New ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ Images Reveal First Look at Villain Kiros

Fans are learning more about the much-anticipated prequel ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’, which will examine the early years of Mufasa’s (voiced by Aaron Pierre) life prior to his becoming Simba’s father and the ruler of the Pride Lands, as the film’s release date draws closer. Entertainment Weekly has revealed fresh information and exclusive pictures of Kiros, a powerful new antagonist with Mads Mikkelsen’s voice (‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secret of Dumbledore’) that will be released in theaters on 20th December.

The pictures show Kiros in two different settings: the well-known savannah and a snowy peak. Kiros seems to be a formidable opponent for Mufasa, with his white mane and aggressive manner, which could influence the future king’s personality. Kiros appears to be a vicious foe, much like Scar in the original narrative. According to Mikkelsen, Kiros is a strong leader who views everyone outside of his group as a threat and feels that an aggressive approach is necessary to preserve his pride.

Image Courtesy: People

According to director Barry Jenkins (Moonlight), Kiros’ unique look was influenced by the genetic makeup of real-life lions, which gave the character’s design more realism. Jenkins was especially eager to present a character that would contradict Mufasa’s depth and strength.

Jeff Nathanson, who also wrote the script for the 2019 adaptation of ‘The Lion King’, wrote the screenplay for ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’. The voice actors in the movie include Thandiwe Newton as Eshe, John Kani as Rafiki, Billy Eichner as Timon, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka.

On 20th December, ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ will make its theatrical debut, ushering in a thrilling new era in this well-loved tale.

–Farheen Ali