‘Mufasa: The Lion King’: Disney Teases First Look at CinemaCon
The anticipation for Disney’s ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ sequel reached fever pitch as Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins treated attendees at CinemaCon to an exclusive first look at the film’s teaser trailer.
On the second day of the event in Las Vegas, theatre owners were treated to a glimpse of the stunning visuals and captivating tone of the upcoming sequel. The teaser, which promises an epic journey across Africa, received resounding applause from the audience, reported The Hollywood Reporter. The teaser hinted at new themes and introduced a young cub who will embark on a transformative journey.
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Director Barry Jenkins, known for his acclaimed work on ‘Moonlight,’ shared insights into the film’s production, revealing that it was a deeply personal project for him. Recalling his own childhood experiences, Jenkins spoke about the therapeutic impact of the original 1994 ‘Lion King’ film, which he watched countless times with his nephews.
“When the script for ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ came across my desk, I was reminded of watching these two very young people deal with very complex emotions in a way that I felt they were very cared for,” Jenkins explained. “This film explores Mufasa’s rise to become the iconic king that we all know. And yet what I love about it is that it’s so full of heart and it helps all these kids, like these same kids that I helped raise.”
The highly-anticipated sequel, set for release on 20th December, will delve into the origins of beloved characters like Mufasa, Timon, Pumbaa and Rafiki. Returning cast members Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen will reprise their roles, joined by newcomers Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr., who voice Mufasa and Scar, respectively.
Jenkins expressed gratitude for the opportunity to transition from indie filmmaking to a major studio production, describing it as “one of the best decisions” of his life.
