Disney has unleashed the first teaser trailer for the hugely anticipated Lion King prequel Mufasa, which will explore the iconic character’s origins. Even more excitingly, the live-action/CG hybrid film will feature a voice acting debut for none other than 12-year-old Blue Ivy Carter, daughter of Beyoncé.
Blue Ivy has landed the plum role of voicing Kiara, the daughter of Nala and Simba to be born by the film’s end. Queen Bey herself will be reprising her role as the voice of Nala from 2019’s Lion King remake alongside Donald Glover returning as Simba.
Director Barry Jenkins, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind Moonlight, confirmed Blue Ivy’s casting to Entertainment Weekly, revealing it was her work on the Hair Love audiobook that sparked the idea. “I was like, ‘Is it worth a shot? Would Blue Ivy want to do it? Would Beyoncé want to act opposite her daughter?'”
Evidently both answered with resounding enthusiasm for this family affair, setting the stage for an adorable real-life mother-daughter dynamic to be captured on-screen.
The newly released teaser gives audiences their first glimpse of Mufasa’s lush CG environments blended with live-action elements as Rafiki, once again voiced by John Kani, regales the legend to young princess Kiara. It establishes a story that will depict the future king’s humble beginnings as an orphaned cub taken in by a young Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr.)
Their sibling bond forms the emotional core as Mufasa and Taka strive to fulfill their destiny and evade a deadly foe, whatever or whoever that may be. Additional cast includes Thando Mbedu, Folake Olowofoyeku, Sheila Atim and The Lion King’s Thandiwe Newton as Taka’s mother.
Honoring its African roots, the film features contributions from South African producer Lebo M who shaped the musical identity of The Lion King’s original animated classic and stage productions. This time Hamilton’s Lin-Manuel Miranda is handling the new song compositions.
Mufasa roars into theaters on December 20th, over three decades after the 1994 release of the iconic animated original. With Blue Ivy’s highly-anticipated acting debut and Beyoncé’s talent returning, this Lion King tale seems destined for a familial flavor sure to delight audiences of all ages.
