Mufasa: The Lion King
A prequel and sequel to the 2019 Lion King.
Mufasa: The Lion King is a 2024 American musical drama from Walt Disney Pictures, using photorealistic animation. It acts as both a prequel and a sequel to the 2019 remake of the 1994 animated film. Barry Jenkins directed from a script by Jeff Nathanson. The voice cast includes Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Donald Glover, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, and John Kani reprising their roles from the remake, with new additions Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Tiffany Boone, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Lennie James, Anika Noni Rose, and Blue Ivy Carter in her first feature film. The story follows Rafiki telling Simba and Nala’s cub, Kiara, about Mufasa’s past: how he met Scar and other allies, fought a rogue pride of white lions, and became king of the Pride Lands.
Development was confirmed in September 2020, with Jenkins attached to direct and Nathanson finishing a script draft. Pierre and Harrison were announced as voice cast in August 2021, with more casting from September 2022 to April 2024. The film’s official title was revealed at the September 2022 D23 Expo. Production slowed in July 2023 due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. The film is dedicated to James Earl Jones, who voiced Mufasa in the 1994 film and remake and died three months before release; his archived recording is used later in the film as a tribute.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Barry Jenkins
- Screenplay
- Jeff Nathanson
- Based On
- Disney's The Lion King · Irene Mecchi · Jonathan Roberts · Linda Woolverton
- Producer
- Adele Romanski / Mark Ceryak
- Cinematography
- James Laxton
- Editing
- Joi McMillon
- Music
- Dave Metzger (score)Original The Lion King themes by Hans Zimmer / Lin-Manuel Miranda (songs)
- Production Companies
- Walt Disney Pictures
- Distributor
- Walt Disney Studios / Motion Pictures
- Released
- 9 December 2024 · Dolby Theatre · 2024 · 12 · 20 · United States
- Runtime
- 118 minutes
- Country
- United States
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Development on a prequel to The Lion King was confirmed in September 2020, with Barry Jenkins attached to direct and Jeff Nathanson finishing a draft of the script. Aaron Pierre and Kelvin 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 title was revealed in September 2022 at the 2022 D23 Expo. Production slowed down in July 2023 due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. The film is dedicated to James Earl Jones, the voice of Mufasa in the 1994 film and remake, who died three months before the film's release; as a tribute, his archived recording is used later in the film.
Reader's Guide
Mufasa: The Lion King premiered on December 9, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, and was distributed in the United States by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures on December 20. The film received mixed reviews from critics who praised the visual effects, vocal performances, and Jenkins' direction but were critical of the screenplay. It grossed $723 million, making it the sixth-highest-grossing film of 2024. The film expands the Lion King mythology by detailing Mufasa's origins and his relationship with his adoptive brother Taka, who later becomes Scar. Its significance lies in bridging the narrative gap between the 2019 remake and the original story, while introducing new characters and a deeper backstory for the beloved lion king.
Did You Know?
- Blue Ivy Carter makes her feature film debut as the voice of Kiara.
- The film features archived recordings of James Earl Jones as adult Mufasa during the opening titles.
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