‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ Cast: ‘We’ve Given It All…

It really is the circle of life.

Opening in theaters Friday, December 20, Disney's Mufasa: The Lion King explores the unlikely rise of the beloved king of the Pride Lands, with Rafiki relaying the legend to lion cub Kiara, 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 a group of misfits in search of their destiny.

Directed by Academy Award^® winner Barry Jenkins and featuring original songs by Tony^® Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda, the film features several actors from Disney Legend Jon Favreau's 2019 film The Lion King, including Donald Glover as Simba, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, Billy Eichner as Timon, and John Kani as Rafiki.

Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. attend the UK premiere of Disney's Mufasa: The Lion King at Cineworld Leicester Square in London on December 11, 2024.

Rounding out the cast of Mufasa: The Lion King are Aaron Pierre as Mufasa, Braelyn Rankins as Mufasa Cub, Kelvin Harrison, Jr. as Taka, Theo Somolu as Taka Cub, Tiffany Boone as Sarabi, Kagiso Lediga as Young Rafiki, Preston Nyman as Zazu, Blue Ivy Carter as Kiara, Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros, Thandiwe Newton as Eshe, Lennie James as Obasi, Disney Legend Anika Noni Rose as Afia, and Keith David as Masego.

"We have all poured ourselves into the creation of this film," Pierre says. "We've been at it for a few years, and we've given it all of our love, our energy, our care, and our enthusiasm."

Rankins adds, "I'm still pinching myself, because it was a very surreal experience."

It was a similarly surreal experience for Harrison, who was born in 1994 - the same year Walt Disney Animation Studios' The Lion King was released in theaters. "I remember how incredible Scar was," he recalls. "I remember singing along to 'I Just Can't Wait to Be King.' I remember playing the video game on the Sega Genesis - and not being able to beat it!"

But what Harrison loved most of all was imagining backstories for the film's characters.

"One of my favorite scenes in The Lion King is when Simba says, 'Uncle Scar, why are you so weird?' And Scar responds, 'Oh, you have no idea,'" Harrison says. "So, when I got the script for this film, I was like, 'I can't wait to figure out everything that Scar knows about himself.'"

Bursting with Pride

Even before they were cast, Harrison and Pierre were mindful of the characters Jeremy Irons and Disney Legend James Earl Jones created alongside the original film's animators. "It's been really cool being able to take from the incredible Jeremy Irons and Chiwetel Ejiofor [from the 2019 film], and all the people who have played Scar before, and then create my own version of the character," Harrison says. "It's just been a dream come true."

Pierre adds, "First and foremost, James Earl Jones is the king. He's one of my greatest inspirations as a man, as an artist, as a creator. To be gifted the opportunity to, in some small way, continue the legacy of a role he originated beautifully and palpably, I feel very privileged and honored. I hope somewhere he is watching this, smiling. It's been a real gift."

Eichner and Rogen were also excited to be unexpectedly returning to their roles. "I was excited and flattered," Eichner says. "They had to explain how it would make sense that our characters would be in this, because it was not intuitive. It's always nice to be invited back."

"We bring the comedic relief - and other kinds of relief," Rogen laughs. "We don't have as much singing as I would like, but we do have some singing. It's a well-rounded appearance."

Theo Somolu and Braelyn Rankins attend the world premiere of Disney's Mufasa: The Lion King at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on December 9, 2024.

Continuing the tradition that made the animated film established, Mufasa: The Lion King roars to life on the big screen thanks, in large part, to the music. According to Rankins, the new songs - including "I Always Wanted a Brother," "Bye Bye," and "We Go Together" - are fun and infectious, and he's excited for audiences to experience them in a theater. "The music feels very nostalgic. It's almost like a callback to the original film," the actor says. "Lin worked on it, so you know it's extremely catchy; I'll find myself singing it all the time."

"It's so good," Harrison agrees. "My first question was, 'Do I get a song? Do I get my own song? Am I going to be doing any duets? The boy got to use his pipes! I did my best Scar."

Building a Legacy

Thirty years after The Lion King became a cultural phenomenon, its characters, music, and stories remain resonant as ever with audiences around the world. "People like lions, people like kings - but I think it's Timon and Pumbaa they like most," Rogen jokes. But Pierre knows it's much deeper than that: "Every day was a pinch-me moment. We felt very privileged to be part of this story that has such a special place in the global community."

As audiences immerse themselves in an all-new adventure, Somulu hopes they identify with Mufasa's arc. "For him to become king," he says, "it shows us that anything is possible."

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