Mufasa: The Lion King Star Discusses Disney’s Reimagined Classics
The star of Mufasa: The Lion King shares insights on Disney’s evolving storytelling and the importance of embracing new generations
Mufasa, Disney, Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Toronto, California
Toronto: So, Barry Jenkins has brought us a new take on The Lion King with Mufasa: The Lion King, and it’s hitting theaters now. This film dives into Mufasa’s backstory, voiced by Aaron Pierre, and explores his complicated relationship with Scar, who’s known as Taka when he’s younger, voiced by Kelvin Harrison Jr. The cast is pretty star-studded too, featuring Beyoncé and her daughter Blue Ivy, along with other big names like Seth Rogan and Donald Glover.
Kelvin Harrison Jr. shared his thoughts with Yahoo Canada, saying Barry really nailed the emotional core of the story. It’s all about understanding your roots and where you come from, which is super relatable. He mentioned how Mufasa is such a beloved character, and it took someone with a big heart to bring this story to life, especially with all the new tech available.
Now, when we think of Mufasa, we often picture James Earl Jones, right? But Aaron Pierre doesn’t see it that way. He feels he’s adding to the legacy that Jones created, not replacing it. He’s just grateful for the chance to contribute to something timeless and special.
Harrison Jr. also talked about how the film centers around Kiara, Simba and Nala’s daughter, who wants to learn about Mufasa from Rafiki. The film shows how Mufasa and Scar, or Taka, develop a brotherly bond, but things take a turn when jealousy creeps in.
He crafted the moment when Taka becomes Scar during his audition, which is pretty cool. He mentioned that Lin-Manuel Miranda’s song, “Brother Betrayed,” was key to capturing that transformation. It’s all about that one word that marks the shift in Taka’s character.
Back in 2019, when Disney released its Lion King remake, many fans were skeptical about the new look. Harrison Jr. gets that feeling. He initially wanted to dismiss it but later realized there’s something magical about the new approach. He emphasized that this film isn’t just for nostalgia; it’s for a whole new generation of kids who want to experience the journey of these characters.
He encourages everyone to keep an open heart and embrace the new story. And if you’re planning to watch Mufasa: The Lion King, he highly recommends seeing it in 3D. He said it felt like he was right there in the water with the characters, which sounds like a blast!