(Updated 11/08/2024)
Disney's "live-action" remake of THE LION KING, released in 2019, was a hit for the studio. (It was also created with cutting-edge CG animation, with only one or two "real" shots present in the movie — so it's really an animated movie, even if it is sometimes described as live-action.)
Now Disney is about to release a prequel that will explore the story of Mufasa. The studio recruited an award-winning director to follow THE LION KING remake director Jon Favreau.
This new "live-action" Lion King movie will tell the story of the rise of one of the great kings of the Pride Lands. We'll see the development of the rivalry between Mufasa and Scar, and learn of the events that led up to the birth of Simba. Here's everything you need to know about MUFASA: THE LION KING, including the final trailer.
What Is the Release Date for Mufasa: The Lion King?
Disney will release MUFASA: THE LION KING in movie theaters on December 20, 2024.
Watch the New Trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King
This final trailer for MUFASA goes all in to sell the movie's bright colors and family-friendly sense of humor. There's also some of the establishment of the friendship between Mufasa and Scar, and the setup for their story, but most of the trailer's energy is committed to being fun. And it's great!
What's the Plot of Mufasa: The Lion King?
We only know the MUFASA plot in very broad strokes right now. We know that the movie will be presented with a framing story in which the mandrill shaman Rafiki tells Kiara, the daughter of Simba and Nala, the history of her grandfather's journey. Timon and Pumbaa will be on hand to add their own details and/or distractions to the story. Most of the time, however, will be spent with the flashback to Mufasa and Scar's early years."
Actor Kelvin Harrison Jr., who voices Scar, said in April 2023 that we will "get a backstory to Scar. he is hilarious. He is still very very spicy. He is also the sweetest young lion you'll ever meet." So take that as you will!
Director Barry Jenkins told the New York Times, "There’s this character who we know of as inherently great or inherently royal, and we get to really go in and explore how this person came to be. We’re also looking at what makes some people good and others evil, and how people aren’t fundamentally one or the other."
Is Mufasa a Remake of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride?
Based on Disney's statements so far, it seems that MUFASA has nothing to do with THE LION KING II: SIMBA'S PRIDE. That direct-to-video sequel was released in 1998, and introduced Simba and Nala's daughter Kiara. Despite that character connection, we do not expect any aspects of SIMBA'S PRIDE to inform MUFASA.
What's the Cast of Mufasa: The Lion King?
More talent will likely be revealed over the summer, but so far we know of a handful of core actors who are returning for MUFASA from THE LION KING, and two new additions who take over key roles.
Aaron Pierre ("The Underground Railroad," "Krypton") voices Mufasa and, as mentioned, Kelvin Harrison Jr. (ELVIS, THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO SEVEN) lends his voice to Scar. They take over the roles from James Earl Jones and Chiwetel Ejiofor, respectively.
Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, and John Kani return as Pumbaa, Timon, and Rafiki, respectively. And while we know that Kiara is in the movie, we do not know who voices her.
Who Directed Mufasa: The Lion King?
The most surprising aspect of MUFASA is the director: It's Barry Jenkins, whose movie MOONLIGHT won the Best Picture Oscar in 2017. Jenkins was announced as the MUFASA director in 2020, and he has been working on the movie ever since. He's working from a script by Jeff Nathanson, who also wrote THE LION KING remake.
"Jeff Nathanson, who wrote the script, did a great job of really exploring how people become great," Barry Jenkins said in 2022. And while we don't have too many specifics yet, there are definitely songs in the movie. "Please expect musical numbers," Jenkins said. "Really wonderful musical numbers, I'd say."
MUFASA: THE LION KING opens on December 20.
All images courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures.