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A prequel story to 2019’s Disney live-action movie,The Lion King, is upon us. The movie tells us the story of Mufasa, Simba’s father, and his journey to become the king of the jungle.Mufasa: The Lion Kingwill be helmed by director Barry Jenkins ofMoonlightfame, unlike Jon Favreau, who directed the 2019 feature, with Donald Glover and Beyoncé returning to voice Simba and Nala, respectively.
For the Oscar winner, this Walt Disney production was quite different from the kind of movies he usually makes. And if not for Jeff Nathanson’s script, which had him hooked from the beginning, Jenkins could have almost said no to the project.
Barry Jenkins Almost Said No ToMufasa: The Lion King
Jenkins says that he was initially hesitant to take on the movie because of it being a musical. The idea that music comes first and the story comes second was not something he wanted to work with. Speaking of finding that balance and how Miranda was a help in reaching that point, Jenkins toldEmpire:
“We wanted to really find a balance of symbiosis between the music and the film. Lin really leaned in and tried to find the places that myself and Jeff Nathanson, the writer of the script, had tried to go deeper into the background of some of these characters in this film. He did a really, really wonderful job, and he and I already had something of a rapport.”
Mufasa Director Barry Jenkins Praises Brooklyn Nine-Nine Star Who Wrote The Lion King Prequel’s Songs: “He did a really, really wonderful job”
The 2019 movie had an amazing soundtrack, with some really great vocals adding to the tunes, whether new or nostalgic. We are sure, the upcoming feature will have the same effect.
Fans Will Miss The Original Mufasa
While Glover and Beyonce are returning to voice Simba and Nala, one person, whose voice will be tremendously missed, is that ofJames Earl Jones. Jones voiced Mufasa in the animated Disney productions, as well as in the Jon Favreau-directed live-action,The Lion King. Unfortunately, the incredible actor will not be returning to voice the protagonist of the story.
The task of voicing the young Mufasa has fallen on the shoulders of the English actor, Aaron Pierre. Pierre has previously worked with Jenkins inThe Underground Railroad(2021) and is teaming up with the director once more to join the Disney family, to voice such an iconic character. While it is an almost impossible task to match up to James Earl Jones, we wish Pierre the best as he makes this character his own.
‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ Triggers Nepotism Backlash With Latest Casting
Mufasa: The Lion Kingin theatres on August 13, 2025.
Swagata Das
Senior Features Editor / Reviewer
Articles Published :356
Swagata works as a Senior Features Editor at FandomWire. Having previously worked as a Content Writer, her passion for everything pop culture became her true calling as she now works with a global team of writers to brainstorm unique, groundbreaking ideas. Having done her Masters in English Literature, Swagata is a self-professed K-Pop addict with an affinity to work her charms on unsuspecting friends to induct them into the fandom cult.
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Aaron PierreBarry JenkinsJames Earl JonesLin-Manuel Miranda
