Mufasa: The Lion King Debuts “Stunning” New Footage at CinemaCon
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Hot off the heels of Mufasa: The Lion King's new first look image, Disney has dropped even more to be excited about during its panel at CinemaCon.
When the film was first announced with the news that Barry Jenkins would direct, fans of the Oscar-winner were curious as to why the auteur had taken on the big studio project.
Jenkins opened his segment of last night's panel joking about that sentiment, saying, "You are probably wondering… what is the director of Moonlight doing talking to me about an eight-quadrant tentpole legacy IP massive film?" as per Variety.
Barry Jenkins introducing #MufasaTheLionKing at CinemaCon:
“You are probably wondering… what is the director of ‘Moonlight’ doing talking to me about an eight-quadrant tentpole legacy IP massive film? And I gotta say, the thought was very strange to me at first, as well. But oh… pic.twitter.com/7IrsYapoJK— Variety (@Variety) April 11, 2024
Jenkins said, "It was one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life," and said he was "so glad [he] made this picture".
"Mufasa: The Lion King is a very personal film for me," Jenkins said, going on to reveal he has seen Disney's 1994 The Lion King "maybe 200 times".
‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ director Barry Jenkins on his personal ties to ‘The Lion King’ - and seeing the movie around 200 times | #CinemaCon pic.twitter.com/Bgdb1qbXPH
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) April 12, 2024
A section of footage from the film was then screened for the audience.
Discussing Film revealed that audiences witnessed devastation rife among snowy mountains with narration from Rafiki who reveals that our story is "about a lion 'who will change everyone's lives'."
Much of the footage shared landscapes, including swamps and rivers, as well as a first look at a young Mufasa.
Film critic Jillian Chilingerian revealed that the film features "all new songs". However, who has written remains secret for now.
Mufasa The Lion King explores Mufasa's rise to king as it is "full of heart" and help kids understand "how people become great" with all new songs in an expansive adventure throughout the continent of Africa. #CinemaCon
— Jillian (@JillianChili) April 11, 2024
MUFASA: THE LION KING will feature all new songs.
“I can’t tell you who made those songs yet, but I promise they’re awesome.” #CinemaCon2024— Daniel Howat (@howatdk) April 11, 2024
Another critic present at the panel says Mufasa: The Lion King is "genuinely stunning".
Barry Jenkins introduces the first ever look at MUFASA: THE LION KING. It features the same photorealistic animation as the first.
The imagery is genuinely stunning. Hopefully Jenkins was able to fill it with all the heart the first film was missing. #CinemaCon2024— Daniel Howat (@howatdk) April 11, 2024
Mufasa: The Lion King is said to still be in post-production but is set for release this year on December 20.
