Oscar winner Barry Jenkins directs, with songs by multiple award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda and an all-star voice lineup led by Thandiwe Newton, Donal Glover, Seth Rogen, Keith David and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter; film hits theaters December 20, 2024.
We just got our first look at Mufasa: The Lion King, a new animated film (yes, CGI is animation) from Disney that explores the “unlikely rise of the beloved king of the Pride Lands.” Coming to theaters December 20, 2024, the film, directed by Oscar winner Barry Jenkins, features an all-star cast along with songs by award-winning songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The film 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.
New and returning cast include Aaron Pierre as Mufasa; Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka; Tiffany Boone as Sarabi; Kagiso Lediga as Young Rafiki; Preston Nyman as Zazu; Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros; Thandiwe Newton as Taka’s mother, Eshe; Lennie James as Taka’s father, Obasi; Anika Noni Rose as Mufasa’s mother, Afia; Keith David as Mufasa’s father, Masego; John Kani as Rafiki; Seth Rogen as Pumbaa; Billy Eichner as Timon; Donald Glover as Simba; Blue Ivy Carter as Kiara, daughter of King Simba and Queen Nala; and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala.
Additional casting includes Braelyn Rankins, Theo Somolu, Folake Olowofoyeku, Joanna Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, Abdul Salis and Dominique Jennings.
Said Miranda, “Elton John. Tim Rice. Hans Zimmer. Lebo M. Mark Mancina. Beyoncé, Labrinth, Ilya Salmanzadeh. Beau Black, Ford Riley, the incredible music team on ‘The Lion Guard,’ and so many musical contributors over the years. ‘The Lion King’ has an incredible musical legacy with music from some of the greatest songwriters around, and I'm humbled and proud to be a part of it. It's been a joy working alongside Barry Jenkins to bring Mufasa's story to life, and we can't wait for audiences to experience this film in theaters."
Billed as a blend of “live-action filmmaking techniques with photoreal computer-generated imagery,” the film is directed by Jenkins, produced by Adele Romanski & Mark Ceryak, and executive produced by Peter Tobyansen.
Source: Walt Disney Studios
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
