Mufasa: The Lion King Cast Roars Onto 8 New Character Posters

As a die-hard fan of Disney’s iconic films and a connoisseur of captivating stories, I am beyond thrilled about the upcoming release of “Mufasa: The Lion King“. Having grown up with the 1994 version, the memories of Mufasa’s wisdom, Simba’s journey, and Scar’s villainy are deeply etched in my heart.

On December 20, eight character posters were unveiled by Disney ahead of the return to the Pride Lands. These posters showcased the main cast of “Mufasa: The Lion King”, a movie that serves both as a prequel and sequel to the 2019 release, “The Lion King”. Directed by Academy Award winner Barry Jenkins (“If Beale Street Could Talk” and “Moonlight”), this film follows the tale of an orphan who will one day become king of the Pride Lands. The young Mufasa, played by Aaron Pierre from “Rebel Ridge”, takes over the role originally played by the late James Earl Jones. Through a series of flashbacks, the wise mandrill Rafiki, portrayed by John Kani, shares with young lion cub Kiara (in her film debut), daughter of King Simba (Donald Glover) and Queen Nala (Beyoncé Knowles-Carter), the legend of Mufasa.

With the comeback of the pair of meerkat Timon (Billy Eichner) and warthog Pumbaa (Seth Rogen), singing Hakuna Matata, Disney France unveiled posters that also showcase Zazu, now played by Preston Nyman instead of John Oliver, as well as young Rafiki (Kagiso Lediga). The lion royalty includes Sarabi, who is set to become Mufasa’s queen in the future; Taka, his foster brother who will later adopt the name Scar, and Kiros, a white lion and the new king, played by Mads Mikkelsen.

RELATED: Mufasa: The Lion King Changes Scar’s Backstory

The cast includes Thandiwe Newton (Solo: A Star Wars Story) as Taka’s mother, Eshe; Lennie James (Fear the Walking Dead) as Taka’s father, Obasi; Anika Noni Rose (The Princess and the Frog) as Mufasa’s mother, Afia; and Keith David (Spawn) as Mufasa’s father, Masego. Additional voices include Braelyn Rankins (Lady and the Tramp) as cub Mufasa; Theo Somolu (Mighty Express) as cub Taka; and Folake Olowofoyeku (Bob Hearts Abishola), Joanna Jones (Good Trouble), Thuso Mbedu (The Woman King), Sheila Atim (Pinocchio), Abdul Salis (The Wheel of Time) and Dominique Jennings (Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild).

As I was once a lonely cub, “The Lion King” story introduces me, Mufasa, who was orphaned and lost until I encountered Taka, a noble lion and the future ruler of our lineage. This fortuitous encounter kickstarts an incredible adventure for us, a motley crew of outcasts, as we embark on a quest to discover our destinies. Along the way, our friendship will be put to the test as we band together to elude a dangerous and relentless adversary.

Jenkins shared during Disney’s D23 convention that the team they’ve gathered for this project is merely a fragment of our plans to breathe life into the tale of Mufasa and Scar, as depicted in “The Lion King” from 1994. The movie left an unforgettable impression on him, with its music stirring every emotion while the story unfolded: a father passing on his legacy to his son, a pride being shattered and rebuilt, and a young lion embracing his destiny. It’s a privilege to delve into Mufasa’s past history.

Featuring fresh tunes from Lin-Manuel Miranda (known for his work on Moana), as well as original collaborators Mark Mancina and Lebo M. from The Lion King, the highly anticipated movie titled Mufasa: The Lion King is set to premiere in cinemas on December 20th.