This article comprises spoilers for the movie “Mufasa: The Lion King”.
“Mufasa: The Lion King” is a prequel to 1994 animated movie AND is the 2019 remake. Directed by Barry Jenkins AND with songs by Lin-Manuel Mirandathe movie traces how Mufasa grew to become king of the Pride Lands and why Scar ended up being so bitter and vindictive in direction of his older brother.
“There are so many issues you’ll be able to play with right here, however it’s a must to watch out as a result of persons are very emotional concerning the unique and reactions will come from each route,” stated screenwriter Jeff Nathanson. “There had been in all probability 10 different issues that had been omitted and 10 different issues we might have performed. But the unique movie was actually necessary to all of us and we tried to honor it as finest we might.”
Nathanson defined to the Times the questions “Mufasa” answered concerning the unique “The Lion King” movie:
Taka and Mufasa as cubs in “Mufasa: The Lion King.”
(Disney/Disney Enterprises)
How did Mufasa and Scar change into brothers?
The movie tells how, as a cub, Mufasa was touring along with his mother and father when he was out of the blue swept away by river rapids in a flash flood. The orphan is then found by one other younger lion, Taka, who convinces his mom to welcome him into her delight. (As mentioned in additional element under, Taka was Scar’s title earlier than his fall from grace.)
“Mufasa’s worldview, compassion and empathy — all these items appeared very completely different from what you’ll count on from a king,” Nathanson stated. “I assumed perhaps his upbringing wasn’t as conventional as you may assume. What occurred to him and the way did he change into somebody who was a clever and highly effective chief, but additionally such an ideal father?
But Taka’s father, a king who prioritizes royal bloodlines, just isn’t happy, referring to Mufasa because the “stray” and forcing him to be raised by lionesses. However, Taka is thrilled to have a brother and a brand new finest good friend and sweetly vows to guard their bond eternally.
“It’s a love story between these two brothers,” Nathanson added. “We needed to actually seize what it is like while you’re younger and you’ve got somebody who understands you greater than anybody else. It’s bittersweet as a result of you already know what is going on to occur and the place it’ll finish, however at the least for this second, all the pieces was fantastic.
Mufasa and Simba within the 1994 movie “The Lion King”.
(Disney)
What did Mufasa’s cliff climb as soon as imply?
Fan of the 1994 movie know the moment well: In the midst of a chaotic escape triggered by Scar, Mufasa makes an attempt to climb a cliff and requires his brother to assist pull him up. Instead, Scar sinks his claws into his paws and hurls him to his loss of life.
The interplay that ends Mufasa’s life in “The Lion King” is definitely what saves him in “Mufasa.” Taka first will get his claws into Mufasa’s paws to tug him up from the river and narrowly keep away from some hungry crocodiles. (Later the 2 puppies additionally joke concerning the stampedes.)
“It’s a really traumatic function and reminiscence of the unique, and we needed to step in and say that it hasn’t at all times had the identical connotation,” Nathanson stated of redefining the visible. “We’re making an attempt to play together with your reminiscences and your expectations, giving individuals sufficient of what you already know and what you got here for, but additionally shocking you with new issues.”
Sarabi, Mufasa, Rafiki and Taka in “Mufasa: The Lion King”.
(Disney/Disney Enterprises)
How did Mufasa and Taka battle?
“Mufasa” highlights how their brotherly bond isn’t damaged in only one means. Since Mufasa, as an undesirable “stray”, was compelled to be raised by the lionesses of the delight, he approached Taka’s mom and accompanied her through the hunt. At one level, he saves her from assault by one other delight, an act that finally wins Taka’s father’s favor. (Taka, who was close by when his mom was attacked, fled in concern.)
Threatened by that violent aggressive delight, Taka’s father orders him to flee for his personal security, with Mufasa as his protector. They meet a wandering lioness, Sarabi (Tiffany Boone), and though each boys fall in love along with her, she finally prefers Mufasa. Taka – having been changed by Mufasa by his mom, his father and his crush – feels too deeply betrayed by the brother he welcomed all these years in the past, the one who now has all the pieces he believes ought to be his.
“It was necessary to Barry that it wasn’t one thing sudden, however developed and layered,” Nathanson stated. “Barry could be very intentional along with his imagery, and there are lovely photographs of Taka taking a look at Mufasa along with his mom, and you can begin to see the wheels delivering that second too. We hoped it will be successful with audiences over the course of the movie.”
Young Rafiki in “Mufasa: The Lion King”.
(Disney)
Where does Rafiki come from?
“Mufasa” additionally exhibits that the clever mandrill Rafiki (John Kani), born with a limp, had beforehand been ostracized by a pack of baboons as a result of his visions predicted that their dwelling can be repeatedly attacked by a cheetah. Although Rafiki typically helps his fellow primates by therapeutic them and main them to water through the dry season, they consider his powers are nefarious and vote to banish him.
Rafiki then meets Mufasa, Taka, Sarabi and his acquainted flying protector Zazu (Preston Nyman), and the 5 proceed as a motley crew of wanderers. “They all solely have a couple of scenes collectively, however they’re cute moments since you see how shut they’re once they get collectively,” Nathanson stated. While they’re travelling, Rafiki finds his iconic strolling stick and carries it to his vacation spot.
Scar and Simba within the 1994 movie “The Lion King”.
(Disney)
How did Taka get that scar?
In a harmful transfer towards Mufasa, Taka informs their group’s location to the chief of the violent delight, who mistakenly believes Mufasa killed his son. The chief follows them into the peaceable Pride Lands and goes toe-to-toe with Mufasa, however simply because the chief is about to strike, Taka remembers the time he did not save his mom and, in a second of braveness, jumps in from the entrance. to Mufasa to take the chief’s assault within the face. The blow causes an enormous scar.
“He betrayed his brother however, proper now, he is redeeming himself in a roundabout way,” Nathanson stated. “We considered it loads and wanted it to be one thing that felt natural to the story. There had been different variations we tried with, however after we received to this one, all of us agreed that it felt proper.”
Mufasa, Sarabi and Zazu in “Mufasa: The Lion King”.
(Disney)
How did Mufasa change into king of the Pride Lands?
When the violent delight is defeated, the animals residing within the Pride Lands are grateful to Mufasa for uniting them towards the intruders and demand him as their king. Mufasa initially rejects the supply, as he’s not of royal blood, however Rafiki explains, “It’s not what you had been, it is what you have change into.”
As for Taka, who led the enemy to his refuge: Zazu asks for his exile, however Mufasa vows to at all times give him a spot within the kingdom, even when he won’t ever be capable to pronounce his title once more. “Then name me Scar, so I’ll always remember what I did,” Taka tells him.
“If you watched the flicks again to again, you’ll perceive why Scar is sitting in that cage in such a psychotic rage,” Nathanson stated. “He is actually of royal blood, and he’s nonetheless holding on to this concept in any case these years. And definitely, we administrators say, blood just isn’t sufficient, however character is.”
Simba standing on King’s Rock within the 1994 movie “The Lion King”.
(Disney)
How did Pride Rock come about?
In the midst of that decisive battle, an earthquake hits the Pride Lands and a mountain shatters. What stays is what followers of the unique movie know as Pride Rock, the touchdown spot the place the Lion Kings from the 1994 movie tackle their topics.
“In the script, Pride Rock was already there once they arrived,” Nathanson stated, “and our manufacturing designer stated, ‘What if, through the earthquake, it had been to break down like this?’ It was simply such a lovely picture and positively an ideal thought. And now it is certainly one of my favourite little bits of the film.
