Director Barry Jenkins, famously known for his work on the Oscar-winning film Moonlight, recently found himself in a position to defend the upcoming movie Mufasa: The Lion King. After a social media post criticized the film as just another product of Disney’s soulless machine, Jenkins took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to express his disagreement with this sentiment.
Jenkins passionately argued that there is nothing soulless about The Lion King. He highlighted how the film has been a significant part of many children’s lives for decades, providing them with experiences of collective grief for the first time and introducing them to Shakespeare in various languages. Through this perspective, Jenkins views The Lion King as a potent vessel for communal empathy, emphasizing the emotional impact it has had on audiences worldwide.
It may surprise some to learn that Jenkins is taking the helm of Mufasa, considering it is his first time directing a film since 2018’s If Beale Street Could Talk. Prior to that, he gained critical acclaim for directing Moonlight, which earned the prestigious title of Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Despite his impressive filmography, Jenkins’s involvement with The Lion King prequel was announced in 2020, marking a new chapter in his career.
Mufasa: The Lion King is set to explore both prequel and sequel elements to the photorealistic remake of The Lion King from 2019. The recently released teaser trailer introduces Aaron Pierre as the voice of Mufasa and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka, the character later known as Scar. Additionally, familiar voices such as Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, Billy Eichner as Timon, and John Kani as Rafiki will return. Fans can also anticipate the reprisal of Donald Glover and Beyoncé as Simba and Nala, respectively.
Through Jenkins’s passionate defense of The Lion King and his role in shaping the upcoming prequel, it is evident that the film holds a special place in his heart. As audiences eagerly anticipate Mufasa: The Lion King, they can look forward to a new chapter of this beloved story, guided by the vision of a talented director who believes in the power of storytelling to evoke communal empathy.
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