If you were scratching your head when Oscar-winning arthouse indie filmmaker Barry Jenkins (“Moonlight”) was announced as the director of “Mufasa: The Lion King,” a prequel to Jon Favreau’s billion-dollar grossing “The Lion King” remake—it’s “live-action,” but really photorealistic animated—you weren’t the only one puzzled. But filmmakers like to spread their wings, play with technology, learn, and grow, so Jenkins just might be following in the footsteps of Favreau, who made small-scale comedies at first and then quickly graduated to blockbusters and huge I.P. like “Iron Man,” and “The Mandalorian.” And today, at D23, Disney’s biennial expo, the studio unveiled a new “Mufasa: The Lion King” trailer. The new film comes to theaters on December 20 and explores the unlikely rise of the beloved king of the Pride Lands.
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The film features an all-star roster of talent, bringing new and fan-favorite characters to life, and two up-and-coming talents are at the forefront. Aaron Pierre stars as Mufasa, and Kelvin Harrison Jr. voices Taka, a lion prince with a bright future who accepts Mufasa into his family as a brother (incidentally, the two starred opposite each other earlier this year in the National Geographic series, “Genius: MLK/X”). Additionally Mads Mikkelsen voices Kiros, a formidable lion with big plans for his pride, Thandiwe Newton plays Taka’s mother, Eshe, and returning from the previous film are Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, Billy Eichner as Timon, John Kani as Rafiki, and Donald Glover as Simba.
The cast also includes voice work from Folake Olowofoyeku, Lennie James, Braelyn Rankins, Tiffany Boone, Joanna Jones, Anika Noni Rose, Blue Ivy Carter, Thuso Mbedu, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Theo Somolu, Kagiso Lediga, Dominique Jennings, Sheila Atim, Preston Nyman, Keith David, and Abdul Salis.
Celebrated award-winning songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda is writing the film’s songs produced by Mark Mancina and Miranda, with additional music and performances by Lebo M.
Blending live-action filmmaking techniques with photoreal computer-generated imagery, “Mufasa: The Lion King” was written by Jeff Nathanson, who also wrote Favreau’s 2019 film. Adele Romanski and Mark Ceryak produced the picture, which was executive produced by Peter Tobyansen.
Here’s the official synopsis:
“Mufasa: The Lion King” 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 work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.
“Mufasa: The Lion King” opens in theaters on December 20 via Walt Disney Studios. Watch the new trailer unveiled today at D23 below.