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Directed by Barry Jenkins, the music-filled movie serves as both an origin story and follow-up to Jon Favreau’s 2019 box office hit 'The Lion King.' Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Blue Ivy Carter are among the voice cast.
By Kimberly Nordyke
Managing Editor, Digital
Disney on Monday released the first trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King.
Directed by Barry Jenkins, the music-filled film serves as both an origin story and follow-up to Jon Favreau’s 2019 photorealistic movie The Lion King. That film was based on the 1994 Disney animated classic of the same name. 
Along with the trailer release, it was revealed that Blue Ivy Carter will make her film debut voicing Kiara, daughter of King Simba and Queen Nala, while her mother, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, will reprise her role as Nala from the 2019 film.
The new film, which hits theaters Dec. 20, will tell the backstory of Simba’s father, Mufasa, an orphan who grew up to be a wise, powerful and compassionate ruler.
The official logline is as follows: “Mufasa: The Lion King 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.”
Aaron Pierre voices the title character (voiced by James Earl Jones in both of the previous films), while Kelvin Harrison Jr. voices his brother, Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor in the 2019 film and Jeremy Irons in the 1994 animated classic), though he’s listed in the credits as Taka, a lion prince with a bright future who accepts Mufasa into his family as a brother.
Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen will return as Timon and Pumbaa, respectively, reprising their roles from Favreau’s 2019 movie. That movie grossed a total of $1.7 billion at the global box office to become the top-grossing Disney-branded film of all time.
The cast also includes Donald Glover as Simba (reprising his role from the 2019 film); 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; Keith David as Mufasa’s father, Masego; and John Kani as Rafiki.
Additional casting includes Braelyn Rankins, Theo Somolu, Folake Olowofoyeku, Joanna Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, Abdul Salis and Dominique Jennings.
The script was written by Jeff Nathanson, who also wrote the script for Favreau’s film.
Lin-Manuel Miranda is writing the film’s songs.
“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,” Miranda said. “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.”
Earlier this month, Jenkins was on hand at CinemaCon in Las Vegas to debut the first teaser trailer for theater owners.
“It’s an expansive adventure,” he told attendees, adding: “Audiences can expect so many things in this film — an epic story and a comedy with plenty of familiar faces. There are some absolutely hilarious moments and some with extreme gravitas.”
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