Barry Jenkins is defending himself over criticism for helming the Disney prequel Mufasa: The Lion King.
After the trailer for The Lion King prequel dropped, fans of the Moonlight director took shots at him over his involvement with the film.
One social media user on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, said Jenkins was “too good and talented for this Iger’s soulless machine.”
“There is nothing soulless about The Lion King,” Jenkins replied. “For decades children have sat in theaters all over the world experiencing collective grief for the first time, engaging Shakespeare for the first time, across aisles in myriad languages. A most potent vessel for communal empathy.”
There is nothing soulless about The Lion King. For decades children have sat in theaters all over the world experiencing collective grief for the first time, engaging Shakespeare for the first time, across aisles in myriad languages.
After the trailer for The Lion King prequel dropped, fans of the Moonlight director took shots at him over his involvement with the film.
One social media user on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, said Jenkins was “too good and talented for this Iger’s soulless machine.”
“There is nothing soulless about The Lion King,” Jenkins replied. “For decades children have sat in theaters all over the world experiencing collective grief for the first time, engaging Shakespeare for the first time, across aisles in myriad languages. A most potent vessel for communal empathy.”
There is nothing soulless about The Lion King. For decades children have sat in theaters all over the world experiencing collective grief for the first time, engaging Shakespeare for the first time, across aisles in myriad languages.
- 5/1/2024
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Filmmaker Barry Jenkins has made some astounding progressive leaps in his career. In 2016, after one acclaimed but tiny-budgeted micro-indie, “Medicine For Melancholy,” he won the Academy Award for Best Picture at the 89th annual ceremony for his highly successful and critically acclaimed coming-of-age drama film “Moonlight.” While he’s made one film, “If Beale Street Could Talk”) and one series since (“The Underground Railroad”), Jenkins turned a lot of heads and arguably even shocked some—especially in the indie and arthouse film communities where he started—when it was announced that he would direct Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King,” a live-action photorealistic computer-generated imagery prequel to the similarly made 2019 “Lion King” film by Jon Favreau.
Continue reading ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’: Barry Jenkins Defends Film Over “Soulless Disney” Criticism Online at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’: Barry Jenkins Defends Film Over “Soulless Disney” Criticism Online at The Playlist.
- 5/1/2024
- by Caillou Pettis
- The Playlist
When Disney announced that they were going to do Mufasa: The Lion King, audiences were particularly not excited about the idea of a prequel. While the 2019 Lion King adaptation was a big hit at the box office, fans of the original animated classic were not happy with the photorealistic approach of the animals and how it took them out of the emotionality of the story.
The photorealistic approach to 2019’s Lion King was not appreciated by fans
When Barry Jenkins came in to direct Mufasa: The Lion King, there were hopes that the project might be great as the director has won an Oscar for 2016’s Moonlight. However, with the release of the first teaser trailer, fans continued to feel the same ‘soulless’ vibe of the 2019 adaptation, despite Jenkins saying otherwise.
Fans Believe Mufasa: The Lion King Adds to Disney’s Soulless Remake Trend
The trailer of Mufasa: The Lion King...
The photorealistic approach to 2019’s Lion King was not appreciated by fans
When Barry Jenkins came in to direct Mufasa: The Lion King, there were hopes that the project might be great as the director has won an Oscar for 2016’s Moonlight. However, with the release of the first teaser trailer, fans continued to feel the same ‘soulless’ vibe of the 2019 adaptation, despite Jenkins saying otherwise.
Fans Believe Mufasa: The Lion King Adds to Disney’s Soulless Remake Trend
The trailer of Mufasa: The Lion King...
- 5/1/2024
- by Rahul Thokchom
- FandomWire
Barry Jenkins defended his involvement in “Mufasa: The Lion King” after he was criticized on social media this week for helming the Disney live-action prequel.
Jenkins shared the first “Mufasa” trailer on X (formerly Twitter) following its release on Monday, which prompted some fans to criticize the filmmaker, known for the Oscar-winning films “Moonlight” and “If Beale Street Could Talk,” for working on such a mainstream project.
“Barry, You’re too good and talented for this Iger’s soulless machine,” one user wrote, referring to Disney CEO Bob Iger.
“There is nothing soulless about ‘The Lion King,'” Jenkins replied. “For decades children have sat in theaters all over the world experiencing collective grief for the first time, engaging Shakespeare for the first time, across aisles in myriad languages. A most potent vessel for communal empathy.”
There is nothing soulless about The Lion King. For decades children have sat in...
Jenkins shared the first “Mufasa” trailer on X (formerly Twitter) following its release on Monday, which prompted some fans to criticize the filmmaker, known for the Oscar-winning films “Moonlight” and “If Beale Street Could Talk,” for working on such a mainstream project.
“Barry, You’re too good and talented for this Iger’s soulless machine,” one user wrote, referring to Disney CEO Bob Iger.
“There is nothing soulless about ‘The Lion King,'” Jenkins replied. “For decades children have sat in theaters all over the world experiencing collective grief for the first time, engaging Shakespeare for the first time, across aisles in myriad languages. A most potent vessel for communal empathy.”
There is nothing soulless about The Lion King. For decades children have sat in...
- 5/1/2024
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
Barry Jenkins, the director behind movies such as Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk, may not have seemed like the obvious choice to helm Mufasa: The Lion King, but he’s not about to let people accuse him of selling out.
The first teaser trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King officially debuted yesterday, and Barry Jenkins shared it on social media. This prompted some to say that the director is “too good and talented for [Bob] Iger’s soulless machine,” but Jenkins was quick to defend himself. “There is nothing soulless about The Lion King,” Jenkins wrote on X. “For decades children have sat in theaters all over the world experiencing collective grief for the first time, engaging Shakespeare for the first time, across aisles in myriad languages. A most potent vessel for communal empathy.“
Related Mufasa: The Lion King starts its reign with the first teaser trailer
Another commenter chimed in,...
The first teaser trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King officially debuted yesterday, and Barry Jenkins shared it on social media. This prompted some to say that the director is “too good and talented for [Bob] Iger’s soulless machine,” but Jenkins was quick to defend himself. “There is nothing soulless about The Lion King,” Jenkins wrote on X. “For decades children have sat in theaters all over the world experiencing collective grief for the first time, engaging Shakespeare for the first time, across aisles in myriad languages. A most potent vessel for communal empathy.“
Related Mufasa: The Lion King starts its reign with the first teaser trailer
Another commenter chimed in,...
- 4/30/2024
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
Barry Jenkins isn’t necessarily feeling the love from every social media commenter over his involvement in Mufasa: The Lion King after the Disney prequel released its first trailer this week.
After screening footage at CinemaCon earlier this month, the film’s trailer was released online Monday and features narration from Rafiki (John Kani) explaining that the movie offers the origin story for Mufasa, the lion patriarch featured in 1994’s animated The Lion King and Jon Favreau’s 2019 photorealistic remake of the same name.
Jenkins took to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday to share the trailer, and his post was greeted with both favorable responses and also some negative ones, with the criticism apparently stemming from backlash to Disney’s trend of reimagining its previous animation hits. One user wrote, “Barry, You’re too good and talented for this Iger’s soulless machine,” referring to Disney CEO Bob Iger.
The filmmaker,...
After screening footage at CinemaCon earlier this month, the film’s trailer was released online Monday and features narration from Rafiki (John Kani) explaining that the movie offers the origin story for Mufasa, the lion patriarch featured in 1994’s animated The Lion King and Jon Favreau’s 2019 photorealistic remake of the same name.
Jenkins took to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday to share the trailer, and his post was greeted with both favorable responses and also some negative ones, with the criticism apparently stemming from backlash to Disney’s trend of reimagining its previous animation hits. One user wrote, “Barry, You’re too good and talented for this Iger’s soulless machine,” referring to Disney CEO Bob Iger.
The filmmaker,...
- 4/30/2024
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It may be your first time hearing something like this, but here it is. It turns out that The Lion King’s modern adaptation released back in 2019 never disturbed the creators by its critical failure — quite the contrary, it seems to have become an even bigger incentive to come up with a prequel that this time will revolve around Simba’s father Mufasa.
Set to be released this December, the upcoming movie called Mufasa: The Lion King has just dropped its first trailer making so many things even more controversial now.
The Lion King, the first installment of the technologically advanced franchise based on the 1994 iconic animated film of the same name, was directed by the MCU’s vet Jon Favreau and soon after the start of its production was proclaimed one of the most anticipated movies back in 2019. Despite all the buzz that surrounded The Lion King several months ahead of its theatrical release,...
Set to be released this December, the upcoming movie called Mufasa: The Lion King has just dropped its first trailer making so many things even more controversial now.
The Lion King, the first installment of the technologically advanced franchise based on the 1994 iconic animated film of the same name, was directed by the MCU’s vet Jon Favreau and soon after the start of its production was proclaimed one of the most anticipated movies back in 2019. Despite all the buzz that surrounded The Lion King several months ahead of its theatrical release,...
- 4/30/2024
- by benjamin-patel@startefacts.com (Benjamin Patel)
- STartefacts.com
The first trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King was released online yesterday, and when director Barry Jenkins took to social media to share the teaser, he opened himself up for quite a bit of criticism.
There seems to be a perception that Jenkins, who was nominated for an Academy Award for 2016's Best Picture winner Moonlight before going on to helm the critically-acclaimed If Beale Street Could Talk, has "sold out" by directing Disney's The Lion King prequel, which is seen by many as little more than a soulless cash-grab.
One response stated that Jenkins was "too good and talented for [Bob] Iger's soulless machine," while another - from someone who actually interviewed him when Moonlight premiered at TIFF - said the following:
"Come on man. I interviewed you when you premiered Moonlight at TIFF, and that Barry Jenkins wouldn’t have said what you just said. You can do a Disney movie for the check,...
There seems to be a perception that Jenkins, who was nominated for an Academy Award for 2016's Best Picture winner Moonlight before going on to helm the critically-acclaimed If Beale Street Could Talk, has "sold out" by directing Disney's The Lion King prequel, which is seen by many as little more than a soulless cash-grab.
One response stated that Jenkins was "too good and talented for [Bob] Iger's soulless machine," while another - from someone who actually interviewed him when Moonlight premiered at TIFF - said the following:
"Come on man. I interviewed you when you premiered Moonlight at TIFF, and that Barry Jenkins wouldn’t have said what you just said. You can do a Disney movie for the check,...
- 4/30/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
Marvel Studios has been taking pitch meetings with writers for the X-Men reboot since late last year, and recent reports indicate that we are very close to finding out who will pen the script for the project.
Once a scribe is in place, the studio will turn its attention to a director - but there's a good chance Kevin Feige and co. already have a list of filmmakers in mind that they feel could be the right person to bring the iconic mutant heroes back to the big screen.
In the latest edition of his newsletter, Jeff Sneider mentions Moonlight and Mufasa: The Lion King director Barry Jenkins as one filmmaker who could be on Marvel's radar to helm the movie. Sneider doesn't say Jenkins is actually in talks, but he seems to feel that if the upcoming Lion King prequel is a success, he might be a strong contender.
Once a scribe is in place, the studio will turn its attention to a director - but there's a good chance Kevin Feige and co. already have a list of filmmakers in mind that they feel could be the right person to bring the iconic mutant heroes back to the big screen.
In the latest edition of his newsletter, Jeff Sneider mentions Moonlight and Mufasa: The Lion King director Barry Jenkins as one filmmaker who could be on Marvel's radar to helm the movie. Sneider doesn't say Jenkins is actually in talks, but he seems to feel that if the upcoming Lion King prequel is a success, he might be a strong contender.
- 4/30/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
A prequel story to 2019’s Disney live-action movie, The Lion King, is upon us. The movie tells us the story of Mufasa, Simba’s father, and his journey to become the king of the jungle. Mufasa: The Lion King will be helmed by director Barry Jenkins of Moonlight fame, unlike Jon Favreau, who directed the 2019 feature, with Donald Glover and Beyoncé returning to voice Simba and Nala, respectively.
Screenshot from The Lion King Official Trailer | Walt Disney Studios – YouTube
For the Oscar winner, this Walt Disney production was quite different from the kind of movies he usually makes. And if not for Jeff Nathanson’s script, which had him hooked from the beginning, Jenkins could have almost said no to the project.
Barry Jenkins Almost Said No To Mufasa: The Lion King
Mufasa: The Lion King will have music from Nicholas Britell with Hans Zimmer and Williams returning after The Lion King.
Screenshot from The Lion King Official Trailer | Walt Disney Studios – YouTube
For the Oscar winner, this Walt Disney production was quite different from the kind of movies he usually makes. And if not for Jeff Nathanson’s script, which had him hooked from the beginning, Jenkins could have almost said no to the project.
Barry Jenkins Almost Said No To Mufasa: The Lion King
Mufasa: The Lion King will have music from Nicholas Britell with Hans Zimmer and Williams returning after The Lion King.
- 4/29/2024
- by Swagata Das
- FandomWire
With the arrival of the first trailer for the "live-action" "Lion King" prequel "Mufasa: The Lion King" came news that the film's music is being spearheaded by Lin-Manuel Miranda. In the aftermath of the smash success of his stage musical "Hamilton" (which was eventually released as a movie on Disney+), Miranda seemed to be the guy in Hollywood, working on music for things like "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," "Moana," "Vivo," and "Encanto," just to name a few, while also physically appearing on screen in "Mary Poppins Returns," "In the Heights," "His Dark Materials," and more. The dude was everywhere, and, as often happens when someone becomes overexposed, a backlash began. His past couple of years have been more subdued, and "Mufasa: The Lion King" marks his return to the familiar arms of The Walt Disney Company.
While it may not be surprising that the guy behind the music of...
While it may not be surprising that the guy behind the music of...
- 4/29/2024
- by Ben Pearson
- Slash Film
Filmmaker Barry Jenkins, the mastermind behind critically acclaimed pieces of work like Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk, is returning to the big screens. This time, he has another presumed masterpiece prepared for fans, which is also the prequel to the live-action The Lion King from 2019: Mufasa: The Lion King. That being said, he has quite a bit to talk about the upcoming movie.
Barry Jenkins. | Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
But of all the factors that have contributed to the making of this soon-to-be-released adventure musical, Jenkins is incredibly grateful to one Brooklyn Nine-Nine actor who was the genius brains behind the songs for his movie. This actor is none other than the 44-year-old songwriter cum actor renowned for masterpieces like 2020’s Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Barry Jenkins is Grateful to Lin-Manuel Miranda for Mufasa‘s Music
Before directing Mufasa: The Lion King, director Barry Jenkins was very cautious with helming musicals.
Barry Jenkins. | Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
But of all the factors that have contributed to the making of this soon-to-be-released adventure musical, Jenkins is incredibly grateful to one Brooklyn Nine-Nine actor who was the genius brains behind the songs for his movie. This actor is none other than the 44-year-old songwriter cum actor renowned for masterpieces like 2020’s Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Barry Jenkins is Grateful to Lin-Manuel Miranda for Mufasa‘s Music
Before directing Mufasa: The Lion King, director Barry Jenkins was very cautious with helming musicals.
- 4/29/2024
- by Mahin Sultan
- FandomWire
Disney released the first official trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King Monday, featuring a young and scruffy Mufasa’s rise as king of Pride Lands.
Mufasa: The Lion King marks the prequel to the 2019 live-action remake The Lion King, where Donald Glover and Beyoncé took on the roles of adult Simba and Nala, respectively. In the Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) prequel, Blue Ivy Carter joins the cast as the young lioness Kiara, the daughter of King Simba (Glover) and Queen Nala (Beyoncé). In Mufasa: The Lion King, which blends live-action filmmaking with photo-realistic,...
Mufasa: The Lion King marks the prequel to the 2019 live-action remake The Lion King, where Donald Glover and Beyoncé took on the roles of adult Simba and Nala, respectively. In the Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) prequel, Blue Ivy Carter joins the cast as the young lioness Kiara, the daughter of King Simba (Glover) and Queen Nala (Beyoncé). In Mufasa: The Lion King, which blends live-action filmmaking with photo-realistic,...
- 4/29/2024
- by Kalia Richardson
- Rollingstone.com
Mufasa: The Lion KingPhoto: Walt Disney Studios
If no one was asking for a live-action Lion King remake, then really no one—maybe even negative people—were asking for a live-action Lion King remake prequel. Even burgeoning auteur Barry Jenkins sounded a little confused about how he ended up...
If no one was asking for a live-action Lion King remake, then really no one—maybe even negative people—were asking for a live-action Lion King remake prequel. Even burgeoning auteur Barry Jenkins sounded a little confused about how he ended up...
- 4/29/2024
- by Mary Kate Carr
- avclub.com
The first teaser trailer for Disney’s “The Lion King” prequel, “Mufasa: The Lion King,” ended with a surprise reveal. The upcoming photo-real live-action animated feature, directed by “Moonlight” Oscar winner Barry Jenkins, will feature new music from Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Emmy Award-, Grammy Award-, and Tony Award-winning artist who is one Oscar away from becoming a member of the Egot club.
“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,” Miranda said in a statement. “It’s been a joy working alongside Barry Jenkins to bring Mufasa’s story to life, and we can’t...
“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,” Miranda said in a statement. “It’s been a joy working alongside Barry Jenkins to bring Mufasa’s story to life, and we can’t...
- 4/29/2024
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
Barry Jenkins’ “The Lion King” prequel has unveiled its first footage.
Following Jenkins’ appearance at the Disney panel at CinemaCon, the story of the unlikely rise of the titular king of the Pride Lands comes to life. “Mufasa: The Lion King” enlists Rafiki (John Kani) to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter), daughter of Simba (Donald Glover) and Nala (Beyoncé Knowles-Carter), with Timon (Billy Eichner) and Pumbaa (Seth Rogen) lending their signature schtick.
Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa (Aaron Pierre) as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny.
The cast also includes Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Anika Noni Rose, Keith David, Kagiso Lediga, Tiffany Boone, Lennie James,...
Following Jenkins’ appearance at the Disney panel at CinemaCon, the story of the unlikely rise of the titular king of the Pride Lands comes to life. “Mufasa: The Lion King” enlists Rafiki (John Kani) to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter), daughter of Simba (Donald Glover) and Nala (Beyoncé Knowles-Carter), with Timon (Billy Eichner) and Pumbaa (Seth Rogen) lending their signature schtick.
Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa (Aaron Pierre) as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny.
The cast also includes Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Anika Noni Rose, Keith David, Kagiso Lediga, Tiffany Boone, Lennie James,...
- 4/29/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Disney has dropped a teaser for Mufasa: The Lion King, a prequel for the studio’s 2019 photorealistic version of the animated 1994 classic The Lion King.
Directed by Oscar-winning director Barry Jenkins (Moonlight), the film sees the baboon Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to his granddaughter Kiara. According to the trailer description, the story will be told in flashbacks and follows Mufasa (meaning ‘king’ in Swahili) as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka—the heir to a royal bloodline.
Aaron Pierre will voice the titular Mufasa. Kelvin Harrison Jr., Mads Mikkelsen, and Thandiwe Newton will also voice key characters. In an addition, Blue Ivy Carter will voice Kiara, while real-life mother Beyoncé will return to play her onscreen mother Nala. Other returning voice cast members from the 2019 The Lion King include Donald Glover as Simba, and Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner as Timon and Pumbaa.
Directed by Oscar-winning director Barry Jenkins (Moonlight), the film sees the baboon Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to his granddaughter Kiara. According to the trailer description, the story will be told in flashbacks and follows Mufasa (meaning ‘king’ in Swahili) as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka—the heir to a royal bloodline.
Aaron Pierre will voice the titular Mufasa. Kelvin Harrison Jr., Mads Mikkelsen, and Thandiwe Newton will also voice key characters. In an addition, Blue Ivy Carter will voice Kiara, while real-life mother Beyoncé will return to play her onscreen mother Nala. Other returning voice cast members from the 2019 The Lion King include Donald Glover as Simba, and Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner as Timon and Pumbaa.
- 4/29/2024
- by Hannah Abraham and Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s the circle of life: The Lion King is back. Once again, Disney is returning to the Pride Lands with an ambitious origin story for Simba’s ill-fated father Mufasa, rendered with the same technologically-advanced photorealism of Jon Favreau’s 2019 remake. Much like its predecessor, Mufasa: The Lion King looks to be emulating that same grand majesty of the animal kingdom, albeit with the surprise enlistment of Moonlight director Barry Jenkins at the helm.
To make the leap from a Best Picture winner to an animated mega-franchise is certainly a major step, but Jenkins has his reasons. “I read the script written by Jeff Nathanson and got about 40 pages into it and realised that my scepticism and cynicism had been obliterated,” the filmmaker explains. Pair that with the impact that The Lion King has had on generations of audiences – from teaching kids Shakespeare to experiencing the weight of grief...
To make the leap from a Best Picture winner to an animated mega-franchise is certainly a major step, but Jenkins has his reasons. “I read the script written by Jeff Nathanson and got about 40 pages into it and realised that my scepticism and cynicism had been obliterated,” the filmmaker explains. Pair that with the impact that The Lion King has had on generations of audiences – from teaching kids Shakespeare to experiencing the weight of grief...
- 4/29/2024
- by Iana Murray
- Empire - Movies
The first teaser trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King has debuted online!
Moonlight‘s Barry Jenkins is directing the film with Lin-Manuel Miranda writing songs. The film will be released on December 20.
Here’s the synopsis: Mufasa: The Lion King enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka—the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny—their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.
We’ve learned of 6 stars from the 2019 movie who will return to voice their characters once again. Plus, Blue Ivy Carter has joined the cast!
Moonlight‘s Barry Jenkins is directing the film with Lin-Manuel Miranda writing songs. The film will be released on December 20.
Here’s the synopsis: Mufasa: The Lion King enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka—the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny—their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.
We’ve learned of 6 stars from the 2019 movie who will return to voice their characters once again. Plus, Blue Ivy Carter has joined the cast!
- 4/29/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
You have to admit, even the promise of it is fascinating: what does a photoreal-animated Lion King film look like when it comes from Barry Jenkins – the director of Moonlight, and If Beale Street Could Talk, and The Underground Railroad? We’re about to find out, because Jenkins is directing Mufasa: The Lion King, the follow-up to Jon Favreau’s 2019 The Lion King remake – ostensibly a prequel about the rise of Simba’s legendary dad, but also weaving in sequel threads following Simba and Nala’s burgeoning family. And it’s not that Jenkins is being parachuted in – he’s working with his regular cinematographer James Laxton, and editor Joi McMillon, bringing his impeccable craft to an entirely different type of filmmaking, with the biggest tools blockbusterdom can bring. Check out the trailer here:
There’s plenty to dig into here – particularly those big names in the cast list. While...
There’s plenty to dig into here – particularly those big names in the cast list. While...
- 4/29/2024
- by Ben Travis
- Empire - Movies
It’s time to head back to the Pride Lands in Barry Jenkins’ Lion King prequel. Watch the first Mufasa: The Lion King trailer below.
The Lion King, released in 2019, proved to be a controversial one. While early reactions praised the film’s visual effects, others found fault in its all-cgi creatures. Really, it was a strange move from Disney to call it a live-action version of such a beloved classic when it was all created on a computer screen.
Regardless, the film has spawned a prequel, and Moonlight director Barry Jenkins signed on to direct what we now know is called Mufasa.
Take a look at the Mufasa: The Lion King trailer below.
It certainly looks like it’s going to be more of the same, so if you weren’t a fan of 2019’s The Lion King, something tells us this might be a miss for you too.
The Lion King, released in 2019, proved to be a controversial one. While early reactions praised the film’s visual effects, others found fault in its all-cgi creatures. Really, it was a strange move from Disney to call it a live-action version of such a beloved classic when it was all created on a computer screen.
Regardless, the film has spawned a prequel, and Moonlight director Barry Jenkins signed on to direct what we now know is called Mufasa.
Take a look at the Mufasa: The Lion King trailer below.
It certainly looks like it’s going to be more of the same, so if you weren’t a fan of 2019’s The Lion King, something tells us this might be a miss for you too.
- 4/29/2024
- by Maria Lattila
- Film Stories
Filmmaker Barry Jenkins has made celebrated indies (“Medicine for Melancholy”), Academy Award-winning dramas, and an epic ten-part historical period series (“The Underground Railroad”), but his latest film, “Mufasa: The Lion King,” is easily his biggest and most ambitious leap to date. A live-action-styled photorealistic animated prequel to the 1994 film “The Lion King,” and the similar-looking 2019 remake from director Jon Favreau, Disney has released the first look trailer for the film that comes out in December.
Continue reading ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ Trailer: Barry Jenkins’ Live-Action Prequel Arrives In December at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ Trailer: Barry Jenkins’ Live-Action Prequel Arrives In December at The Playlist.
- 4/29/2024
- by Rodrigo Perez
- The Playlist
"The earth will shake... destiny awaits you." Disney has unveiled the teaser trailer for the Mufasa: The Lion King movie, from director Barry Jenkins (of Moonlight & If Beale Street Could Talk) jumping into the world of Disney for his next story. The prequel about the rise of one of the greatest kings of the Pride Lands, returns to the African savanna where Rafiki tells Kiara about her grandfather. Told with flashbacks, we're introduced to Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost & alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka—the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny. With the voices of Aaron Pierre as Mufasa, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, Billy Eichner as Timon, John Kani as Rafiki. Plus a big ensemble cast: Tiffany Boone, Kagiso Lediga, Preston Nyman,...
- 4/29/2024
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a movie that makes more than $1.6 billion at the box office is probably going to get another franchise entry greenlit very, very quickly. Such is the case with the 2019 "live-action" remake of "The Lion King," which didn't leave much of a pop culture imprint, but certainly had an impact on Disney's quarterly earnings report. Thus, this year will see the release of the prequel movie "Mufasa: The Lion King," which just dropped its first trailer during "Good Morning America."
As the title suggests, "Mufasa" is the story of Simba's father becoming king of the lions, despite being born "without a drop of nobility in his blood." The film was directed by Barry Jenkins, who joked at CinemaCon that this "eight-quadrant tentpole" is quite different from the types of films he's known for, but said that its story was "very personal" to him. Billy Eichner...
As the title suggests, "Mufasa" is the story of Simba's father becoming king of the lions, despite being born "without a drop of nobility in his blood." The film was directed by Barry Jenkins, who joked at CinemaCon that this "eight-quadrant tentpole" is quite different from the types of films he's known for, but said that its story was "very personal" to him. Billy Eichner...
- 4/29/2024
- by Hannah Shaw-Williams
- Slash Film
Disney has released the first trailer for “Mufasa: The Lion King,” a prequel to the 2019 photorealistic remake of “The Lion King,” and revealed that Blue Ivy Carter has joined the voice cast.
From “Moonlight” director Barry Jenkins, “Mufasa” will explore the titular lion’s origin story, depicting his childhood with his brother Taka aka Scar, who becomes the main antagonist in “The Lion King.” Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. will voice the younger versions of Mufasa and Scar, respectively. James Earl Jones voiced Mufasa in both the 1994 original film and 2019 remake. Jeremy Irons voiced Scar in 1994, while Chiwetel Ejiofor took over in 2019.
Many members of the 2019 voice cast are returning, including John Kani as Rafiki, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, Billy Eichner as Timon, Donald Glover as Simba and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala. Beyoncé’s daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, will play Kiara, the daughter of King Samba and Queen Nala.
From “Moonlight” director Barry Jenkins, “Mufasa” will explore the titular lion’s origin story, depicting his childhood with his brother Taka aka Scar, who becomes the main antagonist in “The Lion King.” Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. will voice the younger versions of Mufasa and Scar, respectively. James Earl Jones voiced Mufasa in both the 1994 original film and 2019 remake. Jeremy Irons voiced Scar in 1994, while Chiwetel Ejiofor took over in 2019.
Many members of the 2019 voice cast are returning, including John Kani as Rafiki, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, Billy Eichner as Timon, Donald Glover as Simba and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala. Beyoncé’s daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, will play Kiara, the daughter of King Samba and Queen Nala.
- 4/29/2024
- by Caroline Brew and Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Disney has revealed the first trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King, its upcoming Lion King prequel film from director Barry Jenkins (Moonlight).
The live-action/animated film stars Aaron Pierre as Mufasa and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Scar, along with Donald Glover (Simba), Beyoncé (Nala), Seth Rogen (Pumbaa), Billy Eichner (Timon), and John Kani (Rafiki) reprising their characters from the 2019 remake of The Lion King. Rounding out the voice cast are Mads Mikkelsen, Thandie Newton, and Beyoncé’s diaughter, Blue Ivy Carter.
Mufasa: The Lion King is set to open in theaters on December 20th, 2024. Jeff Nathanson, who wrote 2019’s The Lion King, returns as screenwriter, while Hans Zimmer, Pharrell Williams, and Nicholas Britell all contributed music to the new film.
Here’s the official plot synopsis provided by Disney: “Mufasa: The Lion King enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara (Blue Ivy), daughter of Simba and Nala,...
The live-action/animated film stars Aaron Pierre as Mufasa and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Scar, along with Donald Glover (Simba), Beyoncé (Nala), Seth Rogen (Pumbaa), Billy Eichner (Timon), and John Kani (Rafiki) reprising their characters from the 2019 remake of The Lion King. Rounding out the voice cast are Mads Mikkelsen, Thandie Newton, and Beyoncé’s diaughter, Blue Ivy Carter.
Mufasa: The Lion King is set to open in theaters on December 20th, 2024. Jeff Nathanson, who wrote 2019’s The Lion King, returns as screenwriter, while Hans Zimmer, Pharrell Williams, and Nicholas Britell all contributed music to the new film.
Here’s the official plot synopsis provided by Disney: “Mufasa: The Lion King enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara (Blue Ivy), daughter of Simba and Nala,...
- 4/29/2024
- by Scoop Harrison
- Consequence - Film News
Black Panther Party co-founder Huey P. Newton (played by Moonlight’s André Holland) is a wanted man in the upcoming caper The Big Cigar, premiering with the first two episodes Friday, May 17 on Apple TV+. New episodes will stream weekly through June 14.
A new trailer for the six-episode limited series previews Newton’s daring escape from the FBI, who viewed the thought leader as a threat and had been pursuing him for years.
More from TVLineNeuromancer: Callum Turner to Lead Apple's Series Adaptation of Sci-Fi ClassicJohn Travolta's Surprise Welcome Back, Kotter Reunion With Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs - WATCHRashida Jones...
A new trailer for the six-episode limited series previews Newton’s daring escape from the FBI, who viewed the thought leader as a threat and had been pursuing him for years.
More from TVLineNeuromancer: Callum Turner to Lead Apple's Series Adaptation of Sci-Fi ClassicJohn Travolta's Surprise Welcome Back, Kotter Reunion With Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs - WATCHRashida Jones...
- 4/24/2024
- by Keisha Hatchett
- TVLine.com
Roadside Attractions has acquired “Exhibiting Forgiveness,” the directorial debut of artist Titus Kaphar that premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
The drama, about an acclaimed painter whose life is upended by an unexpected visit from his estranged father, stars André Holland (“Moonlight”) and John Earl Jelks (“Miracle at St. Anna”), along with Oscar nominees Andra Day (“The United States vs. Billie Holiday”) and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (“King Richard”). Kaphar wrote the film, in addition to directing it.
“‘Exhibiting Forgiveness’ was produced by Stephanie Allain, Derek Cianfrance, Jamie Patricof and Sean Cotton. Roadside plans to open the film nationwide for the fall awards season.
Holland stars as Tarrell Rodin, an artist who lives with his wife, singer-songwriter Aisha (Day), and young son Jermaine. His artwork explores the anguish of his youth. His path to success is derailed when his father, La’Ron (Jelks), a recovering addict desperate to make amends,...
The drama, about an acclaimed painter whose life is upended by an unexpected visit from his estranged father, stars André Holland (“Moonlight”) and John Earl Jelks (“Miracle at St. Anna”), along with Oscar nominees Andra Day (“The United States vs. Billie Holiday”) and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (“King Richard”). Kaphar wrote the film, in addition to directing it.
“‘Exhibiting Forgiveness’ was produced by Stephanie Allain, Derek Cianfrance, Jamie Patricof and Sean Cotton. Roadside plans to open the film nationwide for the fall awards season.
Holland stars as Tarrell Rodin, an artist who lives with his wife, singer-songwriter Aisha (Day), and young son Jermaine. His artwork explores the anguish of his youth. His path to success is derailed when his father, La’Ron (Jelks), a recovering addict desperate to make amends,...
- 4/23/2024
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
At first, I was shocked by the news that Participant Media was dying. Such an appealing company. Smart. Mindful. Vibrant. Forward-thinking. The producer of intelligent films like Spotlight and Green Book, with a distinctly progressive message.
How could this be?
Then it finally hit me. Whatever else may have happened—announcing the shutdown, proprietor Jeff Skoll cited “revolutionary” changes in the entertainment business—Participant went under, I believe, because most of high-end Hollywood jumped into the company’s basically sound but modestly sized boat. The purpose-film niche was swamped.
It’s almost hard to remember that 20 years ago, when Participant was founded, the notion of a self-consciously message-oriented, activist film company was actually novel.
But, cinematically speaking, it was a much different world in 2004. The top movie that year was Shrek 2—not much message there. Culturally, the big story was a religious film, The Passion of the Christ. That hasn’t happened since.
How could this be?
Then it finally hit me. Whatever else may have happened—announcing the shutdown, proprietor Jeff Skoll cited “revolutionary” changes in the entertainment business—Participant went under, I believe, because most of high-end Hollywood jumped into the company’s basically sound but modestly sized boat. The purpose-film niche was swamped.
It’s almost hard to remember that 20 years ago, when Participant was founded, the notion of a self-consciously message-oriented, activist film company was actually novel.
But, cinematically speaking, it was a much different world in 2004. The top movie that year was Shrek 2—not much message there. Culturally, the big story was a religious film, The Passion of the Christ. That hasn’t happened since.
- 4/21/2024
- by Michael Cieply
- Deadline Film + TV
While Marvel only has one theatrical release this year with Deadpool and Wolverine, 2025 seems to be a packed year for the franchise. Apart from Captain America: Brave New World and The Fantastic Four, the MCU will also see Mahershala Ali’s Blade making it to the big screens in November 2025.
After multiple delays due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes and key personnel changes, Ali’s Blade is reportedly headed for filming in the summer. According to Jeff Sneider, the team behind the film has finally cracked a script that will satisfy fans of Blade and that they would be headed to film in New Mexico.
Mahershala Ali’s Blade Is Finally Happening Mahershala Ali in Luke Cage
Mahershala Ali was announced as the MCU’s Blade way back in 2019. Marvel President Kevin Feige had revealed at the San Diego Comic-Con that the Oscar-winner would be joining the MCU and...
After multiple delays due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes and key personnel changes, Ali’s Blade is reportedly headed for filming in the summer. According to Jeff Sneider, the team behind the film has finally cracked a script that will satisfy fans of Blade and that they would be headed to film in New Mexico.
Mahershala Ali’s Blade Is Finally Happening Mahershala Ali in Luke Cage
Mahershala Ali was announced as the MCU’s Blade way back in 2019. Marvel President Kevin Feige had revealed at the San Diego Comic-Con that the Oscar-winner would be joining the MCU and...
- 4/19/2024
- by Nishanth A
- FandomWire
After 20 years, Participant is shutting down.
Founder Jeff Skoll announced the news in a note to staff Tuesday, writing, “after much reflection, I have made the very difficult decision to wind down company operations.” During its run, the company was behind best picture winners Green Book and Moonlight, and docs such as An Inconvenient Truth and Rbg.
EBay co-founder Skoll founded the company in 2004 with a dual mission of making money and inspiring social change through entertainment (the company later moved into television and other ventures). It has helped produce and finance a slew of high-profile awards contenders. Its films won 21 Oscars and its series won 18 Emmys. It earned more than $3.3 billion at the box office. Veteran studio executive David Linde has been running Participant since 2016; previous execs involved in Participant include Ricky Strauss.
It was heavily involved in the nonfiction space, with its shuttering sure to send ripples through that community.
Founder Jeff Skoll announced the news in a note to staff Tuesday, writing, “after much reflection, I have made the very difficult decision to wind down company operations.” During its run, the company was behind best picture winners Green Book and Moonlight, and docs such as An Inconvenient Truth and Rbg.
EBay co-founder Skoll founded the company in 2004 with a dual mission of making money and inspiring social change through entertainment (the company later moved into television and other ventures). It has helped produce and finance a slew of high-profile awards contenders. Its films won 21 Oscars and its series won 18 Emmys. It earned more than $3.3 billion at the box office. Veteran studio executive David Linde has been running Participant since 2016; previous execs involved in Participant include Ricky Strauss.
It was heavily involved in the nonfiction space, with its shuttering sure to send ripples through that community.
- 4/16/2024
- by Aaron Couch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Five full weeks after the Oscars, the Writers Guild of America finally got around to giving out its awards. Oscar winner Cord Jefferson (“American Fiction”) won the original screenplay prize while David Hemingson (“The Holdovers”) picked up the adapted screenplay trophy; he had lost at the Oscars to “Anatomy of a Fall,” which was ineligible here.
Three other scripts deemed ineligible by the WGA went on to win Oscars in the past decade: “Birdman” (2015; original), “The Father” (2021; adapted), and “Belfast” (2022; original). During that time, 68 of the WGA Awards nominees numbered among the 100 screenplays that reaped Oscar bids.
Two other Oscar contenders — “Poor Things,” and “The Zone of Interest” — were ruled out of the running by the guild before nominations were announced way back on Feb. 21. The WGA included “Barbie” in the original lineup while the academy had it over in adapted. That was the third time in a decade that...
Three other scripts deemed ineligible by the WGA went on to win Oscars in the past decade: “Birdman” (2015; original), “The Father” (2021; adapted), and “Belfast” (2022; original). During that time, 68 of the WGA Awards nominees numbered among the 100 screenplays that reaped Oscar bids.
Two other Oscar contenders — “Poor Things,” and “The Zone of Interest” — were ruled out of the running by the guild before nominations were announced way back on Feb. 21. The WGA included “Barbie” in the original lineup while the academy had it over in adapted. That was the third time in a decade that...
- 4/15/2024
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King is slated for a year-end release. The upcoming prequel to 2019’s adventure musical The Lion King is helmed by filmmaker Barry Jenkins who has made Oscar-winning films like If Beale Street Could Talk and Moonlight.
Jenkins recently appeared at CinemaCon 2024 and discussed his new Disney venture. The Moonlight director also addressed the biggest criticism his prequel film and its 2019 predecessor faced. Many fans doubt if 2024’s Mufasa: The Lion King will also walk down the same path as director Jon Favreau’s film.
Image by Jian Maldonado | Wikimedia Commons
Barry Jenkins “Addresses” The Biggest Criticism For Mufasa: The Lion King
2024’s CinemaCon is creating a lot of buzz lately. Fans have been talking about Dwayne Johnson showing his epic dance moves to introduce Moana 2 at the event. Big industry personalities like Kevin Feige attended the event. The Marvel boss also sang praises of the upcoming Deadpool 3.
Jenkins recently appeared at CinemaCon 2024 and discussed his new Disney venture. The Moonlight director also addressed the biggest criticism his prequel film and its 2019 predecessor faced. Many fans doubt if 2024’s Mufasa: The Lion King will also walk down the same path as director Jon Favreau’s film.
Image by Jian Maldonado | Wikimedia Commons
Barry Jenkins “Addresses” The Biggest Criticism For Mufasa: The Lion King
2024’s CinemaCon is creating a lot of buzz lately. Fans have been talking about Dwayne Johnson showing his epic dance moves to introduce Moana 2 at the event. Big industry personalities like Kevin Feige attended the event. The Marvel boss also sang praises of the upcoming Deadpool 3.
- 4/12/2024
- by Disha Kandpal
- FandomWire
Disney entertained the CinemaCon crowd in Las Vegas on Thursday with 75 minutes of footage including big crowd-pleasers Deadpool & Wolverine, Inside Out 2, and Alien: Romulus, and an appearance by Dwayne Johnson to promote Moana 2.
Fresh from a victorious boardroom battle for CEO Bob Iger and on the back of a year when Disney ceded its box office throne to Universal, the pressure was on the studio to bring the goods at its presentation – and it delivered with a rousing roster of peeks at 2024 tentpoles and one from the 2025 pipeline.
Barry Jenkins also appeared on stage at The Colosseum...
Fresh from a victorious boardroom battle for CEO Bob Iger and on the back of a year when Disney ceded its box office throne to Universal, the pressure was on the studio to bring the goods at its presentation – and it delivered with a rousing roster of peeks at 2024 tentpoles and one from the 2025 pipeline.
Barry Jenkins also appeared on stage at The Colosseum...
- 4/12/2024
- ScreenDaily
Few movies embody the pre-pandemic moviegoing days quite like "The Lion King," an expensive, fully CGI remake of a hand-drawn animation classic, which made over $1.5 billion in 2019 yet rarely seems to come up in pop culture conversations since its release. Whether you loved, hated, or forgot about the box office behemoth, we think its sequel, "Mufasa: The Lion King," is still worth considering. That's because the follow-up film is directed by Barry Jenkins, the wildly talented filmmaker behind Best Picture winner "Moonlight" and the recent Criterion Collection addition "The Underground Railroad," among other masterpieces.
/Film's own Ryan Scott caught an exclusive glimpse of "Mufasa: The Lion King" today in Las Vegas at CinemaCon, where Hollywood goes each year to show off the latest and greatest movies it has to offer. The "Lion King" prequel, which will reportedly tell a new story about a younger Mufasa and Scar, isn't set to...
/Film's own Ryan Scott caught an exclusive glimpse of "Mufasa: The Lion King" today in Las Vegas at CinemaCon, where Hollywood goes each year to show off the latest and greatest movies it has to offer. The "Lion King" prequel, which will reportedly tell a new story about a younger Mufasa and Scar, isn't set to...
- 4/11/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Disney is welcoming the king of the Pride Lands back to Las Vegas. The studio unveiled a stirring, all-new trailer of “Mufasa: The Lion King” on Thursday at CinemaCon, the annual convention for movie theater owners.
“Mufasa: The Lion King” is expected to focus on the early years of the eventual ruler of the animals, as well as his menacing younger brother Scar. The film will feature the voices of Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as the younger version of Mufasa (voiced by James Earl Jones in the 1994 film and 2019 remake) and Scar (voiced by Jeremy Irons in the 1994 version and Chiwetel Ejiofor in the 2019 remake).
The brief but majestic footage, which isn’t yet available to the public, explores the same stunningly realistic African savannah as its predecessor and begins with the iconic “Lion King” overture. A young Mufasa is seen leaping over rhinos and all kinds of...
“Mufasa: The Lion King” is expected to focus on the early years of the eventual ruler of the animals, as well as his menacing younger brother Scar. The film will feature the voices of Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as the younger version of Mufasa (voiced by James Earl Jones in the 1994 film and 2019 remake) and Scar (voiced by Jeremy Irons in the 1994 version and Chiwetel Ejiofor in the 2019 remake).
The brief but majestic footage, which isn’t yet available to the public, explores the same stunningly realistic African savannah as its predecessor and begins with the iconic “Lion King” overture. A young Mufasa is seen leaping over rhinos and all kinds of...
- 4/11/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Walt Disney Pictures brought the Pride Lands to Sin City. The studio unveiled footage of “Mufasa: The Lion King” at their CinemaCon panel this Monday, showcasing Barry Jenkins’ prequel of the 2019 “Lion King” remake.
Jenkins accompanied the film to Las Vegas at CinemaCon, and he explained to the crowd, “what the director of ‘Moonlight’ is doing here to tell me about an 8-quadrant legacy film.” Well, he said making it was “one of the best decisions I ever made in my life.”
A photorealistic CGI film in the vein of the 2019 film, “Mufasa: The Lion King” will focus on the ascension of Mufasa (voiced in the prequel by “The Underground Railroad” star Aaron Pierre) to the ruler of the Pride Lands. Kelvin Harrison Jr. will also star as Scar, along with Seth Rogan, Billy Eichner, and John Kani all reprising their roles from the 2019 “Lion King” as Pumbaa, Timon, and Raifiki,...
Jenkins accompanied the film to Las Vegas at CinemaCon, and he explained to the crowd, “what the director of ‘Moonlight’ is doing here to tell me about an 8-quadrant legacy film.” Well, he said making it was “one of the best decisions I ever made in my life.”
A photorealistic CGI film in the vein of the 2019 film, “Mufasa: The Lion King” will focus on the ascension of Mufasa (voiced in the prequel by “The Underground Railroad” star Aaron Pierre) to the ruler of the Pride Lands. Kelvin Harrison Jr. will also star as Scar, along with Seth Rogan, Billy Eichner, and John Kani all reprising their roles from the 2019 “Lion King” as Pumbaa, Timon, and Raifiki,...
- 4/11/2024
- by Brian Welk and Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Mufasa: The Lion King is coming out of the shadows and beginning to practice its roar.
On Tuesday, Disney and director Barry Jenkins played the movie’s first teaser trailer for theater owners gathered together this week in Las Vegas for CinemaCon. The teaser received a resounding round of applause for its stunning visuals and tone, and will be released in the coming weeks.
“It’s an expansive adventure,” said Jenkins when taking the stage.
The curiosity factor is running high when it comes to Mufasa. The music-infused film is an origin story and follow-up to Jon Favreau’s 2019 photorealistic movie The Lion King, which in turn was based on the 1994 Disney animated classic. “The film features the same immersive, photoreal environment that wowed audiences the first time,” said Disney global distribution president Tony Chambers.
Favreau’s version grossed a massive $1.7 billion at the global box office to become the...
On Tuesday, Disney and director Barry Jenkins played the movie’s first teaser trailer for theater owners gathered together this week in Las Vegas for CinemaCon. The teaser received a resounding round of applause for its stunning visuals and tone, and will be released in the coming weeks.
“It’s an expansive adventure,” said Jenkins when taking the stage.
The curiosity factor is running high when it comes to Mufasa. The music-infused film is an origin story and follow-up to Jon Favreau’s 2019 photorealistic movie The Lion King, which in turn was based on the 1994 Disney animated classic. “The film features the same immersive, photoreal environment that wowed audiences the first time,” said Disney global distribution president Tony Chambers.
Favreau’s version grossed a massive $1.7 billion at the global box office to become the...
- 4/11/2024
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
If you’ve yet to catch up on blockbusters like Dune and Barbie; hit series such as Succession, True Detective and Curb Your Enthusiasm; or the popular Quiet on Set docuseries, you may want to take advantage of Max‘s soon-to-end streaming deal.
Save Up to 45% off Max Streaming Plans
Through April 9, the Warner Bros. Discovery-owned streaming service (formerly HBO Max) is offering up to 45 percent off with a new promo for new, returning and existing Max customers who pre-pay for an annual plan. That means you can get Max’s Ultimate Ad-Free tier with 4K Ultra HD streaming, immersive Dolby Atmos, up to 100 downloads and the B/R Sports add-on for only $11.67 per month (regularly $19.99 monthly), or $139.99 for the first year.
Regularly $9.99-$19.99 per month (or $99.99-$199.99 per year), Max is only $69.99-$139.99 for yearly subscriptions, plus you’ll get the B/R Sports Add-On (regularly $9.99 per month...
Save Up to 45% off Max Streaming Plans
Through April 9, the Warner Bros. Discovery-owned streaming service (formerly HBO Max) is offering up to 45 percent off with a new promo for new, returning and existing Max customers who pre-pay for an annual plan. That means you can get Max’s Ultimate Ad-Free tier with 4K Ultra HD streaming, immersive Dolby Atmos, up to 100 downloads and the B/R Sports add-on for only $11.67 per month (regularly $19.99 monthly), or $139.99 for the first year.
Regularly $9.99-$19.99 per month (or $99.99-$199.99 per year), Max is only $69.99-$139.99 for yearly subscriptions, plus you’ll get the B/R Sports Add-On (regularly $9.99 per month...
- 4/9/2024
- by Danielle Directo-Meston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Neo is getting a new look courtesy of a new entry in “The Matrix” franchise.
Warner Bros. announced that the studio is in the works on a new “Matrix” installment courtesy of Oscar-nominated filmmaker Drew Goddard, who wrote the screenplay for “The Martian” and co-wrote and directed “The Cabin in the Woods.” Goddard will write and direct a new “Matrix” movie for the studio, as well as produce with partner Sarah Esberg via their Goddard Textiles banner.
“The Matrix” film series writer/director and co-creator Lana Wachowski is executive producing. No casting or plot details were unveiled.
“Drew came to Warner Bros. with a new idea that we all believe would be an incredible way to continue the ‘Matrix’ world, by both honoring what Lana and Lilly began over 25-years ago and offering a unique perspective based on his own love of the series and characters,” Jesse Ehrman, Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. announced that the studio is in the works on a new “Matrix” installment courtesy of Oscar-nominated filmmaker Drew Goddard, who wrote the screenplay for “The Martian” and co-wrote and directed “The Cabin in the Woods.” Goddard will write and direct a new “Matrix” movie for the studio, as well as produce with partner Sarah Esberg via their Goddard Textiles banner.
“The Matrix” film series writer/director and co-creator Lana Wachowski is executive producing. No casting or plot details were unveiled.
“Drew came to Warner Bros. with a new idea that we all believe would be an incredible way to continue the ‘Matrix’ world, by both honoring what Lana and Lilly began over 25-years ago and offering a unique perspective based on his own love of the series and characters,” Jesse Ehrman, Warner Bros.
- 4/3/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Exclusive: In a seven-figure deal, Shout! Studios has acquired all North American rights to The Wasp, a psychological thriller starring Academy Award nominee Naomie Harris (Moonlight) and Natalie Dormer (Game of Thrones), which adapts the play by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm.
Written by Malcolm and directed by two-time BAFTA nominee Guillem Morales (Inside Number 9), in his English-language debut, the film will be released in theaters this summer.
In The Wasp, Heather (Harris) and Carla (Dormer) agree to meet after having not spoken in years. Over tea, Heather presents a very unexpected proposition that will change their lives forever.
Nate Bolotin and Maxime Cottray from XYZ Films produced, with James Harris and Leonora Darby of Tea Shop Productions, Sean Sorensen of Royal Viking Entertainment and Matthew B. Schmidt of Paradise City Films also producing. Julie Dansker and Jordan Fields of Shout! Studios are executive producers. XYZ Films financed in association with Ipr.Vc and Three Point Capital.
Written by Malcolm and directed by two-time BAFTA nominee Guillem Morales (Inside Number 9), in his English-language debut, the film will be released in theaters this summer.
In The Wasp, Heather (Harris) and Carla (Dormer) agree to meet after having not spoken in years. Over tea, Heather presents a very unexpected proposition that will change their lives forever.
Nate Bolotin and Maxime Cottray from XYZ Films produced, with James Harris and Leonora Darby of Tea Shop Productions, Sean Sorensen of Royal Viking Entertainment and Matthew B. Schmidt of Paradise City Films also producing. Julie Dansker and Jordan Fields of Shout! Studios are executive producers. XYZ Films financed in association with Ipr.Vc and Three Point Capital.
- 4/2/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Apple’s Invasion is rounding out its Season 3 cast with Ashton Sanders and Eric Lange who will tackle major recurring roles.
As Deadline revealed this week, Erika Alexander will appear as a series regular in the Simon Kinberg and David Weil-created series. In addition to Alexander, the ensemble also includes Golshifteh Farahani, Shioli Kutsuna, Shamier Anderson, India Brown, Billy Barratt, Azhy Robertson, Tara Moayedi, Enver Gjokaj and Shane Zaza.
Invasion follows an alien invasion through different perspectives around the world. Details regarding the Season 3 storyline and who Sanders and Lange will play are under wraps. The first and second seasons are now streaming globally on Apple TV+.
Produced for Apple TV+ by Boat Rocker, the series is created by Kinberg and Weil, who serve as executive producers alongside Audrey Chon, David Witz, Alik Sakharov, Andrew Baldwin, Dan Dietz and Katie O’Connell Marsh.
As Deadline revealed this week, Erika Alexander will appear as a series regular in the Simon Kinberg and David Weil-created series. In addition to Alexander, the ensemble also includes Golshifteh Farahani, Shioli Kutsuna, Shamier Anderson, India Brown, Billy Barratt, Azhy Robertson, Tara Moayedi, Enver Gjokaj and Shane Zaza.
Invasion follows an alien invasion through different perspectives around the world. Details regarding the Season 3 storyline and who Sanders and Lange will play are under wraps. The first and second seasons are now streaming globally on Apple TV+.
Produced for Apple TV+ by Boat Rocker, the series is created by Kinberg and Weil, who serve as executive producers alongside Audrey Chon, David Witz, Alik Sakharov, Andrew Baldwin, Dan Dietz and Katie O’Connell Marsh.
- 3/29/2024
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Actress Regina King is known for her role as Sharon Rivers in the film If Beale Street Could Talk. King won the Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress for the role. She then went on to win a Primetime Emmy Award, her fourth, for her role as Sister Night a.k.a Angela Abar in the HBO series Watchmen.
King has since gone on to be a producer and has also been the director of several episodes of TV and made her feature film debut with One Night in Miami. The film was nominated for the Oscars for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Song. The actress mentioned how Hollywood gave her the power to tell marginalized stories not just as an actor, but also as a producer and director.
Regina King’s Career And Life A still from If Beale Street Could Talk
Regina King...
King has since gone on to be a producer and has also been the director of several episodes of TV and made her feature film debut with One Night in Miami. The film was nominated for the Oscars for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Song. The actress mentioned how Hollywood gave her the power to tell marginalized stories not just as an actor, but also as a producer and director.
Regina King’s Career And Life A still from If Beale Street Could Talk
Regina King...
- 3/27/2024
- by Nishanth A
- FandomWire
The Human Rights Campaign honored Jean Smart and Sterling K. Brown at its 2024 Los Angeles Dinner, held on Saturday night at the Fairmont Century Plaza and featuring a keynote speech by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden.
The night — which toasted those working for LGBTQ+ equality — kicked off with Biden’s speech following a short introduction from both First Daughter Ashley Biden and Hrc president Kelly Robinson. Early into the her address, the first lady was interrupted by protesters shouting, “Ceasefire now.” One person who was escorted out by security held up a sign that read, “Queer Jews Say Ceasefire Now.” Biden momentarily paused her speech, but didn’t directly address the protesters.
Biden spoke about her relationship with the president before jumping into issues the LGBTQ+ are currently facing. “This community is under attack,” Biden told the crowd. “Rights are being stripped away. Freedoms are eroding. More and more state laws are being passed,...
The night — which toasted those working for LGBTQ+ equality — kicked off with Biden’s speech following a short introduction from both First Daughter Ashley Biden and Hrc president Kelly Robinson. Early into the her address, the first lady was interrupted by protesters shouting, “Ceasefire now.” One person who was escorted out by security held up a sign that read, “Queer Jews Say Ceasefire Now.” Biden momentarily paused her speech, but didn’t directly address the protesters.
Biden spoke about her relationship with the president before jumping into issues the LGBTQ+ are currently facing. “This community is under attack,” Biden told the crowd. “Rights are being stripped away. Freedoms are eroding. More and more state laws are being passed,...
- 3/24/2024
- by Nicole Fell
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
We’ve touted Kanopy as a hidden gem and one of the best kept secrets in streaming since the days when Paramount+ was still CBS All Access. The streaming marketplace has grown so much since then that it is now ready to shrink, but Kanopy is well-positioned to survive the coming consolidation thanks to its unique business model.
Kanopy serves two very different masters: libraries and movie studios. Kanopy is the ad-free streaming service that you did not know you could (potentially) access with just a library card or a university ID. Its library consists of classic films and new releases, and costs the end user exactly…free.
Best of all? Kanopy is profitable, Gm Jason Tyrrell tells IndieWire.
The money flows like this: Tax dollars pay libraries, libraries pay Kanopy (when a member streams at least 30 seconds of its content) for access, and Kanopy pays studios to license their content,...
Kanopy serves two very different masters: libraries and movie studios. Kanopy is the ad-free streaming service that you did not know you could (potentially) access with just a library card or a university ID. Its library consists of classic films and new releases, and costs the end user exactly…free.
Best of all? Kanopy is profitable, Gm Jason Tyrrell tells IndieWire.
The money flows like this: Tax dollars pay libraries, libraries pay Kanopy (when a member streams at least 30 seconds of its content) for access, and Kanopy pays studios to license their content,...
- 3/22/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
One of the funniest moments at the recent Academy Awards ceremony occurred when Best Supporting Actress nominee Emily Blunt (“Oppenheimer”) and Best Supporting Actor nominee Ryan Gosling (“Barbie”) appeared together to pay a special tribute to the talented stunt performers who are so often overlooked for their indelible contributions to the motion picture industry. Blunt and Gosling traded barbs over their “Barbenheimer” feud — the result of their films competing against each other at the box office as well as the entire awards season. If their chemistry suggested anything, it’s that moviegoers are in for a real treat when their upcoming film “The Fall Guy” drops into theaters in May.
While Blunt and Gosling bluntly made light of their dispute, they weren’t the only Oscar presenters with scores to settle. There were several other big Hollywood stars who reunited on the stage alongside one of their past Oscar rivals,...
While Blunt and Gosling bluntly made light of their dispute, they weren’t the only Oscar presenters with scores to settle. There were several other big Hollywood stars who reunited on the stage alongside one of their past Oscar rivals,...
- 3/21/2024
- by Tariq Khan
- Gold Derby
The world of entertainment has seen many unfortunate incidents when an actor reportedly lost a role due to one thing or another. While actors like Emily Blunt lost a Marvel role due to contractual obligations, Mahershala Ali, on the other hand, lost a very amazing opportunity due to Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Blade.
Mahershala Ali (Image: Instagram | @mahershalaali)
While Blade seems to be forever struck by developmental delays and whatnot, Ali could have been Lt. Jim Gordon in Matt Reeves’ The Batman had it not been for it. With a sequel for the Robert Pattinson starter flick already in the works, it seems unfortunate that Ali lost on such an incredible opportunity.
Mahershala Ali Could Have Been Robert Pattinson’s, Lt. Jim Gordon Robert Pattinson and Jeffrey Wright in a still from The Batman
With an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and an amazing Google score coupled with some excellent feedback from critics,...
Mahershala Ali (Image: Instagram | @mahershalaali)
While Blade seems to be forever struck by developmental delays and whatnot, Ali could have been Lt. Jim Gordon in Matt Reeves’ The Batman had it not been for it. With a sequel for the Robert Pattinson starter flick already in the works, it seems unfortunate that Ali lost on such an incredible opportunity.
Mahershala Ali Could Have Been Robert Pattinson’s, Lt. Jim Gordon Robert Pattinson and Jeffrey Wright in a still from The Batman
With an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and an amazing Google score coupled with some excellent feedback from critics,...
- 3/20/2024
- by Maria Sultan
- FandomWire
Naomie Harris is the latest to join the Steven Soderbergh thriller Black Bag at Focus Features. The film stars Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchett, Rege-Jean Page and Marisa Abela. Soderbergh will direct from a script by David Koepp. Casey Silver and Greg Jacobs are producing.
Plot details are being kept under wraps other than it being described as a spy thriller. Deadline broke the news last month that Focus had landed the hot package after it hit the market and the plan is to shoot this spring.
The Oscar-nominated actress, best known for roles in Moonlight and Skyfall, was most recently seen in the Showtime series The Man That Fell To Earth. On the film side, she was seen in Apple’s Swan Song opposite Mahershala Ali.
She is repped by Untitled Entertainment, WME, Artists Partnership and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.
Plot details are being kept under wraps other than it being described as a spy thriller. Deadline broke the news last month that Focus had landed the hot package after it hit the market and the plan is to shoot this spring.
The Oscar-nominated actress, best known for roles in Moonlight and Skyfall, was most recently seen in the Showtime series The Man That Fell To Earth. On the film side, she was seen in Apple’s Swan Song opposite Mahershala Ali.
She is repped by Untitled Entertainment, WME, Artists Partnership and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.
- 3/19/2024
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Naomie Harris, Pierce Brosnan and Tom Burke have joined the high-flying cast of Black Bag, the spy thriller that Steven Soderbergh is directing for Focus Features.
Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Regé Jean Page and Marisa Abela are already in Bag, whose plot details are being kept under the trench coat. David Koepp wrote the script.
Production begins in May in London, with Casey Silver and Greg Jacobs producing.
Harris earned an Academy Award nomination for her work in Barry Jenkins’ 2016 drama Moonlight and is known for playing Moneypenny in the Daniel Craig James Bond movies. She recently starred with Chiwetel Ejiofor in the Netflix series The Man Who Fell to Earth. The actress is repped by WME, Untitled Entertainment and U.K.’s The Artists Partnership.
Brosnan knows his way around spy movies as the actor played James Bond in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He starred in a trio...
Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Regé Jean Page and Marisa Abela are already in Bag, whose plot details are being kept under the trench coat. David Koepp wrote the script.
Production begins in May in London, with Casey Silver and Greg Jacobs producing.
Harris earned an Academy Award nomination for her work in Barry Jenkins’ 2016 drama Moonlight and is known for playing Moneypenny in the Daniel Craig James Bond movies. She recently starred with Chiwetel Ejiofor in the Netflix series The Man Who Fell to Earth. The actress is repped by WME, Untitled Entertainment and U.K.’s The Artists Partnership.
Brosnan knows his way around spy movies as the actor played James Bond in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He starred in a trio...
- 3/19/2024
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The upcoming superhero movie, Blade, is based on the Marvel Comics superhero of the same name. With Mahershala Ali in the lead role, the movie has seen .ultiple delays so far. The project was announced back in 2019, but 5 years later, its no close to enter production still. And even Ali’s casting news was made official along with the reveal that the Blade franchise was getting a reboot. But things do not seem to be going anywhere yet.
The poster for the upcoming Blade reboot | Marvel Studios
With multiple changes in writer, director, story, and even cast members so far, fans are now getting frustrated. Even the lead star, Mahershala Ali, was close to quitting the project, but has retained his part in the project so far. But with even more delays still happening, fans are thinking if it would be better for Ali to actually let the project go and move on.
The poster for the upcoming Blade reboot | Marvel Studios
With multiple changes in writer, director, story, and even cast members so far, fans are now getting frustrated. Even the lead star, Mahershala Ali, was close to quitting the project, but has retained his part in the project so far. But with even more delays still happening, fans are thinking if it would be better for Ali to actually let the project go and move on.
- 3/18/2024
- by Swagata Das
- FandomWire
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