Disney has released a new trailer for its upcoming film Mufasa: The Lion King, which made its debut at the D23 Expo. The trailer is now online for everyone to watch.
This film serves as a prequel to the original film that will tell the story of the rise of the greatest kings of the Pride Lands… Mufasa.
The movie comes from director Barry Jenkins of Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk, and this is a story that he’s been very excited and passionate about telling.
He has explained that he grew up watching the original film hundreds of times and its one of those that has obviously inspired him.
The story “enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick.
“Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka—the heir to a royal bloodline.
“The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny — their bonds will be tested as they must work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.”
The voice cast for the film includes Aaron Pierre as Mufasa, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, Billy Eichner as Timon, John Kani as Rafiki.
The rest of the ensemble cast includes Tiffany Boone, Kagiso Lediga, Preston Nyman, Thandiwe Newton, Mads Mikkelsen, Anika Noni Rose, Keith David, John Kani, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, and introducing Blue Ivy Carter as Kiara, daughter of King Simba and Queen Nala.
The screenplay for the film was written by Jeff Nathanson, the same writer behind 2019’s The Lion King.
Walt Disney Pictures will release Mufasa: The Lion King in theaters on December 20th, 2024.
