Aaron Pierre may be taking over as Mufasa in Disney’s live-action prequelMufasa: The Lion King, but he has not lost sight of James Earl Jones’ time in the role. Set to arrive in theaters on December 20,Mufasa: The Lion Kingis a direct follow-up to the 2019 live action remake ofThe Lion King. Featuring the return of several key castmembers, including Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, John Kani, and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, and will focus on Kani’s Rafiki retelling the story of Mufasa’s youth and eventual rise as King of the Pride Lands.
Speaking withGamesRadar+ahead ofMufasa: The Lion King’sforthcoming release,Pierre pays tribute to Jones whose voice has been synonymous with Mufasa since the original1994 animatedThe Lion King.Calling the late actor a personal hero, he credits Jones’ performance as Mufasa as a “guiding light”that provided him with insight into helping develop his own, adolescent version of the character. Check out his comments below:
James Earl Jones is a hero of mine, and a hero of many. He was one of my greatest inspirations, from his stage work to his extensive filmography, to his voice work. He’s timeless. We celebrate him. We champion him. And he’ll be greatly missed.
In regards to this, his portrayal of Mufasa was my guiding light, actually. It gave me clarity. It gave me direction. It gave me insight. I think my greatest challenge was to discover the adolescent version of this Lion King who has an abundance of wisdom and understanding and perspective. What was the trajectory of that lion? How did that lion arrive at that place? That was my greatest challenge. And I’m very grateful to Barry [Jenkins] for guiding me on that journey.
What Pierre Taking Over From Jones Means For The Lion King Prequel
Mufasa Was One Of Jones' Most Iconic Roles
Few actors have commanded such a regal and instantly recognizable voice as the late Jones. In an impressive career that spanned over six decades, Jones was responsible for lending his considerable talent to scores of memorable roles. However, for many audiences, the role ofThe Lion King’sMufusa stands proudly alongside his tenure as the voice ofStar Wars’Darth Vaderas his most notable and highly regarded.
While Jones’ inimitable vocals will never be truly matched by anyone else, the difference between Pierre’s version of the character and the older Mufasa could help emphasize the transformative nature of the journey that his character undertakes inMufasa: The Lion King.
While Pierre is not the first actor to attempt to follow in Jones’ enormous footsteps as Mufasa, with the 2015 Disney animated seriesThe Lion Guardalso casting Gary Anthony Williams in the role, there is still considerable pressure for him to succeed in the wake of Jones’ iconic contributions to the character. Even when tasked with playing a younger, adolescent version of the character,comparisons to Jones’ vocals are inevitable, and Pierre’s performance will likely draw considerable scrutiny from fans of both Jones’ career andThe Lion Kingfranchiseas a whole.
Our Take On Mufasa’s Newest Voice
Recasting The Young Mufasa May Still Work In The Prequel’s Favor
Though it is still fartoo early to tell whether Pierre’s version of Mufasa will resonate with audiencesin the same way that Jones’ version did, the actor’s decision to draw inspiration directly from his predecessor bodes well for his chances. Moreover, while Jones’ inimitable vocals will never be truly matched by anyone else, the difference between Pierre’s version of the character and the older Mufasa could help emphasize the transformative nature of the journey that his character undertakes inMufasa: The Lion King’s story.
Mufasa Hints The Movie Is Ignoring Its Best Prequel Story
The trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King features very little of one character, and this suggests the movie is ignoring its best prequel story.
Not yet the wise, and unquestionably regal King of the Pride Lands, Pierre has the unique opportunity to reveal a previously unseen side to Mufasa. Already set to explore an unexpected take on the relationship betweenMufasa and his brother Taka, who would later come to be known as Scar, the character’s new vocal casting may ultimately work in the movie’s favor despite the inevitable comparisons. Whether Pierre’s Mufasa can live up to Jones’ version inMufasa: The Lion Kingremains to be seen, but his deep respect for the late actor’s enormous legacy is a positive sign.
Mufasa: The Lion King
Cast
Mufasa: The Lion King explores the origins of the beloved character Mufasa, focusing on his youth as a lost cub who encounters Taka, a royal heir. Their meeting initiates an epic journey of self-discovery and destiny, featuring a group of misfit companions navigating the challenges of their world.
