'Mufasa: The Lion King' trailer: Blue Ivy Carter joins voice cast
The movie company Disney has recently put out the initial preview for their upcoming film "Mufasa: The Lion King," which comes before the realistic 2019 remake of "The Lion King." Additionally, it was announced that Blue Ivy Carter will be lending her voice to the cast.
Barry Jenkins, the filmmaker behind "Moonlight," is set to direct a new film called "Mufasa." The movie will tell the story of Mufasa, the lion who becomes the main character in "The Lion King." The film will show Mufasa's childhood with his brother Taka, who later becomes the villain Scar. In the movie, Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. will voice the young versions of Mufasa and Scar. James Earl Jones, who voiced Mufasa in the original 1994 film and the 2019 remake, will not be part of the project. In his place, a new actor will be taking over the role. Jeremy Irons voiced Scar in the 1994 version, while Chiwetel Ejiofor played him in the 2019 remake.
Lots of the actors from the original 2019 movie are coming back for the new one, such as John Kani as Rafiki, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, Billy Eichner as Timon, Donald Glover as Simba, and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala. Beyoncé's little girl, Blue Ivy Carter, will play Kiara, the child of King Simba and Queen Nala. The new movie will be directed by Jon Favreau and the script is being written by Jeff Nathanson again, who worked on "Mufasa."
It was disclosed that Lin-Manuel Miranda will be writing the songs for the movie. He will also be producing alongside Mark Mancina. Lebo M. will contribute to the music and performances.
In a statement, Miranda discussed his involvement in the new production of "The Lion King". He expressed his appreciation for the talented musicians who have worked on the movie over the years, such as Elton John and Hans Zimmer. Miranda is thrilled to be a part of this musical legacy and grateful for the opportunity to work with director Barry Jenkins on bringing Mufasa's story to life. He eagerly anticipates the film's release and can't wait for audiences to see it on the big screen.
The latest additions to the cast comprise Tiffany Boone as Sarabi; Kagiso Lediga portraying Young Rafiki; Preston Nyman playing Zazu; Mads Mikkelsen embodying Kiros, a dominant lion with grand ambitions for his pride; Thandiwe Newton taking on the role of Taka’s mother, Eshe; Lennie James portraying Taka’s father, Obasi; Anika Noni Rose as Mufasa’s mother, Afia; and Keith David playing the part of Mufasa’s father, Masego.
I assisted my sister in taking care of two boys when I was growing up in the 90s, and these characters became a part of my life. Therefore, getting the chance to collaborate with Disney and expand on this amazing story of companionship, affection, and inheritance while progressing with my passion for chronicling the experiences and spirits of individuals in the African diaspora is something I never imagined would come true," Jenkins declared regarding the prequel.
Disney's "Lion King" franchise has been a huge success, with the original film grossing $960 million worldwide in 1994 and the 2019 remake bringing in a whopping $1.6 billion globally. The recent version even made it onto "Variety's" list of Critic's Picks in 2019. Peter Debruge, the chief film critic, reviewed the movie, noting that if you didn't like the original, you most likely won't enjoy the remake. However, for those who have never seen it before, it could be a memorable experience, as Disney aims to showcase a special connection between audiences and the animal kingdom much like they did in previous films such as "The Legend of Lobo" and "The Incredible Journey."
