Five years after Jon Favreau’s photorealistic The Lion King (which grossed $1.6 billion internationally), Oscar-winning director Barry Jenkins is gearing up to unveil a prequel titled Mufasa: The Lion King. As its name suggests, the feature film takes Simba back to his father’s youth.
In this feature film; Rafik tells the young lioness Kiara – daughter of Simba and Nala – the legend of Mufasa. Timon and Pumbaa help him in this.
Told in flashbacks, Mufasa’s story is that of an orphaned lion cub, alone and tired, who one day meets the friendly Taka (future Scar), heir to a royal lineage. This chance encounter marks the starting point of an adventurous journey for the small group of “undesirables” who have formed around them and are now searching for their destiny. Their bonds of friendship are put to the test when they must band together to escape an enemy both dangerous and deadly…
From aznauri to Mufasa…
While the highly-anticipated feature film hits theaters on December 18th, Disney has just revealed the French voice casting. Surprise, Tahar Rahim – currently starring in the biopic Monsieur Aznavour – lends his voice to the adult Mufasa. It is young Timo Bease who will overtake the lion cub.
This is the first time the actor, who won a César for The Prophet, has voiced a Disney character. In the original version, the hero is played by actor Aaron Pierre (Rebel Ridge).
From Simba to Scar…
In this new adventure, young Mufasa befriends another lion Bokuw and finds brotherhood alongside Taka, the future Scar. And this is Gwendal Marimoutou, a candidate for the third season the voice who voices the grown-up Mufasa’s “brother” and Sacha Tomasian the lion’s Bokwer. A change in Gwendal who voices Simba in the musical the lion king. In the original version, Calvin Harrison Jr. plays the future villain of the Lion King.
Tahar Rahim / Gwendal Marimuthu
The Return of Simba and Nala
Similar to Jon Favreau’s 2019 film, Ryan Bensett once again provides the voice of an adult Simba, and singer Ann Sylla again voices Nala. A young Lois Charpentier lends her voice to Chiara, the daughter of the protagonists of the previous installment. In the US, Donald Glover and Beyonce also return to the vocal cast, and it’s Blue Ivy Carter, the singer’s daughter, who plays Ciara.
Sarabi, Rafiki, Zazu Timon & Pumbaa
Singer and actress Aurel Konate – Discovered in 2002 thanks to Star Academy, voices Sarabi, Mufasa’s companion and Simba’s mother.
Daniel Kamwa once again voices the wise-cracking adult Rafiki, while Jean-Michel Vauben – who already voices Sebastian the crab in the live-action version of The Little Mermaid – voices Mufasa’s future royal advisor. In the American version, the role of Rafiq is still played by John Cahn. Alexis Tomasini is the voice of the talking red-billed Zazu. And since you don’t change the winning team, Jamel Debouze and Alban Ivanov are still ahead of Timon and Pumbaa.
Who is the new villain?
Finally, Cyrus, the big bad guy of this feature film, is voiced by dubbing specialist Daniel Lobe in French and Mads Mikkelsen in the original version. Cyrus is the evil, nihilistic leader of a loyal pack of white lions who leave behind nothing but sorrow and pain. All are bent on one thing: to depose the Obas to put Cyrus on the throne, leaving him with the power worthy of a dictator.
Other actors voicing Mufasa’s characters include Jean-Paul Pitolini, Annie Million, Leovanie Rowdy, Gregory Leribaugh, and Chef Maury Sacco, a huge Lion King fan, for a surprise wink.
Mufasa: The Lion King In our theaters today, December 18.
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
