This is the year that 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 have my reservations about this one, but it should obviously not be ignored due to Jenkins’ involvement.
A first trailer has been released by Disney. Lin Manuel Miranda is writing the songs for Jenkins’ ‘Lion King’ prequel. It’s also been confirmed that Donald Glover and Beyoncé will return as Simba and Nala.
Here’s what I wrote on 04.04.24:
“Mufasa” star Aaron Pierre, he plays Scar, 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.
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 come as much of a surprise. Jenkins’ first three films, “Medicine for Melancholy,” “Moonlight” and “If Beale Street Could Talk,” were not hard-earners at the box-office. He 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. A sequel was not needed.
At D23, 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 and nostalgia-driven sequel, there are obviously some doubting that he can pull it off.
“Mufasa: The Lion King” hits theaters on December 20, 2024.