Disney has announced a new CGI-live-action filmMufasa: The Lion King,aLion Kingprequel, at this year’s D23 Expo. The news has left fans surprised, as this was definitely unexpected. It also leaves some asking if the character of Mufasa needs a prequel. What will this movie be about, and where does it fall into the saturated prequel market? We don’t know much about this forthcoming movie, but what has been shared so far is enough to give us some insight into whether this will be a good movie.
Barry Jenkins will direct, with Aaron Pierre (Old, Foe, The Underground Railroad) and Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Waves, Luce, Cyrano) playing Mufasa and Taka, aka Scar. Here’s our take on why Mufasa needs a prequel or potentially why it does not, and how we think the movie will compare to the dozens of other noteworthy blockbuster prequels of the last couple of decades!
The Story Behind the Scar
We are currently experiencing a golden age in prequels. They are so prolific they establish a new timeline, and then those prequels have sequels, and eventually, other prequels to the prequels and to the sequels. There are too many that follow, with a recent blockbuster example beingStar Wars.The Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen trilogy is a prequel to the original trilogy;Rogue One: A Star Wars Storyis a prequel to the original trilogy and a sequel to the prequels;The Mandalorianis a prequel to the J. J. Abrams trilogy and a sequel to the original trilogy; Disney’s newest seriesAndor isaRogue Oneprequel. Add in theGame of Thronesspin-offHouse of the Dragon, and it’s apparent prequels are en vogue right now.
Related:The Lion King Prequel Finds Its Young Scar and Mufasa
RegardingMufasa: The Lion King,we know so far that Barry Jenkins (Moonlight, If Beale Street Could Talk, The Underground Railroad) will be stepping in as director for the project, which will be in the same CGI-live-action style as Jon Favreau’s version from 2019. So far, the only confirmed plot details released at the D23 Expo are that the movie will explore the relationship between Mufasa and Taka before the latter became Scar and the events that ended in Scar’s banishment and Mufasa’s reign as King.
There’s plenty of material here to work with as a prequel, as the originalThe Lion Kingpicks up decades later with Mufasa’s son. The latter knows nothing about Scar’s existence or what transpired between him and his father. We know it was nothing good, and some rumors suggest that the fallout between the brothers had something to do with Mufasa’s wife, Nala. We can expect to see Mufasa confronting an opportunity to do to his brother what his brother would eventually choose to do to him, but deciding on mercy in banishment for his brother instead. We may also learn that Mufasa gave his brother Taka that scar, eventually becoming his whole identity. These events will carry a lot of gravitas and make a strong case in favor of the movie being made.
Mufasa’s Backstory Has Never Been Fully Explored
Mufasa is an iconic Disney character, and he endured one of the most devastating and heart-wrenching Disney deaths inThe Lion Kingmovie. His story is not explored in depth extensively. Still, we see enough of him to know that he is a pillar of exemplary strength, diplomacy, and leadership, and without him, his Pride rapidly descends into chaos. He kept the wolves circling at bay as long as he was alive, and his absence leaves a gaping hole in the spirit of the movie in true Disneycoming-of-age-movie style. Order can only be restored to the circle of life when Mufasa’s son Simba seizes his father’s lingering strength and takes control of the Pride in his honor.
Related:Andor Explained: The Character, Home World, and Timeline
Knowing how and when his character dies makes a prequel even more bittersweet and perhaps unnecessary. We don’t always need to see how things ended up the way they did, and a more extensive backstory can quickly turn into a rehashing of themes that were stronger, sharper, and more meaningful when delivered in a less-is-more format. But because of Mufasa’s lingering legacy and the mystery and intrigue of the events that took place between him and Scar, a coming-of-age movie for the patriarch served as the bedrock for the everlastingly popularThe Lion Kingmight be a new fan favorite.
InThe Lion Kingworld,Mufasa’s legacyis a huge one not fully explored in the movie, which focuses on his son growing into his father’s shadow. Mufasa is such a strong and important character in the growth and development of so many people. His wisdom, temperance, and leadership within his archetype still ring tears and promote courage. That would make this an excellent idea for a prequel.
Mufasa: The Lion Kingwill be releasedon July 5th, 2024. Long live the King!
