Aaron Pierre, voice of the titular character in the upcomingMufasa: The Lion Kingmovie,says he drew inspiration for his Disney debut from an unexpected source. BeforeMufasahits theaters, Pierre will appear in Netflix’s action thrillerRebel Ridge, a movie about a former Marine uncovering corruption in a small town. It’s also a movie being hailed asone of the best of the yearso far. Now, Pierre explains toComicbook.comhow his work on the Netflix movie with director Jeremy Saulnier helped shape his role in the upcoming Disney film.
“I think for me, I really have to give [director Jeremy Saulnier] his flowers and I really have to articulate my gratitude. I think that this is an individual who has numerous traits that I don’t possess, so I was deeply grateful to have the writer/director nearby and accessible on and off set at any time to answer any questions that I had, and really do any deep dives that I needed.
It’s not easy to bring such nuanced characters to life. As much as it’s a privilege and it’s a tremendous opportunity that you’re excited by…it’s deeply challenging, so it was great to have Jeremy available all the time to really just work out how we’re going to bring this individual to life in an authentic and hopefully truthful way that resonates.”
Mufasa: The Lion King
Mufasa: The Lion King is a prequel to the live-action remake of the original Disney animated film, The Lion King. The film will follow Mufasa in his early days; further plot details are currently under wraps. The film will likely explore Mufasa and Scar’s relationship and how it became as strained as it did. In the film, Timon and Pumba will return, with Billy Eicher and Seth Rogen reprising their roles.
It’s not that playing an ex-Marine wasjust like portraying Mufasa, it’s more that gaining more experience in different kinds of movie-making and character-creation is something you may roll over into a future role. The two movies have just about nothing in common, but Pierre explained how his life experiences helped him during the making ofMufasa: The Lion King.
“Interestingly, I think – I only wrappedMufasathis year and we’ve been doing that for a good few years now. I think in a way, similar to life, your life experiences inform your future life experiences. Similarly, the opportunities that you’re gifted as an actor, as an artist, what you learn and what you harnessed from one job, you take those lessons that you absorbed and you bring them to the next thing to hopefully enhance your capability to bring something to life.”
Can Mufasa: The Lion King Match the $1 Billion Success of the First Movie?
Before being surpassedby fellow Disney movieInside Out 2, 2019’sThe Lion Kingwas the highest-grossing animated film of all time, andMufasa: The Lion Kingwill surely be looking to take the crown back. It won’t be an easy task asInside Out 2has secured 1.6 billion and counting at the box office so far. But, if the follow-up can capture the same audience as its 2019 predecessor, then Mufasa could once again take his rightful place on the throne.
Unlike 2019’sThe Lion King, Mufasa doesn’t have the benefit of a summer release. However, the December release does give it a nice window for families, with many looking to head to the theater to celebrate the festive season.
Mufasa: The Lion King Director Reacts to Fans Saying He’s ‘Too Talented’ for ‘Soulless’ Disney
Barry Jenkins responds to fans criticizing his involvement with “Iger’s soulless machine” after the Mufasa trailer dropped online.
Directed by Barry Jenkins from a screenplay by Jeff Nathanson, the star-studded cast features Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Tiffany Boone, Lennie James, Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, John Kani, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, and Blue Ivy Carter and reveals thebackstory of the titular Lion King, Mufasa, who begins life as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka - the heir to a royal bloodline.
Mufasa: The Lion Kingis scheduled to be released on July 24, 2025.
