Barry Jenkins, the director behind movies such as Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk, may not have seemed like the obvious choice to helm Mufasa: The Lion King, but he’s not about to let people accuse him of selling out.

The first teaser trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King officially debuted yesterday, and Barry Jenkins shared it on social media. This prompted some to say that the director is “too good and talented for [Bob] Iger’s soulless machine,” but Jenkins was quick to defend himself. “There is nothing soulless about The Lion King,” Jenkins wrote on X. “For decades children have sat in theaters all over the world experiencing collective grief for the first time, engaging Shakespeare for the first time, across aisles in myriad languages. A most potent vessel for communal empathy.“

Another commenter chimed in, saying, “Come on man. I interviewed you when you premiered Moonlight at TIFF, and that Barry Jenkins wouldn’t have said what you just said. You can do a Disney movie for the check, in order to work on your passion projects at a later time, but you don’t have to shill like this.” In response, Jenkins said, “Bruh what kind of logic is that?“

Jenkins appeared on CinemaCon in Las Vegas earlier this month to promote Mufasa: The Lion King, explaining that he had seen the original Disney animated movie over 200 times and knew he had to take the job. “When the script came to me I was fascinated by watching these complex people dealing with complex emotions…this film explores Mufasa rise to become the heroic king that we know,” Jenkins said.

“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,” reads the synopsis. “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.“

Mufasa: The Lion King will hit theaters on December 20th.

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The Circle of Life begins for Mufasa, the famous King of Pride Rock. Here, we are introduced to him as a lion cub. The official synopsis from Disney reads, “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.”

New and returning cast members were called on to lend their voices to the film:

• Aaron Pierre as Mufasa
• Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka, a lion prince with a bright future who accepts Mufasa into his family as a brother
• Tiffany Boone as Sarabi
• Kagiso Lediga as Young Rafiki
• Preston Nyman as Zazu
• Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros, a formidable lion with big plans for his pride 
• Thandiwe Newton as Taka’s mother, Eshe
• Lennie James as Taka’s father, Obasi 
• Anika Noni Rose as Mufasa’s mother, Afia
• Keith David as Mufasa’s father, Masego
• John Kani as Rafiki
• Seth Rogen as Pumbaa
• Billy Eichner as Timon
• Donald Glover as Simba
• Introducing Blue Ivy Carter as Kiara, daughter of King Simba and Queen Nala
• And Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala

Additional casting includes Braelyn Rankins, Theo Somolu, Folake Olowofoyeku, Joanna Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, Abdul Salis and Dominique Jennings. Celebrated award-winning songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda is writing the film’s songs produced by Mark Mancina and Miranda, with additional music and performances by Lebo M.

Director Barry Jenkins took the stage to promote the Lion King prequel at CinemaCon, adding that he had seen the original Disney animated movie over 200 times and knew he had to take the gig. “When the script came to me I was fascinated by watching these complex people dealing with complex emotions…this film explores Mufasa rise to become the heroic king that we know,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins wanted to make a movie that tackled the same issues as the first, hoping that it would help a new generation of children become who they really are. The teaser trailer here matches closely with the footage described from the preview at CinemaCon. One stand out poignant moment that was noted was in a voiceover where Rifiki designates the difference between Mufasa and his future son, Simba, “This is the story of a lion who is born without a drop of nobility in his blood.” According to our own Chris Bumbray, the animation is even more impressive than Jon Favreau’s movie with some huge set pieces.

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Disney’s presentation at CinemaCon made sure to carve out some time to focus on their upcoming animated movies. We’ve already covered Inside Out 2, but CinemaCon audiences were also treated to teasers for Mufasa: The Lion King and Moana 2.

Director Barry Jenkins took the stage to promote the Lion King prequel, adding that he had seen the original Disney animated movie over 200 times and knew he had to take the gig. “When the script came to me I was fascinated by watching these complex people dealing with complex emotions…this film explores Mufasa rise to become the heroic king that we know,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins wanted to make a movie that tackled the same issues as the first, hoping that it would help a new generation of children become who they really are. The teaser trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King then began with those iconic notes from Circle of Life before zipping around many different parts of Africa as a young Mufasa runs free and gets into trouble, just like his future offspring. In a voiceover, Rifiki says, “This is the story of a lion who is born without a drop of nobility in his blood.” According to our own Chris Bumbray, the animation is even more impressive than Jon Favreau’s movie with some huge set pieces.

Next up was Moana 2, which was introduced by none other than Dwayne Johnson, flanked by a group of Polynesian dancers. “It’s so much deeper of a movie to me, and it’s so much deeper of a movie to Disney as well,” Johnson said. “We are so excited to welcome back audiences all over the world to a new adventure.” Johnson then played a clip from the sequel, which finds Moana returning to her home island and the debut of a brand-new song, “We’re Back.” At least one character isn’t big on belting out the tune, as they ask “Do we have to sing?” To which everyone responds, “Yes, we have to sing!“

“Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic animated musical Moana 2 takes audiences on an expansive new voyage with Moana, Maui and a brand-new crew of unlikely seafarers,” reads the official description. “After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.“

Moana 2 will hit theaters on November 27th, followed by Mufasa: The Lion King on December 20th.

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Shortly after denying Nelson Peltz a seat on the Disney board, the House of Mouse is sharing first looks at two of their upcoming films, Moana 2 and Mufasa: The Lion King. The Hollywood Handle was the first to share the Mufasa image, which Disney debuted as part of the studio’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The picture for Mufasa: The Lion King depicts a young Mufasa standing at the edge of a cliff while staring out at a desaturated Pride Land. The Barry Jenkins-directed sequel to Jon Favreau’s 2019 live-action hybrid focuses on Simba, having become king of the Pride Lands, and is determined for his cub to follow in his paw prints while the origins of his late father Mufasa are explored.

First look at ‘MUFASA: THE LION KING.’

Releasing in theaters on December 20. pic.twitter.com/O902KU3K66

— The Hollywood Handle (@HollywoodHandle) April 3, 2024

Mufasa: The Lion King pads into theaters on December 24, 2024, to get a piece of that sweet holiday box office. Linda Woolverton, Irene Mecchi, and Jonathan Roberts wrote the screenplay, with Seth Rogen, Kelvin Harris Jr., Billy Eichner, Aaron Pierre, and John Kani leading the cast.

Meanwhile, Disney officially confirmed that Dwayne Johnson and Auli’i Cravalho will return for Moana 2, celebrating the news with a new image from the forthcoming animated sequel. The still features an older, more confident Moana setting off into the water while holding an oar with Maui’s fish hook and a heart carved into it. If you look carefully, you’ll see an island cliff face with what looks like a multi-eyes sea creature emerging from the waters below.

New look at ‘MOANA 2.’

Releasing in theaters on November 27. pic.twitter.com/XG5MCzcbt7

— The Hollywood Handle (@HollywoodHandle) April 3, 2024

“Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic animated musical Moana 2 takes audiences on an expansive new voyage with Moana, Maui and a brand-new crew of unlikely seafarers,” the official description reads. “After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced. Directed by Dave Derrick Jr. with music by Grammy winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa’i, and three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina, Moana 2 opens in theaters on November 27, 2024.”

Disney fans can expect more information about both films to surface in the coming months as Disney prepares to dominate the holiday box office charts. Are you excited about Mufasa: The Lion King or Moana 2? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Disney has been in the headlines already in 2024 with the copyright for their first Mickey Mouse cartoon, Steamboat Willie, falling into the public domain. The studio powerhouse had a pretty flat 2023 as just about every big release from them underperformed at the box office. They are hoping to shake that off and hit 2024 running. What can we expect from the House Of Mouse this year? Let’s take a look at the Disney 2024 release schedule.

The First Omen – April 5th

It has been 18 years since we’ve had a theatrical film in the Omen series. Well, they are trying again with this prequel that will set the stage for Damien’s arrival. With the buzz that The Exorcist: Believer was getting when it was announced that it was on the way had to get executives wondering what religious horror IP they had sitting in the vault. Since Disney had acquired Fox Studios, it dusted the series off and pushed it into production. After how The Exorcist sequel underperformed, they probably wished they hadn’t.

Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes – May 24th

We’re going back to the Planet Of The Apes this summer. The previous three entries in the series were enjoyed by critics and fans alike. Some miss the fun masks of the original series, which is understandable. This film will push the series further into the future, where apes remain the dominant species. Will fans turn out for a new set of characters even if it’s still the setting we have seen before? More than likely. The series has built goodwill with fans, and the creative teams have told some great stories so far.

Inside Out 2 – June 14th

This Pixar sequel will travel to one of the scariest places ever seen. The emotions of a teenager. Those of us who made it to the other side of adolescence shiver at the thought of reliving those years over again. The first film was a big hit, and exploring new emerging emotions would be fun to watch. This will probably be a pretty big hit for the studio, but will it be in the theater or on Disney+ after it hits streaming? Many people wait until streaming now, which could be a scenario that happens here.

Deadpool 3 – July 26th

This is the only theatrical film Marvel is putting out in 2024 (unless something slides up into later summer here soon), and fans will probably appreciate the breather. It’s probably a good idea since the excitement of Deadpool finally coming to the MCU will bring people out in droves. With the plot seeming to be around the destruction of the Fox Marvel brand, this could pull a Spider-Man: No Way Home and be a crossover fans have wanted to see for a while. Fox had control of The X-Men, Fantastic Four, and Daredevil. With this film, it seems like we’ll get a taste of all of them before Deadpool hops off for greener pastures. This might be the most anticipated movie on Disney’s 2024 release schedule.

Alien: Romulus – August 16th

After this many films featuring the xenomorph, has the luster worn off? When Ridley Scott returned to the franchise with Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, fans were less than impressed. They are setting this film between Alien and Aliens somewhere else in the galaxy. Maybe that will add enough freshness to make fans want to check it out again. Director Fede Alvarez has shown with his films Evil Dead 2013 and Don’t Breathe that he can craft a suspenseful story. Maybe this franchise will benefit from adding some of the horror back into it.

The Amateur – November 8th

John Wick has been ruling the assassin genre for a bit now, and it seems like some studios are catching up with them. The Beekeeper and Argylle are coming out this year, delving into the world of spies and assassins. This film is an adaptation of a book that was previously done in 1981. It would seem this might be another subgenre that runs into the ground before it’s all said and done. Luckily, this one has a frequent comeback, so a new film of this ilk is always coming out. The cast seems fun, with Rami Malek and Laurence Fishburn leading the charge.

Mufasa: The Lion King – December 20th

Disney has never been afraid of remaking its own content if that means fans will drop some dollars on it. The big trend now is doing live-action remakes of their animated catalog. This sequel to The Lion King lives outside the live-action part since it’s all CGI but falls into what Disney has been trying to accomplish over the last decade. With The Little Mermaid underperforming last year, it’s only a matter of time before they pull back on these types of remakes and find something else to do. It would be nice if it were something original, as you’ll notice every title on this list across three of the studio’s brands are sequels, remakes, or a prequel.

Are you looking forward to anything on Disney’s 2024 release schedule? Let us know in the comments.

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