast members include Jasper Simon as Young Kovu while Options Theatre Company and Harrow's star, Ben Peel doing both speaking and singing voices as Young Adult Kovu respectively, Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Lennie James, with another Options Theatre Company and Dreary Lane star, Skye Hunt doing both speaking and singing voices as Young Adult Kiara respectively and Knowles-Carter's daughter Blue Ivy Carter in her feature film debut as Young Kiara. [2]

Contents

Development on a prequel to The Lion King was confirmed in September 2020, with Jenkins attached to direct and Nathanson finishing a 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. The film was officially announced when its official title was revealed in September 2022 at the 2022 D23 Expo announcement. Production on the 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, [3] by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Premise

The prequel is about the rise of one of the greatest kings of the Pride Lands, goes back to the African savannah where Rafiki tells Kiara — daughter of Simba and Nala — the story of her grandfather Mufasa while Timon and Pumbaa add color commentary. Meanwhile the Outlanders led by an evil lioness, Zira using Kovu's friendship with Kiara to get her vengeance towards Simba for killing his arch evil uncle, Scar but Kovu abandon his mother's plot and Scar's hope wishes to become the future king of the Pride Lands in order to stop Zira from hurting Kiara and Simba because of his and Kiara's love for each other after Zira's death, Kovu was set to become the future king consort of the Pride Lands with Kiara as his mate and wife since Kiara is the Pride Lands' current future Queen and heir ruler.

Voice cast

Additionally, Braelyn Rankins , Theo Somolu, Joanna Jones, Folake Olowofoyeku, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, Abdul Salis, and Dominique Jennings have been cast.

Production

Development

In September 2020, it was announced that a follow-up film to the live-action-styled CGI photorealistic 2019 remake of The Lion King (1994) was in development, with Barry Jenkins attached to direct. [4] Reports indicated that the project would have a story centered on Mufasa during his formative years, with additional scenes focusing on the events after the first film; comparing the movie to a similar structure as The Godfather Part II (1974). [5] By this point, Jeff Nathanson, the previous installment's screenwriter, had completed a draft of the script. [6] [7] The film was officially announced, with the title of Mufasa: The Lion King at the 2022 D23 Expo. [8]

On December 13, 2023, the Hollywood Handle reported that the film's plot would involve Rafiki telling the story of Mufasa to his granddaughter, Kiara, marking the character's first on-screen appearance in an animated feature film since The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998), the direct-to-video sequel to the original animated film. [9] In regards on how much his 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. [10]

Casting

In August 2021, Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. were cast as the voices of young Mufasa and Scar, respectively. [11] During an interview with Fandango in April 2023 about his film Chevalier (2022), Harrison Jr. confirmed that the film will explore Scar's backstory, portraying him in a "hilarious and very, very spicy" way and expressing interest in how the young and sweet Scar's relationship with his brother Mufasa evolves throughout the film. [12] By September 2022, it was revealed that Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, and John Kani will reprise their roles as Pumbaa, Timon, and Rafiki, respectively. [13] [14]

In April 2024, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Donald Glover were confirmed to reprise their roles as Nala and Simba respectively, with Blue Ivy Carter (in her feature film debut) doing both speaking and singing voices as Young Kiara, Tiffany Boone (replacing Alfre Woodard), Kagiso Lediga, Preston Nyman (replacing John Oliver), Jasper Simon, Ben Peel, Skye Hunt, 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. [2] Jenkins considered to cast Blue Ivy as Young Kiara since he heard the 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 a dancer in a 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 the film showcasing some type of "time capsule". [15] Meanwhile Options Theatre Company Ambassadors and actors, Ben Peel and Skye Hunt have been signed on for the both speaking and singing voices of Young Adult Kovu and Kiara respectively since they're both born between February 27th and October 8th in 1995 and grew up watching the 1998 sequel to the 1994 original film, The Lion King II: Simba's Pride. [16]

Visual effects

In September 2022, at D23, the first footage was played exclusively to attendees, thus revealing that production had been underway. [8] [13] [14] Moving Picture Company is returning to provide the visual effects. [17] In July 2023, production on the film slowed down due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. [18]

Music

In June 2022, Nicholas Britell was hired to serve as composer for the score on the film's soundtrack, after having previously collaborated with Jenkins on various projects. [19] In September 2022, it was announced that Hans Zimmer and Pharrell Williams would return for the film, [20] and in April 2024, it was announced that Lin-Manuel Miranda would write the songs for the film including six original songs from the 1998 sequel, Simba's Pride 1. He lives in you (from the end credit of the 2019 film) 2. We are One 3. My Lullaby 4. Upendi 5. One of us 6. Love will find a way. [2] Jenkins approached Miranda to work on the film due to keeping in touch since Jenkins almost cast Miranda in his film If Beale Street Could Talk (2018). [10] Mark Mancina would also co-produce the songs with Miranda, with Lebo M providing additional vocals and performances. [2] In June 2024, it's revealed that Donald Glover and Blue Ivy Carter performed a duet together by singing Cam Clarke and Charity Savoy's song "We are One", then the entire ensemble of Mufasa: The Lion King will be singing the song that the entire ensemble of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride "One of Us" then Options Theatre Company Ambassadors, Skye Hunt and Ben Peel performed a duet song together by singing Liz Calaway and Gene Miller favourite song "Love will find a way".

Marketing

During the D23, an exclusive preview for the film was shown to those who attended, which revealed that Mufasa was an orphaned cub. The preview also revealed that Rafiki and Timon will tell stories about Mufasa's past and his way to becoming king. [21] Barry Jenkins also appeared during The Walt Disney Studios' presentation of their 2024 theatrical slate at CinemaCon on April 11, 2024, to promote the film, where he remarked: "You are probably wondering... what is the director of Moonlight (2016) doing talking to me about an 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 god. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life, and I'm so glad I made this picture." [22]

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 a 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 the film in some way. [23] The trailer received a mixed reception, with some deeming the film as "unnecessary" and a "soulless prequel to a 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. A most potent vessel for communal empathy." [24]

Release

Mufasa: The Lion King is scheduled to be released on December 20, 2024. [3] It was previously scheduled for release on July 5, 2024, but was delayed to its current date due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. [13] [14]

Related Research Articles

<i>The Lion King</i> 1994 American animated musical drama film

The Lion King is a 1994 American animated musical coming-of-age drama film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. The film was directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff and produced by Don Hahn, from a screenplay written by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, and Linda Woolverton. The film features an ensemble voice cast that includes Matthew Broderick, Moira Kelly, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin, Rowan Atkinson, Niketa Calame, and Robert Guillaume. Its original songs were written by composer Elton John and lyricist Tim Rice, with a score by Hans Zimmer. Inspired by African wildlife, the story is modelled primarily on William Shakespeare's stage play Hamlet with some influence from the Biblical stories of Joseph and Moses, and follows a young heir apparent who is forced to flee after his uncle kills his father and usurps the throne. After growing up in exile, the rightful king returns to challenge the usurper and end his tyrannical rule over the kingdom.

<i>The Lion King II: Simbas Pride</i> 1998 animated film

The Lion King II: Simba's Pride is a 1998 American animated direct-to-video musical drama film produced by Walt Disney Video Premiere. It is the sequel to Disney's 1994 animated film, The Lion King, with its plot influenced by William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and the second installment in The Lion King trilogy. According to director Darrell Rooney, the final draft gradually became a variation of Romeo and Juliet.

<i>The Lion King 1½</i> 2004 animated Disney film

The Lion King 1½ is a 2004 American animated direct-to-video musical comedy film produced by DisneyToon Studios and released direct to video on February 10, 2004. The third and final installment released in the original Lion King trilogy, it is based on The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa and serves as an origin story for the meerkat/warthog duo Timon and Pumbaa while the film is also set within the events of The Lion King (1994). A majority of the voice cast from the first film returns to reprise their roles, including Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella as the voices of Timon and Pumbaa, respectively. The plot of the movie is inspired by Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, a tragicomedy that tells the story of Hamlet from the point of view of two minor characters. The Lion King 1½ received generally positive reviews from critics.

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Simba is a fictional character in Disney's The Lion King franchise. First appearing as a lion cub in The Lion King (1994), the character flees his homeland when his father, King Mufasa, is killed by his treacherous uncle, Scar. Several years later, Simba returns home as an adult to reconcile his childhood trauma, confront Scar, and reclaim his rightful place as King of the Pride Lands. He subsequently appears in the sequels The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998) and The Lion King 1½ (2004). Simba was originally voiced by actors Matthew Broderick and Jonathan Taylor Thomas as an adult and cub, respectively; various actors have voiced the character in related media.

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Nala (<i>The Lion King</i>) Fictional character from The Lion King franchise

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References

  1. ↑ Geisinger, Gabriella (September 30, 2020). "The Lion King 2 has been confirmed – here's everything you need to know". Digital Spy . Archived from the original on December 26, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Disney Debuts First Teaser Trailer for 'Mufasa: The Lion King'". The Walt Disney Company . April 29, 2024. Archived from the original on April 29, 2024. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  3. 1 2 Murphy, J. Kim (November 10, 2023). "Marvel Delays 'Deadpool 3,' 'Captain America 4' and 'Thunderbolts' in Post-Strike Disney Release Shake-Up". Variety. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  4. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (September 29, 2020). "'The Lion King' Followup Set With 'Moonlight' Director Barry Jenkins To Helm For Walt Disney Studios". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  5. ↑ Sandell, Rachel (March 18, 2022). "The Lion King II: Simba's Pride Is an Underrated Disney Sequel". Collider. Archived from the original on March 19, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  6. ↑ Rubin, Rebecca; Lang, Brent (September 29, 2020). "'The Lion King' Follow-Up in the Works With Director Barry Jenkins". Variety. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  7. ↑ Couch, Aaron; Kits, Borys (September 29, 2020). "'Lion King' Prequel in the Works with Director Barry Jenkins". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  8. 1 2 Leston, Ryan (September 9, 2022). "Mufasa: The Lion King Announced at D23". IGN .
  9. ↑ Schreur, Brandon (December 14, 2023). "Mufasa: The Lion King Reveals New Plot Details for Disney Spin-off". yahoo.com . Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  10. 1 2 Murray, Iana (April 29, 2024). "Mufasa: The Lion King Trailer Interview: Barry Jenkins On Blue Ivy Carter, The New Songs, And More". Empire. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  11. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (August 26, 2021). "'The Lion King' Prequel: Kelvin Harrison Jr. & Aaron Pierre To Lead Cast For Disney & Barry Jenkins". Deadline. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  12. ↑ @Fandango (April 24, 2023). "We caught up with #Chevalier star Kelvin Harrison Jr., who shared some new info about his upcoming role of Scar in #TheLionKing prequel #Mufasa. Don't miss him in theaters now in 'Chevalier'! 🎟's http://fandan.co/Chevalier" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2023– via Twitter.
  13. 1 2 3 Chapman, Wilson (September 9, 2022). "'Lion King' Prequel Gets Official Title, Footage Shown at D23". Variety. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  14. 1 2 3 Busch, Jenna (September 9, 2022). "Mufasa: The Lion King Footage Description: Barry Jenkins Completes The Circle Of Life [D23]". /Film. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  15. ↑ Romano, Nick (April 29, 2024). "Blue Ivy joins mom Beyoncé as Simba and Nala's daughter in Mufasa — watch the first trailer". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 29, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  16. ↑
  17. ↑ "Filmography". MPC Film. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  18. ↑ Bowden, George; Glynn, Paul (July 14, 2023). "Which movies and TV shows are impacted by the Hollywood strike?". BBC . Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  19. ↑ Ridgley, Charlie (June 21, 2022). "The Lion King Prequel Adds Succession, Star Wars: Andor Composer". ComicBook.com . Paramount. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  20. ↑ Glynn, Jennifer (September 22, 2022). "'Mufasa' Prequel Director Barry Jenkins Reveals New Details on Live-Action Characters". Collider . Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  21. ↑ Chapman, Wilson (September 9, 2022). "'Lion King' Prequel Gets Official Title, Footage Shown at D23". Variety. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  22. ↑ Rubin, Rebecca (April 11, 2024). "'Lion King' Prequel 'Mufasa' Debuts Majestic CinemaCon Trailer Filled With Stampeding Animals and Dazzling Sahara Setting". Variety. Archived from the original on April 12, 2024.
  23. ↑ Nordyke, Kimberly (April 29, 2024). "'Mufasa: The Lion King': First Trailer Released by Disney". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on April 29, 2024. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  24. ↑ Gajewski, Ryan (April 30, 2024). "Barry Jenkins Responds to Criticism That 'Mufasa: The Lion King' Is Part of "Soulless Machine"". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024.
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