Barry Jenkins, the director of Disney’s upcomingMufasa: The Lion King, almost declined the project without even looking at the script. The upcoming film follows in the footsteps of the 1994 animated classic,The Lion Kingand its 2019 live-action adaptation. Both of those movies tell the story of Simba, a young lion prince who, after the tragic death of his father Mufasa and betrayal by his uncle Scar, embarks on a journey of self-discovery to reclaim his place as king and restore balance to the Pride Lands. Jenkins initially dismissed the idea of helming the prequel butchanged his mind after reading the script.
According toGamesRadar, Jenkins’ perspective shifted dramatically after seeing how screenwriter Jeff Nathanson, who also wrote the live-actionThe Lion King,broughtMufasa: The Lion Kingto life. This prequel is set to delve into the origins of Simba’s father and his rise from humble beginnings to becoming king of the Pride Lands. Nathanson’s scriptchallenged Jenkins’ assumptions about Mufasa as a characterand the over-arching themes ofThe Lion King. Jenkins found the story so compelling that he ultimately decided to direct it, bringing his Academy Award-winning expertise to the project. Check out what he said regarding the film:
I definitely thought that when it first came my way. I got a call from my agent saying, ‘Disney has sent over this project – a prequel for The Lion King.’ And I said, ‘Yeah, that’s not going to happen.’ But without even reading the thing! I expected to read five pages, and about 45 pages in, I turned to her, and said, ‘Hell, this s*** is good,’ and the next day, I finished it.
As someone who was very familiar withThe Lion King, I was shocked at how many things I assumed I knew, or how many things I thought were etched in stone about who these characters were, and what the themes of The Lion King were, to be honest. I was just shocked at how [screenwriter Jeff Nathanson] had dislodged so many of these notions, and how much of what I feel like is prominent in my work, I felt like was prominent in this.
What This Means For The Lion King Franchise
Jenkins’ involvement suggests thatMufasa: The Lion Kingmay take a more nuanced approachwithinThe Lion Kingfranchise. His acclaimed films, likeMoonlightandIf Beale Street Could Talk,are known for their character-driven narratives with profound depth. Bringing his perspective to Mufasa’s story could add depth to the Pride Lands and its characters. Jenkins’ initial hesitation reflects the difficulty of revisiting such a beloved property, but his eventual endorsement of it raises the question of what drew him toMufasa: The Lion Kingandwhat unique qualities he sees in the story that could elevate it.
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Moreover, the decision to expand on Mufasa’s backstory reflectsDisney’s broader strategy of revisiting its classic films. The originalThe Lion Kingfocused on themes of identity, reckoning with the past, and ‘Hakuna Matata’, while the live-action adaptation added a visual spectacle along with upholding the original film’s themes. WithMufasa: The Lion King, the studioappears to be aiming for a new narrative anglefor a character who had limited yet impactful appearances in the original film.
Our Take on Jenkins’ Journey to Directing Mufasa: The Lion King
Barry Jenkins’ decision to ultimately directMufasa: The Lion Kingemphasizes how creative storytelling can overcome skepticism from a director. If Jenkins was surprised by the script’s depth and creativity, it suggests the prequel has the potential to breathe new life into the franchise and offer a long-awaited backstory to one of cinema’s most recognizable characters. His involvement brings the promise of a bold, character-driven narrative that could redefine what audiences expect from Disney’s animated legacies.
Mufasa: The Lion King
Cast
Mufasa: The Lion King explores the origins of the beloved character Mufasa, focusing on his youth as a lost cub who encounters Taka, a royal heir. Their meeting initiates an epic journey of self-discovery and destiny, featuring a group of misfit companions navigating the challenges of their world.
