Summary
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.
Latest Mufasa: The Lion King News
The Live-Action Lion King Prequel Streaming Release Date Rumors
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The most recent news on Mufasa: The Lion King came in August 2023, although it wasn’t an official update from Disney themselves. Various outlets reported that the live-action Lion King prequel would be arriving in the last quarter of 2024. However, these reports are from predictions based on release patterns of previous Disney movies, and don’t stem from anything Disney has revealed (via Yahoo). While the release date of the live-action Lion King prequel has been set for July 2024 there’s been no news yet that clarifies when it will be expected on Disney+.
Mufasa: The Lion King Is Confirmed
Disney’s Live Action Lion King Prequel Is Happening
Disney’s live-action Lion King prequel is confirmed, and was announced in September 202 with Barry Jenkins on directorial duties (via Deadline). Screenwriter Jeff Nathanson completed the script the same year, with the title of Mufasa: The Lion King revealed by Disney in 2022.
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 July 5, 2024, by Disney. This was announced alongside several other upcoming Disney movies at the 2022 Disney Expo alongside the prequel’s full title of Mufasa: The Lion King. It’s expected that the lie-action Lion King prequel will have a theatrical release, although nothing has been confirmed yet.
Mufasa: The Lion King Cast
What Voice Actors Are 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.
Mufasa: The Lion King Story Details
What Is The Live-Action Lion King Prequel About?
Though specific details of the plot of the live-action Lion King prequel aren’t known, it will be focused on Mufasa’s backstory. It’s likely that any such story would 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 in a similar way to The Godfather Part II’s, with the two timelines being told parallel to each other. This means that the movie 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
When Will The Trailer For The Live-Action Lion King Be Released?
The first trailer for the live-action Lion King prequel has not yet been released to the public, but the first footage was shown exclusively at the 2022 Disney Expo event. The footage was reported to include narration by Rafifki about the life of Mufasa as well as showing how young Mufasa was swept away from his family by a flood. There has been no word on the footage being released online. The first teaser for the live-action The Lion King was first released in November 2018 ahead of its July 2019 release. By that standard, it is possible fans will see the first official trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King by the end of 2023 or in early 2024.
