Made in the style of Disney’s 2019 live-action remake, this prequel film tells the story of how Mufasa became the Lion King.
Rafiki tells Kiara – the daughter of Simba and Nala – the story of her grandfather, while Timon and Pumbaa add colorful commentary. Through flashbacks, we are told the story of young, orphaned Mufasa who meets a sympathetic lion named Taka – the heir to the throne. The chance meeting sets in motion a journey and their bonds will be tested as they work together to fight a menacing and deadly enemy.
Most of the actors from the 2019 film are back in their roles, while 29-year-old Aaron Pierre has taken over the role of Mufasa, and Beyoncé’s daughter Blue Ivy Carter (13) plays Kiara. The film features new songs written by Vaiana, Encanto and Hamilton composer Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The new film comes from one of the best filmmakers of our time, Oscar winner Barry Jenkins (Moonlight). Earlier this month, he showed the trailer at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. Why is the director of Moonlight here to tell you about an 8-quadrant sequel movie?” The answer was that the project is “one of the best choices I’ve ever made in my life.”
