Who is the new voice of Mufasa in Mufasa: The Lion King?

Mufasa: The Lion King marks the first Lion King Film based on the death of legendary actor James Earl Jones, who first gave the legendary character a voice in 1994. Who carries the torch?

Director Barry Jenkins wastes no time in appreciating Jones in Mufasa: The Lion Kingwhich begins with a title card that reads, “In Memory of James Earl Jones.”

Forbes“Mufasa: The Lion King Photos: Meet the Voice Actors of the New Disney Film”From Tim Lammers

Jones most recently voiced Mufasa for the 2019 live-action/CG hybrid remake The Lion King. The prolific actor previously lent his distinctive bass-baritone voice to the sequel to the hand-drawn 1988 original Lion Kingtitled The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride.

Jones died on September 8th at the age of 93. Before his death, the venerable actor made sure that his vocal performance as Star Wars’ The classic villain Darth Vader would live on forever.

Per Vanity FairIn 2022, Jones signed the rights to Lucasfilm, a Disney corporation in 2022 to recreate his voice through the use of artificial intelligence technology developed by a Ukrainian tech start-up called Respeecher.

ForbesJames Earl Jones has signed the rights for AI to recreate Darth Vader’s voiceFrom Tim Lammers

With Mufasa: The Lion KingHowever, Disney found a way to continue the franchise without him.

Thus, actor Aaron Pierre has inherited the mantle of Mufasa, but Disney is not promoting Pierre as a replacement for Jones.

Instead, Pierre simply voices the character in the new film at a much earlier point in Mufasa’s life.

“Mufasa: The Lion King” features two versions of Mufasa

Mufasa: The Lion King is a prequel film set before the events of 2019 The Lion Kingand like its predecessor, the film is a mix of live action and CG animation.

The film’s logline reads: “Mufasa, a lost and alone cub, meets a sympathetic lion named Taka, the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion a sprawling journey of a group of misfits searching for their destiny.”

Essentially, Mufasa: The Lion King answers many of the first questions Lion King Film, including the meeting of Mufasa and Taka – who later became Scar – and the events that led to the two lions’ acrimonious separation.

Forbes‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ Reviews: Are Critics Hailing ‘The Lion King’ Prequel?From Tim Lammers

Told in a flashback based on the story of Rafiki (John Kana), Mufasa: The Lion King initially introduces Mufasa and Taka as boys (voiced by Braelyn Rankins and Theo Somolu, respectively) before becoming the teenage and young adult versions of Mufasa (Aaron Pierre) and Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr.).

Before taking on the dubbing role of Mufasa, Pierre worked with Mufasa: The Lion King Director Barry Jenkins’ on the filmmaker’s acclaimed 2021 Prime Video miniseries The subway.

In addition, Pierre played the role of Malcolm X alongside Harrison’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in National Geographic’s anthology miniseries genius in 2024 and starred in the hit Netflix original film Rebel Ridge also in 2024.

ForbesPhotos: Check out a look at the 2024 movie-themed popcorn bucketsFrom Tim Lammers

In a recent interview with Weekly entertainmentPierre said Jones wasn’t just inspired by his performance Mufasa: The Lion KingHe inspired the new Mufasa actor’s life in general.

“I was massively inspired by James Earl Jones – that Great “James Earl Jones’ original depiction of Mufasa,” Pierre said EW. “Just for a moment, outside the context of Mufasa: The Lion KingJames Earl Jones has always been a huge inspiration to me. He is the top of the mountain. For me it doesn’t get any better than James Earl Jones.”

Despite playing at an earlier stage in the character’s life, Pierre Mufasa still felt a great responsibility to deliver his performance.

ForbesWhere can you stream these 10 classic Christmas films?From Tim Lammers

“I think any fear, any nervousness that I felt, which I naturally felt, they actually helped me because I was portraying a youthful version of this great king who is so wise and in control of everything and is the pinnacle of his community celebrated and championed,” Pierre said EW.

“I want to say that in this film we get to know these characters that we love so much in their youth and who are not yet fully in their bodies,” Pierre added. “They wear shoes that are two or three sizes too big for them to grow into.”

Mufasa: The Lion King hits cinemas nationwide on Friday.

ForbesThe 12 Best Animated Christmas Movies or TV Specials, Ranked by Rotten TomatoesFrom Tim Lammers