Directed by Barry Jenkins, Mufasa: The Lion King (2024) explores the untold origin story of the legendary king, chronicling his bond with his brother Taka and their perilous journey to destiny.
Synopsis
Told in flashbacks by Rafiki to Kiara, the story reveals the rise of one of the Pride Lands' greatest kings. Mufasa, an orphaned cub lost and alone, meets Taka, a sympathetic heir to a royal bloodline. This chance encounter sparks an intense brotherhood that is put to the ultimate test as they embark on a dangerous journey alongside a group of misfits to evade a threatening enemy and find their place in the Circle of Life.
Information |
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Language |
English |
Country |
United States |
Premiere date |
December 20, 2024 |
Running time |
118 minutes |
Genre |
Animation Adventure Drama Family Musical |
Budget |
$250,000,000 |
Box Office |
$480,200,000 |
Crew |
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Directed by |
Barry Jenkins |
Produced by |
Adele Romanski Mark Ceryak Peter M. Tobyansen |
Written by |
Jeff Nathanson |
Music by |
Nicholas Britell Lin-Manuel Miranda (Songs) |
Cinematography |
James Laxton |
Edited by |
Joi McMillon |
Production Co. |
Walt Disney Pictures Pastel Productions |
Distributed by |
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures |
Top Cast |
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Official Trailer |
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Movie Collection |
Movie Order: #02 in The Lion King (Reboot) Collection
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The Plot
A Legacy Revealed
Following the events that restored the Pride Lands, Simba and Nala are now parents to a spirited female cub named Kiara and are expecting their second child. Seeking a peaceful environment for the birth, the royal couple departs to visit a secluded oasis, leaving Timon and Pumbaa in charge of watching over Kiara at Pride Rock. Their vigil is soon interrupted by the arrival of the wise mandrill, Rafiki. After sharing a moment with Kiara about her father's youth, Rafiki decides that the time has come to impart a much older and more complex history: the story of her grandfather Mufasa and his treacherous brother, Scar. With Timon and Pumbaa offering their own comedic commentary from the sidelines, Rafiki begins the tale of a lost cub and a prince destined for darkness.
The Orphan and the Prince
In a time long past, Mufasa is born to a small, loving family of lions consisting of his father Masego and his mother Afia. Throughout his early cubhood, his parents preach about a mythical, paradise-like land called Milele. Tragedy strikes when a devastating flood ravages their home. Paralyzed by fear, Mufasa is unable to reach Afia in time and is swept away by the raging waters, separating him from his parents. He washes ashore in a distant, unfamiliar land where he encounters a cub named Taka. Seeing an opportunity for mischief, Taka unexpectedly lures the lost Mufasa toward a river infested with crocodiles. However, before disaster can strike, Taka’s mother, Queen Eshe, intervenes and saves both cubs.
Queen Eshe takes pity on the stray and accepts Mufasa as her own son, a decision that angers Taka’s father, King Obasi, who grounds Taka for bringing an outsider into their territory. Desperate to prove he is not a burden, Mufasa claims he can be of service to the pride and challenges Taka to a race to demonstrate his speed. During the run, Mufasa lingers back, overcome by exhaustion. In a surprising moment of calculation and perhaps hidden empathy, Taka concedes defeat, allowing Mufasa to win so that he might be welcomed into the pride. Despite Obasi’s lingering reluctance, Mufasa is accepted, and the two cubs begin to grow up as brothers.
The White Lions' Vengeance
As Mufasa and Taka mature into adolescents, they forge a seemingly unbreakable brotherly bond. While Queen Eshe mentors Mufasa in the art of hunting, their peace is shattered by an ambush from two rogue white lions. In the ensuing struggle, Mufasa displays immense courage, killing one attacker and forcing the other to flee. Taka, witnessing the brutal combat, retreats in fear rather than aiding his brother and mother, earning the deep ire and disappointment of his father, King Obasi. The surviving white lion returns to his pride, the Outsiders, and reports the death of his kin to their leader, King Kiros. Kiros, along with his sisters Akua and Amara, swears blood vengeance against the lion who killed his son.
The Outsiders launch a brutal assault on the pride, slaughtering King Obasi, Queen Eshe, and their entire clan. Amidst the chaos of the massacre, Mufasa and Taka manage to escape, their survival narrowly secured when one of the pursuing Outsiders is snatched and eaten by a crocodile. Now orphans and the last of their pride, the brothers flee toward the horizon.
Journey to Milele
Upon reaching safe land, the exhausted brothers encounter a stray lioness named Sarabi, accompanied by her hornbill friend Zazu and a younger Rafiki. This version of Rafiki is an exile, having been cast out by his fellow monkeys and baboons for his eccentricities. Rafiki reveals he is on a pilgrimage to the legendary land of Milele to find a new home, and the group decides to follow him. As they travel, Taka begins to develop romantic feelings for the fierce and capable Sarabi. However, before he can act on his emotions, the vengeful Outsiders track them down.
In a desperate bid to escape, Sarabi utilizes a hive of bees to trigger a stampede within a passing herd of elephants, creating a chaotic distraction that blocks the Outsiders. During the escape, Sarabi falls and is injured. Mufasa rushes back to save her, carrying her to safety. Later, as Sarabi recovers, Mufasa lies to her, claiming it was Taka who saved her life, hoping to bolster his brother's standing in her eyes.
Betrayal in the Snow
The group seeks refuge in a treacherous range of snowy mountains. In a quiet moment, Sarabi reveals to Mufasa that she knows the truth—that it was he, not Taka, who saved her. This shared honesty blossoms into love, and the two become a couple. Secretly watching this development, Taka is consumed by jealousy. Feeling replaced and overshadowed, he slips away to meet with King Kiros and the Outsiders. Taka offers a chilling proposition: he will help Kiros exact revenge on Mufasa for his son's death in exchange for his own safety and status. The next day, the group finally arrives at Milele, a lush and vibrant oasis. As they enter paradise, Taka secretly leaves marks behind, creating a trail for the Outsiders to follow.
The Battle for the Oasis
As they settle into Milele, Rafiki formally dubs Mufasa his brother. The peace is short-lived as the Outsiders, following Taka's trail, launch their attack. In the heat of battle against King Kiros, Mufasa learns the devastating truth of Taka's betrayal. Despite the heartbreak, Mufasa rallies the animals of the land to stand against the white lions. Kiros forces Mufasa into a cave for a final duel. Witnessing his brother exhausted and cornered, Taka is struck by a wave of remorse. He intervenes, struggling against Kiros to protect Mufasa. During the scuffle, the evil king swipes his claws across Taka’s face, leaving a permanent scar over his eye.
Outside, Rafiki engineers a cave-in to stop the invaders, causing the cave to flood. Kiros’s sisters, Akua and Amara, are crushed and killed in the collapse while attempting to murder Sarabi and the remaining lions. Undeterred by the rising water, Kiros attempts to drown Mufasa. However, fate intervenes as a falling rock strikes Kiros, killing him instantly. Mufasa swims toward safety, while Taka, momentarily tempted to let his brother drown and take the throne, ultimately chooses to help him out of the water.
The Rise of King Mufasa
As the floodwaters recede, Mufasa and Sarabi emerge from the cave together, joining the celebration of their hard-fought victory. Rafiki officially crowns them King and Queen of the new pride. In a miraculous turn of events, Mufasa catches a familiar scent and reunites with his birth mother, Afia. She bears the heavy news that his father, Masego, perished during the recent flood, but comforts Mufasa by telling him that Masego lives on through him. With the Outsiders defeated and Kiros dead, the animals of Milele unanimously nominate Mufasa as their new king.
Attention then turns to the traitor. The animals question what is to become of Taka, who expresses deep remorse and begs for forgiveness. Zazu suggests banishment, but Mufasa, displaying the wisdom of a true king, declares that Taka may remain in Milele as a reward for his final act of redemption. However, the bond is forever altered; Mufasa states he will no longer use his brother's given name. In response, Taka suggests he be known as "Scar," a permanent reminder of his actions and the mark he now bears. Mufasa agrees, and Scar bows before him, acknowledging him as King.
The Circle Continues
With the animals gathered to witness history, Mufasa ascends the newly formed Pride Rock. He lets out a triumphant roar, establishing himself as the first and youngest King of Milele. Back in the present, the story concludes as Kiara stands proudly atop Pride Rock, roaring into the wind as the spirit of her grandfather Mufasa watches over her from the stars. Soon after, she reunites with Simba and Nala to meet her new little brother. Embracing her role as a big sister, Kiara begins to share the legend of Mufasa with the newborn cub, ensuring the legacy lives on.
