Mufasa: The Lion King

Mufasa: The Lion King is an upcoming American musical drama film directed by Barry Jenkins, written by Jeff Nathanson, and produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Pastel Productions. It is intended to be the live-action styled photorealistic computer-animated prequel to the similarly created 2019 remake of The Lion King (1994).[1] Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, and John Kani reprise their character roles from the remake, and are joined by Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr., who voice their young versions of Mufasa and Scar, respectively.

Mufasa: The Lion King
Official logo
Directed byBarry Jenkins
Written byJeff Nathanson
Based onDisney's The Lion King
by Irene Mecchi
Jonathan Roberts
Linda Woolverton
Produced by
Starring
Music by
Production
companies
Distributed byWalt Disney Studios
Motion Pictures
Release date
  • July 5, 2024 (2024-07-05)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Development on a prequel to The Lion King was confirmed in September 2020, with Jenkins attached to direct and Nathanson finishing a draft of the script. Pierre and Harrison Jr. were announced as the voice cast in August 2021. The official title was revealed in September 2022.

Mufasa: The Lion King is scheduled to be released in theaters on July 5, 2024, by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Voice cast

Production

Development

In September 2020, it was announced that a follow-up film to the live-action-styled photorealistic CGI 2019 remake of The Lion King (1994) was in development, with Barry Jenkins attached to direct.[2] Reports indicated that the project would have a story centered on Mufasa during his formative years, with additional scenes focusing on the events after the first film; comparing the movie to a similar structure as The Godfather Part II (1974). The film will not be a remake of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998), the direct-to-video sequel to the original animated film.[3] By this point, Jeff Nathanson, the previous installment's screenwriter, had completed a draft of the script.[4][5] The film was officially announced, with the title of Mufasa: The Lion King at the 2022 D23 Expo.[6]

Casting

In August 2021, Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. were cast as the voices of young Mufasa and Scar, respectively.[7] By September 2022, it was revealed that Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, and John Kani will reprise their roles as Pumbaa, Timon, and Rafiki, respectively.[8][9] During an interview with Fandango in April 2023 about his film Chevalier (2022), Harrison Jr. confirmed that the film will explore Scar's backstory, portraying him in a "hilarious and very, very spicy" way and expressing interest in how the young and sweet Scar's relationship with his brother Mufasa evolves throughout the film.[10]

Visual effects

In September 2022, at D23, the first footage was played exclusively to attendees, thus revealing that production had been underway.[6][8][9] Moving Picture Company will return to provide the visual effects.[11] In July 2023, production on the film slowed down due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.[12]

Music

In June 2022, Nicholas Britell was hired to serve as composer for the score on the film's soundtrack, after having previously collaborated with Jenkins on various projects.[13] In September 2022, it was announced that Hans Zimmer and Pharrell Williams would return for the film.[14]

Marketing

During the D23, an exclusive preview was shown to those who attended the D23 for the film, which revealed that Mufasa was an orphaned cub. The preview also revealed that Rafiki and Timon will tell stories about Mufasa's past and his way to becoming king.[15]

Release

Mufasa: The Lion King is scheduled to be released on July 5, 2024.[16][8][9][17]

References
  1. Geisinger, Gabriella (September 30, 2020). "The Lion King 2 has been confirmed – here's everything you need to know". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on December 26, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  2. Fleming, Mike Jr. (September 29, 2020). "'The Lion King' Followup Set With 'Moonlight' Director Barry Jenkins To Helm For Walt Disney Studios". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  3. Sandell, Rachel (March 18, 2022). "The Lion King II: Simba's Pride Is an Underrated Disney Sequel". Collider. Archived from the original on March 19, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  4. Rubin, Rebecca; Lang, Brent (September 29, 2020). "'The Lion King' Follow-Up in the Works With Director Barry Jenkins". Variety. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  5. Couch, Aaron; Kits, Borys (September 29, 2020). "'Lion King' Prequel in the Works with Director Barry Jenkins". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  6. Leston, Ryan (September 9, 2022). "Mufasa: The Lion King Announced at D23". IGN.
  7. Wiseman, Andreas (August 26, 2021). "'The Lion King' Prequel: Kelvin Harrison Jr. & Aaron Pierre To Lead Cast For Disney & Barry Jenkins". Deadline. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  8. Chapman, Wilson (September 9, 2022). "'Lion King' Prequel Gets Official Title, Footage Shown at D23". Variety. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  9. Busch, Jenna (September 9, 2022). "Mufasa: The Lion King Footage Description: Barry Jenkins Completes The Circle Of Life [D23]". /Film. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  10. @@Fandango (April 24, 2023). "We caught up with #Chevalier star Kelvin Harrison Jr., who shared some new info about his upcoming role of Scar in #TheLionKing prequel #Mufasa. Don't miss him in theaters now in 'Chevalier'! 🎟's fandan.co/Chevalier" (Tweet). Retrieved April 25, 2023 – via Twitter.
  11. "Filmography". MPC Film. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  12. Bowden, George; Glynn, Paul (July 14, 2023). "Which movies and TV shows are impacted by the Hollywood strike?". BBC. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  13. Ridgley, Charlie (June 21, 2022). "The Lion King Prequel Adds Succession, Star Wars: Andor Composer". ComicBook.com. Paramount. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  14. Glynn, Jennifer (September 22, 2022). "'Mufasa' Prequel Director Barry Jenkins Reveals New Details on Live-Action Characters". Collider. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  15. Chapman, Wilson (September 9, 2022). "'Lion King' Prequel Gets Official Title, Footage Shown at D23". Variety. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  16. @DisneyStudios (September 9, 2022). "Mufasa: The Lion King. 2024" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  17. D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 15, 2022). "Disney Release Dates Coming Out Of D23: 'Snow White' Eyes Spring 2024, 'Rogue Squadron' Scrubbed From Schedule & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
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