Filmmaker Barry Jenkins showed off a look (and revealed the title) of his upcoming Lion King take, with Mufasa: Lion King bowing in 2024. Jenkins also revealed it follows the rise of Mufasa and features young versions of characters Timon, Pumbaa and Rafiki. Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen will return as Timon and Pumbaa, respectively.
“Mufasa was actually an orphaned cub who had to navigate the world alone by himself, and in telling this story, we get to experience the real journey of how Mufasa found his place in the circle of life,” said Jenkins of the character, who goes on to become Simba’s father.
The film follows Jon Favreau’s celebrated 2019 live-action remake, which earned $1.66 billion globally.
Director Rob Marshall said the new version will feature four new songs, and that he has a special fondness for the 1989 original. “When it opened in 1989 … musicals were gone,” said Marshall. “Even though it was animated, we could hear people singing at movies again.”
The Little Mermaid stars Halle Bailey as Ariel, with a cast that also includes Javier Bardem, Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay and Melissa McCarthy. The film is slated for a May 26, 2023, release date.
Bailey, best known as half of the R&B sister duo Chloe x Halle, joined the project in July 2019 as the latest live-action remake star.
Disney released the original The Little Mermaid in 1989, with the film earning original song and score Oscars for Alan Menken. Menken returns to update his score, and pen a new song featuring lyrics from Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Disney shared logos for Mufasa and Snow White on Friday.
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