Every kid born in the 80s and early 90s knows the dark trauma that The Lion King inflicted on us back in 1994. Simba’s father, Mufasa, reaching out to his brother Scar for help only to be pushed down into a herd of stampeding wildebeests. We hadn’t felt something so deeply emotional since Artax was lost in the swamp. How did they get to that place of hate? Personally I’m torn on finding out the story. With all prequels you have to ask, “Is this better in our imagination?” There is such a thing as over explaining a story or, let’s be honest, just explaining it wrong. Mufasa: The Lion King aims to take a swing at that story, if this trailer is to be believed it seems like one worth telling.
Now, there’s the other obvious red flag…it’s using the photorealistic CG that was used in the remake of The Lion King and not that beautiful cell shaded animation from the glory days. I’m sure a chunk of you are checking out right then and there, but maybe take a look first. I have to admit that it does look much better then it did last time around and while there may be some suspension of disbelief with all of the characters coming together so cleanly I think that the storytelling device, of Rafiki telling the story to Simba and friends, will allow everything to properly fall into place.
Check out the trailer below and make sure to look for Mufasa: The Lion King only in theaters, December 20th, 2024.
Official Synopsis:
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. 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.
