‘Mufasa’ Cast Breakdown: See the Faces Behind All the Animals in ‘The Lion King’ Prequel Movie

As a cinephile with a keen eye for talent and an ear for voices that resonate, I must say that the casting of “Mufasa: The Lion King” is nothing short of remarkable. Each actor brings their unique flair to the table, painting vivid portraits of these iconic characters with their exceptional performances.

In 2019, Disney achieved tremendous success with Jon Favreau’s “The Lion King,” a modern take on the cherished 1994 animated film using cutting-edge CGI and virtual production methods to make it look like live-action footage. The movie raked in $1.6 billion globally and ranks as the 10th highest-grossing movie ever, without accounting for inflation. With all this in mind, anticipation is running high for “Mufasa: The Lion King,” a prequel to the 2019 film helmed by Barry Jenkins, who won an Oscar for “Moonlight” and directed “If Beale Street Could Talk.

In the film titled “Mufasa,” we find ourselves following events after those seen in “The Lion King.” Here, wise old Rafiki narrates the tale of Mufasa to Simba’s daughter Kiara. The movie then delves into the past, revealing how young Mufasa (portrayed by Aaron Pierre from “The Underground Railroad”) transformed from an orphaned cub into the king of the Pride Lands. Similar to its precursor, “Mufasa” is also a musical and boasts original tunes penned by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

In “Mufasa,” the abundance of digital magic might leave viewers curious about the people responsible for the various animal character voices. Here’s a comprehensive cast list to quench your curiosity.

Mufasa (Aaron Pierre)

In the title role of “Mufasa: The Lion King,” Aaron Pierre portrays an orphaned cub who rises to become the ruler of the Pride Lands. This year, his outstanding performance as the leading actor in the Netflix thriller “Rebel Ridge” and as Malcolm X in the fourth season of National Geographic’s anthology series “Genius” has garnered significant praise. Kelvin Harrison Jr., another star of “Mufasa,” previously played Martin Luther King Jr. on the show.

Pierre shared with Angelique Jackson of EbMaster’s that while he and Kelvin collaborated on a feature film and a limited series, their friendship and brotherhood were primarily formed outside of professional contexts. He expressed deep gratitude for having Kelvin as one of his closest friends, finding great value in sharing the same age and similar experiences with him. In his own words, he can’t express how indispensable and irreplaceable that bond is.

Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr)

In a role reversal, Kelvin Harrison Jr. lends his voice to Taka, who eventually becomes known as Scar, the crucial secondary character in the story. Taka is Mufasa’s adopted sibling, and their strong relationship starts to deteriorate due to Taka’s growing jealousy. Previously, Harrelson portrayed Martin Luther King alongside Aaron Pierre, who voiced Mufasa, in the fourth season of the National Geographic anthology series “Genius.” Besides this, Harrelson’s acting resume includes films like “Waves,” “Cyrano,” “The High Note,” and “Elvis.

Barry Jenkins shared with Angelique Jackson of EbMaster’s that his two leads had taken it upon themselves to delve into the roles of MLK and Malcolm X while filming. This was understandable because their on-screen chemistry during these scenes felt incredibly authentic and genuine, a quality that was evident from the very start as they recorded their voices for ‘Mufasa’. Despite the characters ultimately growing apart in the story, when they were together on screen, it seemed like a real, heartfelt portrayal.

Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter)

In the upcoming film “Mufasa,” Blue Ivy Carter, the child of Beyonce and Jay-Z, lends her voice to the character of Kiara, who is the daughter of Simba and Nala. The movie’s plot revolves around Kiara being told the tale of her grandfather by Rafiki.

Blue Ivy shared with “Good Morning America” that everyone involved is incredibly helpful and encouraging. The director, Barry, is a kind soul who offers suggestions to help her with her lines, and he’s always supportive, delivering constructive feedback in a gentle manner. It seems everyone on set shares this same supportive attitude towards her.

Young Mufasa (Braelyn Rankin)

As a passionate cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that I, myself, am ecstatic about the news that Braelyn Rankin lends his voice to the young Mufasa in the upcoming “The Lion King” prequel. This marks his debut as a leading voice actor in a studio film, following his notable supporting roles on television series like “Doom Patrol,” “Take Note,” and “Delilah,” among others.

Young Taka (Theo Somolu)

The newcomer, Theo Somolu, lends his voice to the character of young Taka in a prominent Hollywood studio film, marking his debut in such a production. Prior to this, he had provided vocals for ten episodes of the 2020 children’s series “Mighty Express.

Rafiki (John Kani)

John Kani once again lends his voice to the character of Rafikii, a wise-looking mandrill who encounters young Mufasa during his journey to the Pride Lands. Besides being a significant figure in the storyline of “Mufasa,” Rafikii also functions as the narrator, recounting the life of the titular character to his granddaughter Kiara. Some may recall Kani’s voice from his portrayal of King T’Chaka within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in films such as “Captain America: Civil War” and “Black Panther.” Previous flashback scenes in “Mufasa” showcase Kagiso Lediga as a younger Rafikii.

Timon (Billy Eichner)

Once again, Billy Eichner lends his voice to the role of Timon, the quick-witted meerkat and loyal companion to Seth Rogen’s Pumbaa. Throughout the movie, these two characters trade sharp jokes while Rafiki narrates the tale of Mufasa to Kiara.

Pumbaa (Seth Rogen)

In the new film “Mufasa,” Seth Rogen once again lends his voice to Pumbaa, the ever-hungry warthog who becomes a cherished friend to Simba in the original “The Lion King.” This time around, Pumbaa’s part is smaller compared to the original, as he provides humor throughout the story as Rafiki narrates about Mufasa.

Sarabi (Tiffany Boone)

Actress Tiffany Boone, known for her roles in “Hunters” and “The Following”, voices Sarabi, the queen of the Pride Lands and mother of Simba. In the story, viewers first encounter Sarabi when she is a lone lioness who befriends Mufasa and Taka. A love triangle forms between these two lions and Sarabi, but her affection lies with Mufasa. This is how Sarabi is introduced in the movie “Mufasa”.

Boone shared with Angelique Jackson from EbMaster’s that witnessing the final “Mufasa” edit felt as if he had left his body. It seemed as though he wasn’t observing himself, but rather being absorbed by this stunning creation of Barry’s beauty.

Kiros (Mads Mikkelsen)

In “Mufasa: The Lion King,” Mads Mikkelsen portrays an evil character yet again, this time lending his voice to Kiro, the head of a band of outcast white lions called “The Outsiders.” These lions are bitter and thirsty for revenge, having been cast out. Kiro’s primary motivation is seeking retribution against Mufasa, who he believes killed his son during a brutal assault.

Eshe (Thandiwe Newton)

Thandiwe Newton voices Eshe, a character who later becomes Mufasa’s adoptive mom after he loses his biological family during a fierce flood. Originally, Eshe is Taka’s birth mother and possesses exceptional hunting abilities. She passes on vital skills such as tracking game and predators to Mufasa. Despite the objections of her partner, Obasi, Eshe chooses to guide Mufasa.

Obasi (Lennie James)

As a follower, I am Obasi, a steadfast leader known for my strict “no strays” policy within our pack in “The Walking Dead.” This policy has made me hesitant to welcome the orphaned Mufasa into our family. However, when the safety of our bloodlines is at stake due to the impending threat from Kiros and The Outsiders, I am compelled to send Taka and Mufasa away from our pack for their own protection.

Zazu (Preston Nyman)

In 2019’s “The Lion King,” John Oliver gave voice to Zazu, the hornbill character, but in the latest installment titled “Mufasa,” Preston Nyman voices him instead. Initially, Zazu is depicted as Sarabi’s scout after she parts ways with her group. Throughout the film, he guides them towards the Pride Lands, eventually taking on the role of majordomo to Mufasa.

Afia (Anika Noni Rose)

Actress Anika Noni Rose, who has graced both “Dreamgirls” and “The Princess and the Frog,” lends her voice to the character Afia. Before they are torn apart by a flood, Afia imparts knowledge about Milele, a land brimming with breathtaking landscapes and lush greenery, to Mufasa – a knowledge he cherishes as a young orphan. The rest of Mufasa’s life revolves around his quest to find this long-promised land.

Masego (Keith David)

In the story, Mufasa’s real father is Masego, voiced by Keith David. Unfortunately, they become separated during a flood when Masego attempted to rescue Mufasa from the water. This harrowing experience resulted in Mufasa having an enduring fear of swimming throughout his life.

Simba (Donald Glover)

In the new film, Donald Glover once again lends his voice to the role of Simba, even though Simba’s character takes a back seat since the movie primarily focuses on his father’s story.

Nala (Beyoncé Knowles-Carter)

In the upcoming prequel, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reprises her role as Nala, Simba’s companion and ruler of the Pride Lands. Since Nala doesn’t play a significant part in this story, Beyonce’s participation in “Mufasa” was primarily to witness her daughter, Blue Ivy, make her first appearance on the big screen.

Speaking to “Good Morning America”, Beyoncé expressed disbelief and emotion, saying, “Seeing Blue as Kiara and hearing her voice in that character was a moment I couldn’t quite believe – it’s my baby after all! I’m incredibly proud of her.

Additional Voice Roles

The movie ‘The Lion King’ with Mufasa also includes the voices of Folake Olowofoyeku as one of The Outsiders called Amara, Thuso Mbedu as Rafiki’s baboon companion named Junia, Sheila Atim as Ajarry, and Abdul Salis as Chigaru.

2024-12-21 01:20