‘Mufasa: The Lion King’.Photo:Disney
Disney
Walt Disney Studios' classicThe Lion Kingwas released 30 years ago on June 24, 1994. Three decades later, the much-anticipated release ofMufasa: The Lion King— an animated musical drama that is a prequel to the 2019 adaptation of the timeless classic — is mere months away.
Mufasa: The Lion Kingwill take viewers through Mufasa’s origin story, his friendships, relationships and pivotal events that led to his eventual reign as king of the Pride Lands.
From the esteemed director ofMoonlight, AftersunandIf Beale Street Could Talk, Barry Jenkins and returning writer from the 2019 adaptation, Jeff Nathanson,Mufasawill bring forth new layers to the story while honoring the enduring legacy.
Among the ensemble cast of familiar faces areBeyoncéand her daughter,Blue Ivy Carter, which Jenkins noted has added adynamic element to a film rooted in family values.
“[Watching Beyoncé], both on the screen and behind the screen, get to be a mother — and how that affected and impacted for the better the work that we were all doing — was just really awesome," Jenkins told PEOPLE in April 2024.
From the release date to the rest of the cast, here’s everything to know about the musical dramaMufasa: The Lion King.
What isMufasa: The Lion Kingabout?
Rafiki Mufasa in Disney Mufasa the lion king.Disney
“What you’ll learn from the story is that Mufasa is who he is … because of the family and the friends that he has,” Jenkins said at Disney’s D23 Expo in 2022. “And so I saw myself in that. I thought: ‘This is a really beautiful story to tell.’ "
Who is in the cast ofMufasa: The Lion King?
Beyonce and Blue Ivy Carter at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards on February 4, 2024.Francis Specker/CBS/Getty
Francis Specker/CBS/Getty
The upcoming film has a star-studded cast, with many returning from the 2019 adaptation.Donald Glover,Seth Rogen,Billy Eichner, John Kani and Beyoncé will reprise their roles as Simba, Pumbaa, Timon, Rafiki and Nala, respectively. Joining them are new cast members such as Aaron Pierre as young Mufasa, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as young Scar, Tiffany Boone as Sarabi, Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros,Thandiwe Newtonas Eshe, Lennie James as Obasi and Blue Ivy making her feature film debut as Kiara.
Themother-daughter duoof Beyoncé and Blue Ivy brings a unique dynamic to the film, as the 12-year-old recently joined her motheras a backup danceron Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour and was featured in her Grammy-winning “Brown Skin Girl” music video.
“I feel like Blue grew quite a bit over the course of that tour,” Jenkins told PEOPLE in April 2024. “The movie is kind of like this snapshot, this time capsule of a moment in their lives that I think is really beautiful. And it absolutelyworked for the film.”
What will be on the soundtrack ofMufasa: The Lion King?
‘Mufasa: The Lion King’.Disney
“The Lion Kinghas an incredible musical legacy with music from some of the greatest songwriters around, and I’m humbled and proud to be a part of it,” Miranda said in astatement. “It’s been a joy working alongside Barry Jenkins to bring Mufasa’s story to life, and we can’t wait for audiences to experience this film in theaters.”
The soundtrack will be released on Dec. 13, and it will feature seven new songs, according to what Miranda toldAssociated Press.
When doesMufasa: The Lion Kingcome out?
Mufasa is set to hit theaters on Dec. 20, 2024.
Is there a trailer forMufasa: The Lion King?
Walt Disney Studios released thefirst trailerfor Mufasa on April 29. The trailer opens with narration from Rafiki as a lion cub gazes at his reflection in a raindrop, which the mandrill shaman introduces as Mufasa: “Born without a drop of nobility in his blood — a lion who would change our lives forever.”
Set to the backdrop of Ledo M’s vocals in the original “Circle of Life,” the trailer features clips of giraffes, lions, elephants and a young Mufasa throughout the Pride Lands expanse — with some glimpses of a less savannahian landscape of snow and ice. While Rafiki’s narration is the only voice featured in the trailer, the clips hint at a myriad of action and adventure in the forthcoming film.
The film’ssecond trailerwas released on Aug. 10,revealing more charactersand hints at the plot — including the brotherhood of Mufasa and Scar.
source: people.com
