Disney’s new movie, Mufasa: The Lion King, will be released on December 20, 2024. It promises to take us back to Mufasa’s early years and explore his journey from a young cub to a king. Directed by Barry Jenkins and featuring Aaron Pierre as Mufasa and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka (later known as Scar), the movie has generated a lot of excitement.
Here are some stills from the trailer:
While the production team clearly put in an incredible amount of work, the decision to use a photorealistic style similar to the 2019 The Lion King remake feels like a missed chance. The original 1994 film enchanted audiences with its bright animation, memorable characters, and emotionally powerful scenes. That animation style allowed characters to be much more expressive, creating a bond with viewers that many felt the 2019 remake just didn’t capture.
For younger viewers, returning to traditional animation could have delivered Mufasa’s story in a more magical and lasting way. Animated films have a unique power to connect with people of all ages through expressive visuals and timeless style. Animation could’ve allowed us to feel more of Mufasa’s emotional journey, making it easier for kids and adults to experience the heart of his story.
The original The Lion King remains a classic, in part due to its unforgettable animated style. A traditionally animated Mufasa could have achieved a similar place in Disney’s history, appealing to new generations while keeping the charm of the original.
While this new movie is impressive, it feels like Disney missed an opportunity to reignite the magic of animation for today’s Lion King fans. A traditional animated approach may have given us a more expressive and deeply moving look at Mufasa’s story.
You can check out the trailer and more details on the official Disney website here or below.
