The nostalgia. The emotion. The heart. The pure cinema. You can feel all that and more from the heartwarming “Mufasa: The Lion King” teaser trailer that Disney just released.
On Monday April 29, Disney released the first look at the Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) directed music filled film that follows the origin story of the iconic King Mufasa. The film will also be a follow-up to Jon Favreau’s 2019 live action remake “The Lion King” which was was based on the 1994 Disney animated classic of the same name.
Many members of the 2019 voice cast are returning to their roles, including John Kani as Rafiki, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, Billy Eichner as Timon, Donald Glover as Simba and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala. Beyoncé’s daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, will play Kiara, the daughter of King Samba and Queen Nala.
The new film, will tell a completely original backstory of Simba’s father, Mufasa. The story will be told by Rafiki who will 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, who as the trailer goes on to say was born without a drop of nobility in his blood, 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.
If this teaser alone is any indication of what we can expect, then we are no doubt in for a thrilling, action packed, stunning and emotional cinematic experience. This film is bound to break our hearts yes, but that’s the beauty of it isn’t it?
Courtesy of Disney
Aaron Pierre voices the title character, while Kelvin Harrison Jr. voices his evil brother, Scar. Other new cast members include Tiffany Boone as Sarabi; Kagiso Lediga as Young Rafiki; Preston Nyman as Zazu; Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros, a formidable lion with big plans for his pride; Thandiwe Newton as Taka’s mother, Eshe; Lennie James as Taka’s father, Obasi; Anika Noni Rose as Mufasa’s mother, Afia; and Keith David as Mufasa’s father, Masego.
It was also revealed that award winning songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda is penning the film’s songs, and Jenkins promises we are in for a lineup of new songs produced by Mark Mancina.
Watch the trailer here:
Blending live-action filmmaking techniques with photoreal computer-generated imagery, “Mufasa: The Lion King” is directed by Barry Jenkins, produced by Adele Romanski & Mark Ceryak, and executive produced by Peter Tobyansen and will premiere December 20 2024.
Fangirl and Writer with a huge passion for entertainment.
