Mufasa: The Lion King trailer out: Discover the rise of an orphaned cub to king

The highly anticipated trailer for Disney's Mufasa: The Lion King has finally dropped, offering a glimpse into the epic origin story of one of the most beloved characters in cinematic history. Set to hit theaters on December 20, this new chapter delves into how an orphaned cub rose to become the legendary king of the Pride Lands.

Mufasa: The Lion King explores the remarkable journey of Mufasa, a young lion cub who, after being orphaned and left to fend for himself, embarks on an extraordinary adventure that shapes his destiny. The story is told through flashbacks as Rafiki recounts the legend of Mufasa to Kiara, the curious young daughter of Simba and Nala. With Timon and Pumbaa adding their signature humor to the narrative, the film introduces Mufasa's early days and his fateful encounter with Taka, the lion prince who would later become Scar. Their meeting sparks an expansive and dangerous quest, testing the bonds of an unlikely group of misfits as they face a formidable foe.

The film boasts an impressive voice cast, blending new talent with familiar voices from the original series. Aaron Pierre takes on the role of Mufasa, while Kelvin Harrison Jr. voices Taka, who welcomes Mufasa into his family. The cast also includes Tiffany Boone as Sarabi, Kagiso Lediga as Young Rafiki, Preston Nyman as Zazu, and Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros, a powerful lion with his own ambitions for the pride. Thandiwe Newton and Lennie James lend their voices as Taka’s parents, Eshe and Obasi, while Anika Noni Rose and Keith David portray Mufasa’s parents, Afia and Masego.

Returning to reprise their iconic roles are John Kani as Rafiki, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, Billy Eichner as Timon, Donald Glover as Simba, and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala. A special highlight is the introduction of Blue Ivy Carter as Kiara, Simba and Nala’s daughter.

The film’s musical landscape is equally star-studded, with celebrated songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda penning new songs for the film. Miranda joins forces with legendary composers Mark Mancina and Lebo M, whose work on The Lion King has become iconic. Miranda expressed his excitement about contributing to the film’s rich musical legacy, stating, “It's been a joy working alongside Barry Jenkins to bring Mufasa's story to life, and we can't wait for audiences to experience this film in theaters."

Directed by Barry Jenkins, known for his work on Moonlight and produced by Adele Romanski and Mark Ceryak, Mufasa: The Lion King combines live-action filmmaking techniques with photorealistic computer-generated imagery. Executive producer Peter Tobyansen ensures that the film stays true to the spirit of its predecessors while offering a fresh and emotionally resonant narrative.