Mufasa: The Lion King – How Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. Breathe New Life into a Beloved Legacy
Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. are ending the year on a high note as co-stars of the highly anticipated live-action film Mufasa: The Lion King.
This isn’t the first time the entertainers have acted alongside each other. At the beginning of 2024, the duo portrayed Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X in Genius: MLK/X. The eight-episode docu-series focused on the formative years of the two civil rights leaders. Now, once again, Pierre and Harrison Jr. have reunited to deliver a stellar performance and expand upon the 30-year legacy of a beloved film.
A Brotherhood Tested: Mufasa and Taka’s Journey to Destiny
Audiences have been hooked on the sibling rivalry between Mufasa and Taka since The Lion King premiered in 1994. “The reason the character [Mufasa] is so beloved is because he radiated an essence of love and togetherness and unity,” Pierre said during a press conference earlier this month. “And I think we all crave that in our own respective lives, our own personal communities, and our global community.”
The origin story of the lions remained a mystery for three decades as viewers were introduced to Mufasa, the king, and Taka, the villain. Mufasa: The Lion King promises to connect the dots on the unanswered question: How did we get here?
Directing Mufasa: The Lion King was no easy feat for Barry Jenkins, known for his standout films like If Beale Street Could Talk and Moonlight. He was fully aware of the skepticism and doubts from critics after it was announced in 2020 that he was attached to the project. Defending himself against the backlash, he told Vulture on Dec. 5 that digital filmmaking “is not [his] thing” when asked if he would make another film like this one.
Yet he didn’t let the complexities or the unfamiliar territory deter him from doing what he knows best—telling a captivating story.
“When I first read the script, I realized there was just such a deep depth in so many of these characters that hadn’t been on the periphery,” he said. “But there just wasn’t space for their stories to be told in full, for them to show their full selves. And once I saw those things, I saw all of this clarity of intent, purpose, honesty of emotion; whether you’re a four-year-old or 104-year-old, there’s something in The Lion King for you. And all those things were present in Mufasa.”
The prequel, which arrived in theaters on Friday, is told through the flashbacks of Simba’s (Donald Glover) daughter Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter). With the help of shaman Rafiki (John Kani), audiences are taken on an expansive journey across Africa that reveals what determines Mufasa and Taka’s destinies.
Their journey boils down to this: An orphaned Mufasa, separated from his family in a flood, yearns to reunite with his long-lost parents in a fabled land called Milele. Taka, heir to his family’s throne, struggles to live up to his royal pedigree. The two find solace in each other and develop a seemingly unbreakable brotherhood. Amid their quest, the strength of their bond is tested, ultimately changing them and their relationship forever.
Stepping Into Iconic Roles: Pierre and Harrison Jr. Reflect on Legacy
Stepping into the role of Taka wasn’t easy for Harrison Jr., who was aware of the bad reputation his character—later known as Scar—has had since fans were first introduced to him. However, he hopes the film will allow fans to see Taka in a different light after learning about his background.
“I think it’s a nice opportunity for people to kind of pull back the curtain a little bit and reassess that original first interaction with Scar,” he said during the press conference. “No one’s born a villain, you know what I mean?”
He continued, “Anybody who’s really angry was probably really hurt at some point. I like the fact that everyone’s having the dialogue and probably gonna examine themselves a little bit, too, and some of their preconceived notions around their enemies.”
At the center of Mufasa and Taka’s rivalry is, of course, a girl. Tiffany Boone plays Sarabi, a fierce lioness, love interest, and eventually Mufasa’s mate. With Mufasa: The Lion King being Boone’s first time acting in an animated film, she said the instant connection with her character helped her bring Sarabi to life.
The Power of Music: Lin-Manuel Miranda Redefines The Lion King Soundtrack
“I related to her kind of like looking for her tribe and looking for a place, but trying to be tough at the same time, where right behind the surface there’s, like, a lot of vulnerability, and I think that’s how I am,” she said. “And so, it was fun to play a character that I connected with so much.”
As much as the story of the two brothers has resonated with audiences, the music is another aspect of The Lion King that fans can’t get enough of. So when Lin-Manuel Miranda was tapped as the songwriter for the new live-action film, there was no doubt it would be hard not to sing along to the catchy tunes. Miranda said he drew inspiration from several sources while crafting the timeless hits, including Beyoncé’s album The Gift, which he revealed “expanded the vocabulary of what a Lion King song could sound like.”
Above all, Mufasa: The Lion King gives long-time fans more perspective on the characters they’ve grown up with and loved for years. Most importantly, Pierre and Harrison Jr.’s performances carry on the legacy of Mufasa and Taka that the late originators James Earl Jones and Jeremy Irons gifted fans. With legacy being one of the themes in the movie, Pierre spoke about keeping Jones’ legacy alive by voicing Mufasa.
“I’ve always studied him,” Pierre began. “I’ve always observed him. I’ve always tried to be a sponge and learn from him. It’s very nerve-racking because of that, and the place he holds in my heart, to contribute in a small way to that legacy.”
He continued, “But I think those nerves and that fear served me because this is an adolescent version of this character. This isn’t the adult king who’s running things. He’s figuring out his identity.”
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