The Walt Disney Studios has announced that Mufasa: The Lion King tickets are now on sale. Exploring the unlikely rise of the beloved king of the Pride Lands, the anticipated film opens in theaters on December 20, 2024.
In a new featurette, director Barry Jenkins, songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda, and members of the ensemble cast take viewers behind the scenes of the film with some insight and personal inspiration. The studio has also released a TV spot and character banners for the film.
The big-screen adventure enlists Rafiki to relay the story of Mufasa to young 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 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.
The film stars Aaron Pierre (Mufasa), Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Taka/Scar), Tiffany Boone (Sarabi), Kagiso Lediga (Young Rafiki), Preston Nyman (Zazu), Mads Mikkelsen (Kiros), Thandiwe Newton (Eshe), Lennie James (Obasi), Anika Noni Rose (Afia), Keith David (Masego), and John Kani (Rafiki).
The movie also stars Seth Rogen (Pumbaa), Billy Eichner (Timon), Donald Glover (Simba), Blue Ivy Carter (Kiara), Braelyn Rankins (Young Mufasa), Theo Somolu (Young Taka), Folake Olowofoyeku, Joanna Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, Abdul Salis, Dominique Jennings, and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter (Nala).
Blending live-action filmmaking techniques with photoreal computer-generated imagery, the all-new feature film is produced by Adele Romanski & Mark Ceryak and executive-produced by Peter Tobyansen.
Mufasa: The Lion King features original songs by award-winning songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda and an original score by Dave Metzger. The film has been rated PG by the MPA for action/violence, peril, and some thematic elements.
Mirko Parlevliet has been reporting on the entertainment industry since 1998 and founded Vital Thrills to provide the latest news on streaming, movies, and TV shows. He previously created the websites ComingSoon, SuperHeroHype, and ShockTillYouDrop.