On December 20, Disney will release the newest story in its Lion King saga — Mufasa: The Lion King, helmed by director Barry Jenkins. The new story will be both a prequel and a sequel of sorts. It will continue telling the story of Simba, Nala, and their daughter, Kiara. But it will also take a deep dive into Mufasa’s origin story.
And it’s in Mufasa’s background where Disney completely messed up decades worth of storytelling.
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According to Disney, Mufasa: The Lion King will confirm that Mufasa and Scar are not brothers at all. They have two different sets of parents, and there is no indication that they are related. Furthermore, in Disney’s press release, they reveal that Mufasa has no royal blood and that the real future king of the Pride Lands is actually Taka, AKA Scar!
Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka, a lion prince with a bright future who accepts Mufasa into his family as a brother
Now, Disney, why the heck did you do that?!
In the original 1994 animated film, Mufasa tells Simba to look at the stars, where the great kings of the past are. Later in the film, Simba looks to the stars, sees his father, and gets the strength he needs to save his pride.
“Simba, let me tell you something that my father told me. Look at the stars. The great kings of the past look down on us from those stars.”
Related: Disney to Reclaim Theatric Crown With Live-Action ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’
This makes the audience think that Mufasa and Simba are descended from a royal line. They also indicate that Scar and Mufasa are related when Scar says that he got the intelligence, but, “when it comes to brute strength… I’m afraid I’m at the shallow end of the gene pool.”
But that is apparently not the case, and, if anything, Scar had the role of King taken from him. Granted, Scar was a terrible and selfish leader, so it worked out in the end, but that still doesn’t explain why Disney decided to change such an important moment.
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Especially because they could have changed Taka/Scar’s backstory and not ruined Lion King history.
What Disney Could Have Done
Let’s play armchair Disney storyteller for a minute. We’ve all done it, and it’s a lot of fun.
In Mufasa: The Lion King, Disney made Mufasa a nobody and Taka/Scar a lion prince, who accepts Mufasa and loves him like a brother. But what if they changed that and made Mufasa royal and Taka the one Mufasa’s family loved?
Let’s say this. Mufasa is part of a strong and royal pride of lions. Taka, who loses his parents, becomes a part of the pride and is adopted by Mufasa’s family. Mufasa loves Taka — who is older than him — like a brother, and Mufasa’s parents treat both cubs the same. They tell Taka that blood doesn’t make a family, and the adopted cub truly begins to believe it.
However, when it comes time to name a new king, Taka is shocked when it is not him. He is the oldest son, and that is who typically becomes King. That is when he learns that, while he was told that blood doesn’t make a family, it is apparently what matters most to Mufasa’s family and the rest of the pride.
That is when Taka’s jealousy begins to take hold and fester. His anger and jealousy only grow as he watches Mufasa get everything he wants, while Taka is left to take whatever is left over.
The birth of Simba is the straw that breaks the camel’s back and leads to what happens in Disney’s iconic animated film.
Fans were not happy to see that Disney was changing such a classic storyline after such a long time. All we can do is hope that Mufasa: The Lion King will give them answers they will be happy with.
Mufasa: The Lion King will premiere in theaters nationwide on December 20. The film stars Aaron Pierre as Mufasa, Thandiwe Newton as Taka’s mother, Eshe, Lennie James as Taka’s father, Obasi, Keith David as Mufasa’s father, Masego, and Anika Noni Rose as Mufasa’s mother, Afia.
Since the new film is also continuing Simba’s story, a number of actor’s from the 2019 live-action remake will also be returning. Donald Glover is returning as Mufasa, Beyoncé is back as Nala, and Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen are returning as Timon and Pumbaa. Beyoncé’s daughter, Blue Ivy, will also have her debut acting role as Kiara, Simba and Nala’s daughter.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and may not reflect the views of Disney Dining as a whole.
Do you think Disney should have changed Mufasa’s backstory in the new film? Let us know in the comments!
Another movie I will not spend money to go see. I really dislike when they change a beloved story.
Leave our classics alone and create something new.
Where have all the true storytellers gone?