While it was announced during D23 that The Lion King prequel Mufasa would release in 2024, we now know the exact date. Disney announced today that the Mufasa release date is July 5, 2024. It will release exclusively in theaters.
Mufasa will featuresAaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as the voice actors of younger versions of Mufasa and his brother Scar. The prequel will explore the character’s childhood. Footage was shown at D23 of Rafiki narrating the story and telling a group of cubs about how Mufasa became the king of Pride Rock.
2019’s The Lion King was a smash hit despite a lukewarm reception by critics and fans, earning over $1.6 billion at the box office. The film featured a star-studded cast including Donald Glover (Atlanta, Solo: A Star Wars Story) as future-king Simba, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter (Dreamgirls, “Lemonade” visual album) as Simba’s friend-turned-love interest Nala, and James Earl Jones (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Field of Dreams) as Simba’s wise and loving father, Mufasa, among many other stars.
Director Barry Jenkins is attached to direct the film. Jenkins previously directed Moonlight, which was released to critical acclaim, and If Beale Street Could Talk.
