By Samantha Ofole-Prince
From Beyoncé Knowles-Carter to Thuso Mbedu, Keith David to Kelvin Harrison Jr., “Mufasa: The Lion King” features an impressive lineup of talent.
Originally brought to life by the iconic James Earl Jones in 1994’s animated film and then again for the 2019 version, this latest offering honors and enriches the original film’s legacy.
Blending live-action filmmaking techniques with photoreal computer-generated imagery, “Mufasa: The Lion King” captures the richness of Africa’s landscape and features vocal performances by South African producer and composer Lebo M.
Directed by Oscar Winner Barry Jenkins (“Moonlight”), the story is told in flashbacks and introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub who meets a sympathetic lion named Taka—the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion a journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny as they work together to evade a deadly foe.
Other cast members include Aaron Pierre (Mufasa), Tiffany Boone (Sarabi), Kagiso Lediga (Young Rafiki), Preston Nyman (Zazu), Blue Ivy Carter (Kiara), John Kani (Rafiki), Seth Rogen (Pumbaa), Billy Eichner (Timon), Anika Noni Rose (Afia), Braelyn Rankins (Mufasa Cub), Theo Somolu (Taka Cub), and Folake Olowofoyeku (Amara).
With flashbacks, the film shares an insight into Mufasa’s childhood, his adolescence and the formative experiences that contributed to his moral compass.
“I saw this film as an opportunity to really ground Mufasa—to show that this guy was not born perfect,” shared Jenkins at the film’s world premiere of the film at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood. “He was not born wealthy. He was not born entitled. He was just someone with a family who lost that family. Then faith and fortune and luck gave him a new family that he learned from and built with. He wasn’t given a damn thing—he earned all of it through learning, through being one with his environment, through caring for others.”
“Mufasa: The Lion King” opens in U.S. theaters on Dec. 20, 2024.
Photos: Alberto E. Rodriguez & Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
