SAN DIEGO (AP) 鈥� When was cast as Mufasa, the weight of following in the late James Earl Jones' legendary footsteps was enough to rattle any actor. But instead of letting the pressure roar too loudly, he harnessed his nerves to breathe fresh life into his young lion character.
鈥淚 had a lot of nerves and I actually think those nerves served me because that is what the adolescent version of that lion is,鈥� Pierre said in an interview Friday at the San Diego Safari Park about his leading role in He took the reins as the new voice of Mufasa after Jones played the iconic King Mufasa in both the 1994 and 2019 versions of Disney's 鈥淭he Lion King.鈥�
Here are some details and insights about 鈥淢ufasa" ahead of its release in theaters on Dec. 20.
What's the story in 鈥淢ufasa鈥�
The live-action prequel offers a fresh exploration into Mufasa's origin story.
After the Rafiki takes on the role of a storytelling sage, weaving the untold tale of Mufasa for Kiara 鈥� the spirited granddaughter of Mufasa and the daughter of Simba and Nala. The duo Timon and Pumbaa stick around for Rafiki鈥檚 flashback.
Rafiki reveals that Mufasa鈥檚 cubhood wasn鈥檛 all royal ease and sunlit horizons. After a heart-wrenching tragedy of being separated from his parents, young Mufasa finds himself lost and alone.
鈥淗e鈥檚 been separated from his family. He鈥檚 an orphan. He鈥檚 been ostracized, he鈥檚 been dismissed. He鈥檚 been degraded,鈥� said Pierre, the British actor who's starred in the and the
Mufasa was a stray until fate led him to Taka, the compassionate heir of a different pride. Taka, with his fierce yet nurturing mother, offer the displaced cub a new beginning in their pride.
Over the years, Mufasa and Taka鈥檚 bond grows from camaraderie to brotherhood. But their loyalty is put to the ultimate test during a journey that uncovers Mufasa鈥檚 true origins and rightful kingdom as well as the reasons behind Taka becoming Scar.
鈥淭here was a bit of Taka resting on the privilege that he was supposed to be afforded,鈥� said Kelvin Harrison Jr., who plays Taka. He drew some inspiration from Jeremy Irons, who voiced the villainous Scar in the 1994 original.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a little bit of 鈥榃ell, it seems like I need to command attention,'" continued Harrison, who starred in 鈥淭he Trial of the Chicago 7鈥� and 鈥淲aves.鈥� "It seems like the only way to win over a pride of anything is to assert dominance. That was Taka鈥檚 version of that, which ended up being a staple as Scar.鈥�
How Blue Ivy won over 鈥淢ufasa鈥� director Barry Jenkins
might have a small role in 鈥淢ufasa,鈥� but her daughter Blue Ivy Carter is the family's shining star in the film.
The eldest daughter of 叠别测辞苍肠茅 and Jay-Z makes her feature film debut, lending her voice as Kiara, the daughter of Simba and Nala, who is portrayed by her superstar mother.
鈥淪he came into this prepared,鈥� said director Barry Jenkins, who heard Blue Ivy's narration on the audio book of Oscar winner Matthew Cherry's 鈥淗air Love.鈥� He said the 12-year-old phenom displayed some skills that could not be ignored.
鈥淪he was the main character and this whole movie starts with just voices,鈥� Jenkins said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e doing almost like a radio play and hearing that quality in her voice, I thought, 鈥極h, I think that鈥檚 my character,鈥�" he continued. "Then she auditioned and it was clear that she is my character.鈥�
While recording for Kiara's character, Jenkins said Blue Ivy, who won a Grammy for co-writing her mom鈥檚 2019 hit 鈥淏rown Skin Girl,鈥� was a pro.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 know Blue Ivy鈥檚 life, but I imagine she grows up a little bit different than everyone else,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 think because of that she鈥檚 grown up and so she had all these wells of understanding, experience, emotional knowledge that she brought to the character. She was awesome.鈥�
Jenkins likens the Kiara character to the many children who will see the movie. In the film, she eagerly listens to John Kani's Rafiki tell her grandfather's origin story while Timon (Billy Eichner) and Pumbaa (Seth Rogen) accompany them in a cave.
鈥淭hey get to see themselves in that character and she鈥檚 learning the story about Mufasa,鈥� Jenkins said. "She鈥檚 learning how he went through the same trials and tribulations, the same growth as she is."
Blue Ivy did not record her vocals with the three cast members, but Rogen applauded her skills.
鈥淪he was great," he said. "I could have sworn we were in that cave with her.鈥�
Lin-Manuel brings fresh musical touch to 鈥淢ufasa鈥�
When wrote new songs for the film, he often leaned on the famous Billie Jean King quote: 鈥淧ressure is a privilege.鈥�
Miranda was up for the challenge to leave his own imprint on the storied franchise much like his predecessors. He said there are seven new songs on the soundtrack, which will be released Dec. 13.
鈥淚 was emboldened by the fact that there鈥檚 the 鈥�94 original which is like an immortal classic," said Miranda, the 鈥淗amilton鈥� creator and Grammy, Emmy and Tony winner.
鈥淏ut there鈥檚 also the and there鈥檚 also 叠别测辞苍肠茅鈥榮 album 鈥楾he Lion King: The Gift,' which I think expanded the musical vocabulary of what can be a 鈥楲ion King鈥� song. So I felt a lot of space to create because I felt like 鈥楲ion King鈥� is practically a genre of music and there was room to play and find new stuff within it.鈥�
Miranda said his 鈥渟ecret ingredient鈥� was Lebo M, who's known for his opening vocals on the classic melody 鈥淐ircle of Life.鈥� He said his lyrics were inspired by the script.
鈥淗is harmonies, the choral arrangements he created for the Broadway musical and for the show, I think were so important to the success of the music of these movies,鈥� Miranda said. 鈥淚 think it was exciting for him to work on new songs.鈥�
How 鈥楳ufasa鈥� honors James Earl Jones
Jones' voice isn't heard in the movie, but it opens with a brief tribute to the beloved actor, who
Pierre had hoped to meet Jones for the first time, but didn't get the chance. Now, he's determined to honor his idol by building on his character鈥檚 legacy.
鈥淚 imagine that an individual experiencing those things might have moments of not being sure and I wasn鈥檛 sure about myself,鈥� he said. 鈥淎aron wasn鈥檛 sure about Aaron going into this, I tried to channel those emotions as opposed to being something that prohibited me as something that propelled me forward. I gave it my best. I hope that I was able to serve James Earl Jones and honor James Earl Jones and the character.鈥�
Jonathan Landrum Jr., The Associated Press
