Disney unveils first trailer for 'Lion King' prequel 'Mufasa: The Lion King'

Disney has just released the very first trailer for the brand-new movie Mufasa: The Lion King.

This prequel to the popular 2019 live-action adaptation of The Lion King delves into the backstory of Mufasa, narrated by Rafiki as a retelling to Kiara, the daughter of Simba and Nala.

The film explores Mufasa’s journey from a lost orphaned cub to the beloved king of the Pride Lands, capturing his transformative impact as described by Rafiki: "a lion who would change our lives forever."

The rise from adversity to greatness, aided by the family he finds on his quest for destiny, promises to resonate and warm the hearts of many. 

Reprising her role as Nala, the queen herself, Beyonce is not alone as her daughter Blue Ivy Carter takes on the role of Kiara, bringing raw emotion to the screen with their heartwarming mother-daughter bond. 

Along with the star-studded cast,  award-winning songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda is also taking the helm, writing the film's songs.

Said Miranda, "Elton John. Tim Rice. Hans Zimmer. Lebo M. Mark Mancina. Beyoncé, Labrinth, Ilya Salmanzadeh. Beau Black, Ford Riley, the incredible music team on ‘The Lion Guard,’ and so many musical contributors over the years. The Lion King has an incredible musical legacy with music from some of the greatest songwriters around, and I'm humbled and proud to be a part of it. It's been a joy working alongside Barry Jenkins to bring Mufasa's story to life, and we can't wait for audiences to experience this film in theatres."

Using a mix of live-action techniques and computer-generated imagery, similar to the 2019 remake, Mufasa: The Lion King is sure to captivate both new and longtime fans of this iconic tale!

Mufasa: The Lion King is set to hit New Zealand cinemas on December 19, 2024.