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Summary
- Mufasa: The Lion King is a confirmed live-action prequel that will explore Mufasa's backstory, including his relationship with Scar and how he became king.
- The release date for Mufasa: The Lion King is set for December 20, 2024, and it will have a theatrical release.
- The cast includes new voice actors playing younger versions of characters, with Aaron Pierre as young Mufasa and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as the younger Scar. Timon and Pumbaa will narrate the movie, voiced by Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner.
Mufasa: The Lion King will continue the beloved Disney 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 of The Lion King, Oscar winner Barry Jenkins will direct this Mufasa prequel that will look at 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 beloved 1994 animated classic, The Lion King became Disney's biggest remake yet when it debuted in 2019, grossing $1.6 billion worldwide despite mixed reviews, so it wasn't surprising that Disney is continuing the franchise. Disney's live-action remakes have been a huge hit for the studio over the past decade, but Mufasa: The Lion King marks the first time the House of Mouse has created an original movie based on one.
6 Reasons Mufasa’s Prequel Will Be Better Than The Live-Action Lion King
Mufasa: The Lion King will explore his origins as king of the Pride Lands and his relationship with Scar, and it could be better than the 2019 remake.
Latest Mufasa: The Lion King News
A Trailer Is Revealed For The Prequel
Perhaps most intriguing of all, the trailer also features new locations, such as a snowy environment not yet seen in the Lion King franchise.
With the prequel's release date still a ways away, the latest news sees the first trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King released by Disney. The exciting teaser not only shows off the impressive visuals of the upcoming live-action movie, but also the swelling score. The trailer reveals Mufasa's non-royal upbringing and also teases a few beloved side characters like Timon and Pumbaa. Perhaps most intriguing of all, the trailer also features new locations, such as a snowy environment not yet seen in the Lion King franchise. While not confirmed, there will likely be more trailers before the movie's December release date.
Mufasa: The Lion King Release Date
The Live-Action Lion King Prequel Is Coming Out In 2024
The release date for Mufasa: The Lion King has been set for December 20, 2024, by Disney. A release date of July 5th was originally announced alongside several other upcoming Disney movies at the 2022 Disney Expo. However, this date was pushed back in November 2023.
2019's The Lion King was released theatrically but is currently available to stream on Disney+
Mufasa: The Lion King Cast
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 animated 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 a Slave) did so in the remake, Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Chevalier) will take over as the younger Scar for the prequel.
Though Mufasa: The Lion King takes place mostly before the events of The Lion King, Timon and Pumbaa will narrate the movie with Seth Rogen (Knocked Up) and Billy Eichner (Bros) returning to voice them. John Kani (Murder Mystery) is also confirmed to be returning as Rafiki while director Barry Jenkins has hinted that there will be other familiar characters featured in the live-action Lion King prequel.
The known cast of Mufasa: The Lion King includes:
|
Actor |
Mufasa: The Lion King Role |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Aaron Pierre |
Mufasa |
|
|
Kelvin Harrison Jr. |
Scar |
|
|
John Kani |
Rafiki |
|
|
Seth Rogen |
Pumbaa |
|
|
Billy Eichner |
Timon |
|
Mufasa: The Lion King Story Details
The Prequel Will Tell Mufasa's Origin Story
Though specific details of the plot of the live-action Lion King prequel aren't known, it will be focused on Mufasa's backstory. Any such story would likely include his early life at Pride Rock, including his relationship with Scar and how the two brothers became great rivals, as well as perhaps further fleshing out the story of how Scar gets his scar. With the reveal of Scar being the "sweetest young lion" by Harrison, the audience is sure to be privy to a look at his path to villainy as well. It can also show Mufasa developing a relationship with Sarabi, and presumably him being crowned King.
The new Lion King movie is not just a prequel according to director Barry Jenkins, and it has been suggested that the movie's story will be told similarly to The Godfather Part II's, with the two timelines being told parallel to each other. This means that Mufasa: The Lion King could give a glimpse at Simba's new position as king of Pride Rock while also showing how his father ascended to that role.
Mufasa: The Lion King Trailer
Catch The First Glimpses Of The Prequel Below
Ahead of the movie's December release date, Disney has revealed the first trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King, and it's so much more than a simple prequel. Told through flashback narration, the teaser reveals Mufasa's humble beginnings and teases his lengthy journey to reach the Pridelands seen in The Lion King. Along the way, Mufasa must cross various environs including a snowy region not previously seen in the franchise. The entire trailer is accentuated by the swelling score that promises to continue the Disney series' reputation for amazing music.
Mufasa: The Lion King
Mufasa: The Lion King is a prequel to the live-action remake of the original Disney animated film, The Lion King. The film will follow Mufasa in his early days; further plot details are currently under wraps. The film will likely explore Mufasa and Scar's relationship and how it became as strained as it did. In the film, Timon and Pumba will return, with Billy Eicher and Seth Rogen reprising their roles.
- Director
- Barry Jenkins
- Release Date
- December 20, 2024
- Distributor(s)
- Disney
- Writers
- Jeff Nathanson
- Cast
- Seth Rogen , Billy Eichner , Kelvin Harrison Jr. , Aaron Pierre , John Kani
- Main Genre
- Adventure
-
Mufasa: The Lion King Further News & Info
Disney's Lion King Prequel Movie Moves To New 2024 Release Date - How The Lion King Prequel Will Change Mufasa Teased By Disney Movie Star
- The Lion King Prequel Image Reveals Young Mufasa Looking Over Pride Lands In Live-Action
- Mufasa Is Both A Lion King Prequel & Sequel, Explains Director
- “Nothing Soulless About The Lion King”: Mufasa Director Barry Jenkins Responds To Criticism Of Disney Prequel
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Mufasa: The Lion King
- Director:
- Barry Jenkins
- Cast:
- Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Aaron Pierre, John Kani
- Writers:
- Jeff Nathanson
- Rating:
- Not Yet Rated
- Main Genre:
- Adventure
- Genres:
- Action, Animation, Adventure
- Franchise:
- Disney
- Sequel:
- The Lion King (2019)
- Cinematographer:
- James Laxton
- Producer:
- Mark Ceryak, Adele Romanski
- Production Company:
- Fairview Entertainment, Walt Disney Pictures
- Main Characters :
- Mufasa, Timon, Pumba, Rafiki, Scar
- Distributor :
- Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Disney+
- Assistant Director :
- Shawn Pipkin
- Summary:
-
Mufasa: The Lion King is a prequel to the live-action remake of the original Disney animated film, The Lion King. The film will follow Mufasa in his early days, further plot details are currently kept under wraps. The film will likely explore the reasons between Mufasa and Scar's relationship and how it became as strained as it did. Timon and Pumba will also return in the film, with Billy Eicher and Seth Rogen reprising their roles.
- Release Date:
- 2024-12-20
- Distributor(s):
- Disney
