Disney unveiled a primary take a look at Mufasa: The Lion King, the brand new movie coming to theaters December 20 that explores the unlikely rise of the beloved king of the Pleasure Lands.
Introduced this morning is an all-star roster of expertise bringing new and fan-favorite characters to life — plus, celebrated award-winning songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda is writing the movie’s songs produced by Mark Mancina and Miranda, with further music and performances by Lebo M.
“Elton John. Tim Rice. Hans Zimmer. Lebo M. Mark Mancina. Beyoncé, Labrinth, Ilya Salmanzadeh. Beau Black, Ford Riley, the unimaginable music staff on ‘The Lion Guard,’ and so many musical contributors through the years. The Lion King has an unimaginable musical legacy with music from among the biggest songwriters round, and I’m humbled and proud to be part of it. It’s been a pleasure working alongside Barry Jenkins to deliver Mufasa’s story to life, and we will’t await audiences to expertise this movie in theaters,” Miranda mentioned.
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. Informed 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 rare 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.
New and returning solid members have been referred to as on to lend their voices to the movie:
- Aaron Pierre as Mufasa
- Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka, a lion prince with a shiny future who accepts Mufasa into his household as a brother
- Tiffany Boone as Sarabi
- Kagiso Lediga as Younger Rafiki
- Preston Nyman as Zazu
- Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros, a formidable lion with massive plans for his pleasure
- Thandiwe Newton as Taka’s mom, Eshe
- Lennie James as Taka’s father, Obasi
- Anika Noni Rose as Mufasa’s mom, Afia
- Keith David as Mufasa’s father, Masego
- John Kani as Rafiki
- Seth Rogen as Pumbaa
- Billy Eichner as Timon
- Donald Glover as Simba
- Introducing Blue Ivy Carter as Kiara, daughter of King Simba and Queen Nala
- And Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala
Extra casting consists of Braelyn Rankins, Theo Somolu, Folake Olowofoyeku, Joanna Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, Abdul Salis and Dominique Jennings.
Mixing live-action filmmaking methods with photoreal computer-generated imagery, Mufasa: The Lion King is directed by Barry Jenkins, produced by Adele Romanski & Mark Ceryak, and govt produced by Peter Tobyansen.