Disney treated movie buffs with a sweet surprise in 2022, announcing that Mufasa: The Lion King was in the making. The audience is waiting with bated breaths for the release of the prequel to the much-loved 2019 musical film The Lion King. It will tell the tale of a young Mufasa and his sibling Scar, presumably documenting how their equation turned sour. Now, the popular chat show, Good Morning America (GMA) has taken the excitement of the masses a notch higher. They have finally unveiled the official trailer of the upcoming movie.
The preview of the eagerly awaited movie debuted on “GMA” this Monday, showcasing Aaron Pierre as the new voice of Mufasa, a character famously portrayed by James Earl Jones in earlier versions of ‘The Lion King’. The voiceover echoes, “This story begins far beyond the mountains and the shadows, on the other side of the light. A lion was born without a drop of nobility in his blood. A lion who would change our lives forever.”
The trailer showcases expansive views of the familiar savannah, home to giraffes, hippos, elephants, and of course, lions, but also introduces us to a stark, icy landscape. “Destiny awaits you,” declares the voiceover later in the footage, which culminates with Mufasa making a majestic leap.
During his conversation with ‘GMA,’ Jenkins expressed his attraction to the ‘powerful’ script penned by Jeff Nathanson, and the opportunity to contribute to the culturally significant world of ‘The Lion King.’ The director of ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ mentioned that he has a ‘deep connection’ with the 1994 animated film and was intrigued by ‘he prospect of how my style combined with this narrative … might manifest.’
Jenkins mentioned that the movie delves into exploring Mufasa’s backstory, a character familiar for three decades, and investigates “what shaped him” into the regal figure he is known as.
“The film’s journey revolves around comprehending how someone can create a family from very different elements,” he explained, emphasizing that it also explores ‘how individuals who might feel isolated can discover strength in unity.”
Regarding what else attracted him to the project, Jenkins shared that it was his experience of watching the 1994 animated version shortly after moving in with his sister, who was a single mother, and helping her raise his two nephews.
“It was the first instance where you witness children dealing with grief in a very direct and straightforward manner, yet the film portrays their journey to healing,” he elaborated. “This held a deep significance for me. It was a challenging period for my sister and me, but this film brought something truly beautiful.”
He further expressed, “I didn’t create ‘The Lion King.’ It’s not my creation. However, through narrating the tale, I was able to infuse a part of myself into it—adding to the mystique and magic of this narrative.”
In addition, ‘GMA’ unveiled the voice cast additions, with Kelvin Harrison Jr. taking on the role of Taka, a young lion prince with a promising future who welcomes Mufasa into his family as a brother; Tiffany Boone as Sarabi; and Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros, a powerful lion with ambitious plans for his pride.
Returning to their roles from the 2019 live-action ‘Lion King’ remake are John Kani as Rafiki, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, Billy Eichner as Timon, Donald Glover as Simba, and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala. The new addition to the cast, as revealed by ‘GMA,’ is Blue Ivy Carter, Beyoncé’s daughter, playing the role of Kiara, the offspring of King Simba and Queen Nala.
Disney officially unveiled plans for ‘Mufasa’ in 2020, tapping Jenkins, the Oscar-winning director of ‘Moonlight,’ to helm the project. Additionally, ‘GMA’ revealed that the movie will feature original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, accompanied by additional music and performances by Lebo M.
The Lion King, originally released in 1994 and directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, stands as one of Disney’s most iconic animated films. The classic garnered two Academy Awards and inspired two straight-to-DVD sequels alongside a successful Broadway musical adaptation that continues to captivate audiences. The 2019 live-action reimagining, helmed by Jon Favreau, grossed over $1.6 billion globally, as reported by The Numbers.
Both versions of ‘The Lion King,’ the beloved 1994 animated classic and the 2019 rendition, are currently accessible for streaming on Disney+.
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