Disney's Mufasa: The Lion King is released in cinemas 🦁
It's out now!
Following the success of the Disney’s 2019 live action remake of 90s animation The Lion King, it’s no surprise the house of mouse made plans for another instalment. Disney have been creating live action remakes of many of their beloved animated films from the past — The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Snow White being just a handful of examples.
And now Mufasa: The Lion King is hitting cinemas! The movie is a prequel to the beloved story of father and son, Mufasa and Simba, along with their iconic pride. We answer your burning questions about the new Lion King movie, as well as taking a deep dive into the success of the 2019 release…
What is the plot for Mufasa: The Lion King?
The 2024 prequel is told in flashbacks, introducing Mufasa as an orphaned cub, who finds himself lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka (Scar). Rafiki is enlisted to tell the story to Simba (Donald Glover) and Nala's (Beyoncé Knowles-Carter) daughter Kiara, played by Beyoncé's real-life daughter, Blue Ivy.
A young Simba and Taka head off on a journey, joined by sidekicks Rafiki and Zazu, to find a place to call home, with plenty of adventures along the way.
When is Mufasa: The Lion King due out in cinemas?
It's out now! It was released in cinemas on Friday 20th December 2024.
Is there a trailer for the new Lion King movie Mufasa: The Lion King?
Yes! Director Barry Jenkins shared an exciting new trailer at D23 Brazil—a Disney Experience, in November 2024. In the sneak preview, we see characters Mufasa, Scar, Sarabi, Rafiki and Zazu in their younger days, before they called Pride Rock home.
The trailer also explains who Scar was, before he adopted his rather gloomy persona (and nickname).
What is the plot for the first live-action The Lion King film?
The plot is the same as the original film, the 1994 Disney classic. The Lion King journeys to the African savanna where future king, Simba, is born. Simba idolises his father, King Mufasa, and is excited to follow in his father's footsteps.
However Simba's villainous uncle Scar is less than pleased that there is a new heir to the throne. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged with betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba’s exile.
With help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Timon and Pumbaa, Simba has to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his and save the animal kingdom from destruction.
Disney released two new sneak peek clips of the film ahead of its release - in one clip, it shows Timon and Pumbaa, spotting Simba for the first time, thinking he's a bird, before realising he's a lion cub!
Timon then hilariously says: "Let's see what we're dealing with here", before exclaiming: "It's a lion, run for your life!" Pumbaa then responds by saying: "Can we keep him, can we please keep him?".
In the second clip, Simba is being taught how to roar, being told: "This gorge is where all lions come to find their roar". Simba, who looks extremely realistic, then responds by attempting to find his roar, but fails. He instead lets out a baby squeal, which is adorable!
The Lion King is recommended for ages eight and above - it has a PG rating (Parental Guidance) which means that young children should be accompanied by an adult when watching it.
When was the first The Lion King remake released in UK cinemas?
The Lion King was released on the 19th July 2019.
Who does Beyonce Knowles-Carter play in the live-action The Lion King films?
Worldwide superstar Beyoncé Knowles-Carter took on the role of the older version of Nala, Simba's best friend turned love interest. In the 2019 movie, young Nala was played by Shahadi Wright Joseph. Unsurprisingly, Beyoncé's version of 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight?' with Donald Glover is INCREDIBLE.
Did James Earl Jones voice Mufasa in the first live-action The Lion King?
YES! The late James Earl Jones returned to the role of Mufasa in the first live action remake of The Lion King, after his memorable performance in the 1994 film. Who else could have taken on the iconic line of: "Simba, remember who you are..."?
Will James Earl Jones be in Mufasa: The Lion King?
Remembered fondly for his booming voice in both The Lion King 1994 and The Lion King 2019, the late James Earl Jones won't be voicing Mufasa in the 2024 live action remake. He sadly died aged 93 in September 2024.
Who plays young Mufasa in the 2024 Mufasa: The Lion King?
The 2024 live action remake Mufasa: The Lion King is a prequel to the 2019 film, so Mufasa is a young lion. He's voiced by Rebel Ridge actor Aaron Pierre. There's also an even younger Mufasa in the film, who is voiced by 17 year old Braelyn Rankins.
Who plays Simba in The Lion King?
Adult Simba is voiced by Donald Glover, who is best known for his role as Troy Barnes in Community and for performing music under the stage name Childish Gambino. Young Simba was voiced by JD McCrary.
Who else starred in the new live-action version of Disney's The Lion King?
The all-star lineup for the 2019 live-action version of Disney’s 1994 classic film The Lion King and 2024 prequel Mufasa: The Lion King includes stars from film, TV, music and theatre.
In the 2019 film The Lion King Donald Glover stars as future king Simba, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is Simba’s love interest Nala and the late James Earl Jones reprised his role as Simba’s father, Mufasa. Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Simba's villainous uncle Scar and Alfre Woodard takes on role of Simba's mum Sarabi.
Billy Eichner voices know-it-all meerkat Timon and Seth Rogen lends his comedic voice to naïve warthog Pumbaa.
JD McCrary plays young Simba and Shahadi Wright Joseph plays young Nala, having played the roles in the Broadway version of The Lion King.
Every kingdom comes with a trustworthy advisor or two. John Kani plays the wise baboon Rafiki and Donald's Community co-star John Oliver plays Zazu.
In the prequel, due out in December 2024, Donald Glover, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, John Kani, Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen return to their roles as Simba, Nala, Rafiki, Timon and Pumbaa, while a whole host of voice artists join the cast...
Who voices the characters in 2024 live action remake Mufasa: The Lion King?
As well as already mentioned Donald Glover, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, John Kani, Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen, who will reprise their roles, the film also welcomes Blue Ivy Carter, daughter of Beyoncé and Jay Z, as Kiara, Aaron Pierre (as Mufasa), Kelvin Harrison Jr. (as Taka/Scar), Tiffany Boone (as Sarabi), Kagiso Lediga (as Young Rafiki), Preston Nyman (as Zazu), Mads Mikkelsen (as Kiros), Thandiwe Newton (as Eshe), Lennie James (as Obasi), Anika Noni Rose (as Afia), Keith David (as Masego), Braelyn Rankins (Young Mufasa), Theo Somolu (Young Taka), Folake Olowofoyeku, Joanna Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, Abdul Salis and Dominique Jennings.
In 2019, Disney released pictures of the cast of The Lion King alongside their animated counterparts.
Swipe through to see the cast of The Lion King with their animated counterparts...
Donald Glover as Simba
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala
Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar
Billy Eichner as Timon, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa and John Oliver as Zazu
Alfre Woodard as Sarabi
Keegan-Michael Key as Kamari, Florence Kasumba as Shenzi and Eric Andre as Azizi
JD McCrary as young Simba and Shahadi Wright Joseph as young Nala
How did the live-action The Lion King do at the box office in 2019?
In its first three weeks, The Lion King had already grossed so much that it became the highest-grossing animated film of all time. Overtaking 2013 Disney film Frozen, which swept the world up into a frenzy at the time, earned $1.27 billion (£1.05 billion) at the time, but the 2019 version of The Lion King has earned $1.33 billion (£1.1 billion), according to Box Office Mojo.
Will there be new music for Mufasa: The Lion King?
Yes! It's reported that Moana and Encanto composer, Lin-Manuel Miranda, has created six original songs for the film — and it's widely rumoured Beyoncé has been working on new music for it too. It's after Queen Bey produced a full album for the 2019 remake!
Who wrote the soundtrack for The Lion King in 2019?
Fans of the original film were pleased to know that the 2019 film would include most of the songs from the 1994 version — including 'Hakuna Matata' and 'Circle Of Life'! Hans Zimmer, who won an Oscar for his score on the animated classic, returned to write the score for the 2019 version. Elton John joined the project to rework his original songs with original lyricist Tim Rice, and also worked with Beyoncé for end credits song 'Spirit', which is also part of the soundtrack.
Beyoncé also produced an album The Lion King: The Gift made up of songs directly inspired by the film. Disney revealed the news on Instagram back in 2019, writing, 'Just Announced: "The Lion King: The Gift," a new album of songs featuring global recording artists and steeped in the sounds of Africa, produced and curated by @Beyonce Knowles-Carter, will be released July 19. "Spirit," the single from the album and from the soundtrack for The Lion King, will be available later tonight.'
Beyoncé released a statement about the album, saying, "This is sonic cinema. This is a new experience of storytelling. I wanted to do more than find a collection of songs that were inspired by the film. It is a mixture of genres and collaboration that isn't one sound. It is influenced by everything from R&B, pop, hip hop and Afro Beat.
"I wanted to put everyone on their own journey to link the storyline. Each song was written to reflect the film's storytelling that gives the listener a chance to imagine their own imagery, while listening to a new contemporary interpretation.
"It was important that the music was not only performed by the most interesting and talented artists but also produced by the best African producers. Authenticity and heart were important to me."
Beyoncé also released a behind-the-scenes documentary showing how she made the album, and artist RAYE spoke out about being on the album.
Who directed the 2019 live action movie The Lion King?
The Lion King was directed by Jon Favreau who also directed the live-action remake of The Jungle Book released in 2016, as well as Marvel Studios’ Iron Man. Friends fans will recognise him as Pete Becker, the super-rich restaurant-goer who develops an infatuation with Monica Geller.
Who brought The Lion King to life?
The award-winning team of artists who brought 2019's The Lion King to life include visual effects supervisor Rob Legato, who conceived the virtual production on Avatar, and won Academy Awards for his work on The Jungle Book, Hugo and Titanic, and was nominated for an Oscar for his work on Apollo 13.
The film’s animation supervisor is Oscar winner Andrew R. Jones and VFX supervisor is Adam Valdez. Five-time Oscar nominee Caleb Deschanel, ASC is director of photography, and James Chinlund serves as the production designer. Oscar winner Ben Grossman is virtual production supervisor, and Mark Livolsi, ACE and Adam Gerstel are editors.
Who created Mufasa: The Lion King?
2024's Mufasa: The Lion King is directed by Barry Jenkins, produced by Adele Romanski & Mark Ceryak, and executive produced by Peter Tobyansen.
NOW WATCH: The cast of The Lion King take our Big Quiz
Back in 2019, we challenged The Lion King stars Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner and director Jon Favreau to our Big Cast Quiz! Find out how well the cast know each other...