'The Lion King' Prequel Director Goes Off on Critics' and Their 'Soulless' 'Mufasa' Hot Takes
When the live-action version of “The Lion King” was released in 2019, initial reactions weren’t overly positive. Audiences seem to take issue with how the visual effects couldn’t replicate the emotional connection of the animated original. In the end, none of that criticism seemed to matter at the box office, as it has a worldwide total of $1.1 billion.
Apparently, the new prequel, “Mufasa: The Lion King,” is in the same boat when it comes to fan reactions. Following the debut of the film’s first teaser trailer, Oscar-winning writer/director Barry Jenkins was the subject of some criticism, with social media users calling the new film “soulless.”
After the “Moonlight” director posted the trailer on X, someone replied to him writing, “Barry, You’re too good and talented for this Iger’s soulless machine.”
There is nothing soulless about The Lion King. For decades children have sat in theaters all over the world experiencing collective grief for the first time, engaging Shakespeare for the first time, across aisles in myriad languages. A most potent vessel for communal empathy.
— Barry Jenkins (@BarryJenkins) April 29, 2024
Noting that this person seemed wildly unfamiliar with the guilt, denial, jealousy, revenge and love present in 1994’s “The Lion King,” Jenkins replied, “There is nothing soulless about ‘The Lion King.’ For decades children have sat in theaters all over the world experiencing collective grief for the first time, engaging Shakespeare for the first time, across aisles in myriad languages. A most potent vessel for communal empathy.”
Another user, who was disappointed in the director’s response, told him that he never would’ve felt this way when “Moonlight” was initially premiering, writing, “You can do a Disney movie for the check, in order to work on your passion projects at a later time, but you don’t have to shill like this.”
Come on man. I interviewed you when you premiered Moonlight at TIFF, and that Barry Jenkins wouldn’t have said what you just said.
You can do a Disney movie for the check, in order to work on your passion projects at a later time, but you don’t have to shill like this.— Q. Anthony Ali (@NobleQAli) April 29, 2024
Seriously, who are these judgmental “fans” who think they have the right to Barry Jenkins’ art and thoughts? Clearly this artist has a deep connection to “The Lion King” universe, and wanted to add his stamp on it. You don’t have to go see the movie, but you don’t get to badger him for making it and have the audacity to promote his own work. The “If Beale Street Could Talk” director ended the back and forth by reminding everyone that his films often feature stories focused on children.
“Children have figured prominently in every single one of the projects from ‘Moonlight’ til’ now without exception,” Jenkins wrote. “Like…BRUH. You can say whatever you want about the film but telling ME that something I SAID about why something is meaningful to me for children is CAP? Nah bruh.”
Children have figured prominently in every single one of the projects from Moonlight til' now without exception. Like... BRUH.
You can say whatever you want about the film but telling ME that something I SAID about why something is meaningful to me for children is CAP? Nah bruh— Barry Jenkins (@BarryJenkins) April 29, 2024
Directed by Barry Jenkins and starring Aaron Pierre; Kelvin Harrison Jr.; Blue Ivy Carter; Thandiwe Newton; Beyoncé; and Donald Glover rides into theaters Dec. 20.
