We’re Returning to Pride Rock: What We Know About Disney’s ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ Live-Action Prequel”
The circle of life continues with Disney revisiting the world of The Lion King, and some familiar voices are returning.
Nearly half a decade after the release of the original live-action remake of The Lion King, which featured a star-studded cast including James Earl Jones, Donald Glover, and Beyoncé, Disney is venturing back to Pride Rock in its new prequel, titled Mufasa: The Lion King.
First unveiled at the D23 Expo in 2022, Mufasa: The Lion King is a prequel that delves into the backstory of Mufasa, the lion king who many admired, especially his son Simba. Despite its release scheduled for 2024, Disney has kept tight wraps on this live-action prequel, as is their tradition.
Nonetheless, we have some tidbits about the plot. It will be told in both past and present timelines, and director Barry Jenkins has hinted at the return of some beloved characters, including Timon and Pumbaa, voiced by Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen, respectively.
While we await the first trailer, here’s what we currently know about Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King.
When does Mufasa: The Lion King release? Mufasa: The Lion King is set to premiere on July 5, 2024.
How can you watch Mufasa: The Lion King? Initially, you’ll be able to watch Mufasa: The Lion King in theaters. However, it’s highly likely that it will become available on Disney+ after its cinematic debut.
Is there a trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King? Regrettably, there are no official trailers for Mufasa: The Lion King at this time. A sneak peek was shown to attendees at the D23 Expo in 2022, but no teaser or trailer has been publicly released yet.
Who is in the cast of Mufasa: The Lion King? While only a limited number of cast members have been announced, here’s who you can expect to see:
- Aaron Pierre as Mufasa: Pierre is expected to voice a younger version of the iconic lion king.
- Seth Rogen as Pumbaa: Everyone’s favorite warthog and comic relief is back, voiced by Rogen.
- Billy Eichner as Timon: Eichner reprises his role as the witty meerkat Timon.
- John Kani as Rafiki: Rafiki, the wise mandrill, is portrayed by Kani, returning from the original.
- Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka: Taka, also known as Scar, Mufasa’s brother and the eventual antagonist, is voiced by Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Is James Earl Jones returning for Mufasa: The Lion King? It’s unclear whether James Earl Jones, who voiced Mufasa in both the original and live-action The Lion King, will return for Mufasa: The Lion King. However, Aaron Pierre has been cast as a younger Mufasa, so Jones may not reprise his role.
Is Mufasa: The Lion King a prequel to The Lion King? Indeed, Mufasa: The Lion King serves as a prequel to Disney’s 2019 live-action The Lion King. The movie delves into Mufasa’s journey to becoming king, with a narrative spanning past and present. While the precise plot details remain under wraps, the past timeline explores Mufasa and Taka’s backstory, and the present timeline involves Rafiki, Timon, and Pumbaa recounting Mufasa’s history.
Director Barry Jenkins has hinted at the return of familiar characters, offering a fresh perspective on their origins. While it’s a prequel, the movie maintains the same characters but reveals how they came to be who they are.
Are any characters from the live-action The Lion King returning? Yes, some familiar voices from the 2019 live-action version will return. Billy Eichner will voice Timon, Seth Rogen will voice Pumbaa, and John Kani will voice Rafiki.
The involvement of characters like Simba, Nala, and Zazu, as well as their original voice actors—Donald Glover, Beyoncé, and John Oliver—remains uncertain.
What is Mufasa: The Lion King about? While the plot remains closely guarded, it’s known that the movie is a prequel focused on Mufasa’s history and his journey to becoming the lion king we know from The Lion King. The narrative unfolds in two distinct timeframes: the past explores Mufasa and Taka’s backstory, while the present features Rafiki, Timon, and Pumbaa retelling Mufasa’s history.
Director Barry Jenkins has promised captivating musical numbers, following the tradition of iconic songs associated with The Lion King. The music for the prequel will be composed by Hans Zimmer, Pharrell Williams, and Nicholas Britell.
Who is directing Mufasa: The Lion King? Barry Jenkins, known for directing The Underground Railroad (2021) and Moonlight (2016), is at the helm of Mufasa: The Lion King. Jon Favreau, who directed The Lion King (2019), is not involved in this project.
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Nala, Scar, Mufasa, Timon, Pumbaa