Lin-Manuel Miranda says that Barry Jenkins’ Mufasa film acquired the late James Earl Jones’ blessing.
Mufasa: The Lion King will likely be launched in United States theaters this coming December. Directed by Moonlight’s Jenkins, the movie is a prequel to 2019’s The Lion King and tells the origin story of Mufasa (voiced by Aaron Pierre) and Taka (voiced by Kelvin Harrison Jr.), who later turns into often known as Scar. Miranda wrote six authentic songs for the film.
The Mufasa character was famously voiced by Jones in 1994’s The Lion King. Jones, who handed away earlier this month at age 93, additionally voiced the character in 1998’s The Lion King II: Simba’s Pleasure, 2015’s The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar, and the 2019 model of The Lion King.
What did Lin-Manuel Miranda say about Mufasa: The Lion King?
Chatting with The Hollywood Reporter, Miranda stated he was uncertain whether or not or not Jones noticed a last minimize of the film earlier than he handed away. Miranda was certain, nevertheless, that Jenkins had beforehand spoken to Jones in regards to the film.
“I do know we had his blessing,” Miranda stated.
“Exploring the unlikely rise of the beloved king of the Pleasure Lands, Mufasa: The Lion King enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to younger lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick,” the synopsis for the film reads. “Instructed in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, misplaced and alone till he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka—the inheritor to a royal bloodline. The possibility assembly units in movement an expansive journey of a unprecedented group of misfits trying to find their future—their bonds will likely be examined as they work collectively to evade a threatening and lethal foe.”
With the screenplay written by Jeff Nathanson, the voice forged of the film additionally consists of John Kani as Rafiki, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, Billy Eichner as Timon, Donald Glover as Simba, Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros, Thandiwe Newton as Eshe, Tiffany Boone as Sarabi, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, Blue Ivy Carter as Kiara, and Keith David as Masego.
Mufasa: The Lion King releases in United States theaters on December 20, 2024.
