When Disney announced that they were going to do Mufasa: The Lion King, audiences were particularly not excited about the idea of a prequel. While the 2019 Lion King adaptation was a big hit at the box office, fans of the original animated classic were not happy with the photorealistic approach of the animals and how it took them out of the emotionality of the story.
When Barry Jenkins came in to direct Mufasa: The Lion King, there were hopes that the project might be great as the director has won an Oscar for 2016’s Moonlight. However, with the release of the first teaser trailer, fans continued to feel the same ‘soulless’ vibe of the 2019 adaptation, despite Jenkins saying otherwise.
Fans Believe Mufasa: The Lion King Adds to Disney’s Soulless Remake Trend
The 2019 Lion King adaptation was a departure from past Disney adaptations of their beloved animated classics. They took a risk by toeing the line between live-action and animation with a photorealistic take on the visuals and how the animals looked. Unfortunately, most felt that the photorealistic nature made the characters wooden and it led to the lack of emotional catharsis that a Lion King narrative should have.
With Disney doing a prequel film focusing on the origin story of Mufasa with Mufasa: The Lion King, many were apprehensive about the project but Barry Jenkins has stated “There is nothing soulless about The Lion King” when commenting on the current trend of ‘soulless’ Disney remakes (on X). Once the trailer was released, fans were unfortunately reminded of how they felt when they watched 2019’s Lion King.
On X, fans were critical of the trailer and unfavorably compared it to the photorealistic version of the 2019 film. Many believed that they should have done it in animation with others even claiming that a second film was not warranted in the first place. Here are some of the reactions,
I’m sorry, but they could’ve made this an animated movie, with a new reformed animation style! That would’ve flat out slapped super hard, coupled with all the nostalgia that will come with it. That way, Kids (as they claim to be making the movie for) will have a feast too.
— Purp? (@purpyisgreat) April 30, 2024
It’s as soulless as the Lion King remake was…Disney really needs to get past this, this has to be expensive as heII.
Also Lin Manuel Miranda needs to go away. Enough already.
— Mandolango (@ItsMandolango) April 30, 2024
lol the lion king doesn’t need a sequel, that’s just pure greed talking. How about a new live action Disney film with a new story like jungle cruise? Remember that one?
— SamJReimer (@SamuelStark93) April 30, 2024
there was no need for a 2nd one tho
— ⚡ (@chaiaurcake1) April 30, 2024
It’s soulless🤭
— 𝐑𝐈𝐙𝐙𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐆𝐇 (@rizzburgh) April 30, 2024
While the criticism around the trailer is understandable considering how the 2019 Lion King turned out, Jenkins might bring a certain essence and depth to the story that connects fans emotionally (which the 2019 version most failed to do). It remains to be seen if Jenkins manages to turn the conversation around when Mufasa: The Lion King releases this December.
Barry Jenkins Loved the Opportunity to Expand the World of The Lion King
With Mufasa: The Lion King, director Barry Jenkins is peeling back the layers of The Lion King’s story that everyone has loved over the years. Being an origin story of Mufasa, it is going to be a brand new take on the lore with a new environment and new characters.
In an interview with Empire, Jenkins revealed his excitement in expanding the scope of The Lion King with his new film. He further stated that people are in for an entertaining adventure with deeper explorations of known characters and how they ended up together. The director said,
“We’re used to all these characters living together in this one place, and I think part of [the film’s] objective is to really show where all these people came from and how they ended up together. It was just cool for me to have the opportunity to expand the scope of what the world of The Lion King was, and in doing so, get to experience some of these really amazing environments.”
Actors like Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, John Kani, and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter return to voice Simba, Pumbaa, Timon, Rafiki and Nala from the 2019 remake. Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Tiffany Boone, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Lennie James, and Blue Ivy Carter are joining the franchise with the new film.
Mufasa: The Lion King hits theatres on December 20, 2024.
