This is the year that filmmaker Barry Jenkins (“Moonlight”) will release his first film in over six years. He hasn’t directed a feature since 2018’s “If Beale Street Could Talk.”
However, don’t expect a swooning indie from the critically lauded Jenkins. He’s rather decided to cash a paycheck with Disney and helm the ‘Lion King’ spin-off “Mufasa.” I’m more than open to his interpretation of the classic franchise, but there are obviously some doubting the potential on this one.
Don’t tell that to “Mufasa” star Aaron Pierre, he plays Scar in this prequel. Pierre believes that this will be “the most artistic and exciting Disney movie” ever, adding that “Barry has a way of making things look beautiful.” Let’s hope he’s right.
It was in September of 2021, news broke that Jenkins was set to direct this Disney-backed movie. It shocked many in the industry, but it shouldn’t be that surprising. Jenkins’ first three films, “Medicine for Melancholy,” “Moonlight” and “If Beale Street Could Talk,” were not hard-earners at the box-office. The writer-director probably needed the cash.
Jeff Nathanson, the writer behind the misbegotten 2019 “Lion King,” is back to script the sequel. That film, directed by Jon Favreau, was horrendously bland, there was none of the excitement and sense of adventure of the original 1994 animated classic.
At D23, an official title was confirmed: “Mufasa: The Lion King.” Edgy. A Summer 2024 release date was already put in the books. Jenkins elaborated in his presentation that he saw himself in the titular character: "Mufasa is great because of the family and the friends that he has." How cute.
Of course, with Jenkins at the helm of the sequel, there is the slight possibility that something special could arise, but, with the full mouse house machine backing this expensive sequel, there are some doubts.
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