Barry Jenkins’ Mufasa Movie Has James Earl Jones’ ‘Blessing,’ Says Lin-Manuel Miranda

Lin-Manuel Miranda says that Barry Jenkins’ Mufasa movie received the late James Earl Jones’ blessing.

Mufasa: The Lion King will be released in United States theaters this coming December. Directed by Moonlight’s Jenkins, the film is a prequel to 2019’s The Lion King and tells the origin story of Mufasa (voiced by Aaron Pierre) and Taka (voiced by Kelvin Harrison Jr.), who later becomes known as Scar. Miranda wrote six original songs for the movie.

The Mufasa character was famously voiced by Jones in 1994’s The Lion King. Jones, who passed away earlier this month at age 93, also voiced the character in 1998’s The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride, 2015’s The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar, and the 2019 version of The Lion King.

What did Lin-Manuel Miranda say about Mufasa: The Lion King?

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Miranda said he was unsure whether or not Jones saw a final cut of the movie before he passed away. Miranda was sure, however, that Jenkins had previously spoken to Jones about the movie.

“I know we had his blessing,” Miranda said.

“Exploring the unlikely rise of the beloved king of the Pride Lands, Mufasa: The Lion King enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick,” the synopsis for the movie reads. “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.”

With the screenplay written by Jeff Nathanson, the voice cast of the movie also includes John Kani as Rafiki, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, Billy Eichner as Timon, Donald Glover as Simba, Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros, Thandiwe Newton as Eshe, Tiffany Boone as Sarabi, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, Blue Ivy Carter as Kiara, and Keith David as Masego.

Mufasa: The Lion King releases in United States theaters on December 20, 2024.