Disney has revealed the first trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King, its upcoming Lion King prequel film from director Barry Jenkins (Moonlight).
The live-action/animated film stars Aaron Pierre as Mufasa and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Scar, along with Donald Glover (Simba), Beyoncé (Nala), Seth Rogen (Pumbaa), Billy Eichner (Timon), and John Kani (Rafiki) reprising their characters from the 2019 remake of The Lion King. Rounding out the voice cast are Mads Mikkelsen, Thandie Newton, and Beyoncé’s diaughter, Blue Ivy Carter.
Mufasa: The Lion King is set to open in theaters on December 20th, 2024. Jeff Nathanson, who wrote 2019’s The Lion King, returns as screenwriter, while Hans Zimmer, Pharrell Williams, and Nicholas Britell all contributed music to the new film.
Here’s the official plot synopsis provided by Disney: “Mufasa: The Lion King enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara (Blue Ivy), 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.”