Warning: This list contains spoilers for Mufasa: The Lion King.most beloved Disney characters. Similarly, the 1994 The Lion King is still to this day one of the most legendary and heartwarming animated movies ever made.
Given the success of the original, this latest live-action prequel carried the weight of great expectations, aiming to expand the legacy of a tale that defined generations. In exploring the backstory of Simba's father and what made him the king the audience fell in love with, the movie gives new interesting perspectives on his role in the animated version and his relationship with his brother, affecting the way we see The Lion King. The movie expands Mufasa (Aaron Pierre) and Scar's (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) emotional depth as characters, showing them as affectionate brothers instead of simple rivals.
8 Mufasa Is Not A King By Blood But By Choice
Mufasa Earned His Title As A King
One of the most interesting reveals of the live-action is the humble origins of Mufasa. The Lion King was not a king at all, but an ordinary lion cub who belonged to a small pride composed of himself, his father, and his mother. This might have come as a surprise to many, given his royal status in the 1994 film. Furthermore, the family was also suffering the effects of a long famine. Mufasa's childhood was far from the spoiled and pampered life one might have expected to see him have.
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This fresh take on the character gives the public a different perception of Simba's father, portraying him as a lion who earned his place through resilience and goodness of heart rather than inheritance. Mufasa was not a great ruler because he was a king; he was a king because he was a great ruler. No one forced him to learn to be a skilled leader, able to protect and provide for his pride. He learned that in order to help those he felt responsible for and loved. This anecdote makes him even more legendary than what the audience might .
7 The Pride Lands Was Originally A Myth To Mufasa
Milele Seemed Like An Impossible Dream
When the audience first watched The Lion King in 1994, the Pride Lands where Mufasa happily reigned appeared like an idyllic place, a sanctuary where all animals coexisted in harmony, regardless of which part of the food chain they belonged to. As Mufasa said, they were all part of the circle of life. However, the prequel reveals that this utopia wasn't always a reality for the benevolent future king. In the movie, Mufasa turns an apparently impossible myth into a reality.
The Pride Lands are presented in the movie as Milele, a mysterious and mythical place, a terrestrial heaven every lion has heard of but where no one has ever been to. Indeed, many animals throughout the movie doubt the existence of this ideal, yet far out-of-reach land that is too good to be true. However, Mufasa believes it is real and dedicates himself to finding it, driven by an unwavering sense of hope. The film redefines The Lion King's Pride Lands not as a kingdom inherited but as a vision realized through sacrifice and faith.
6 Mufasa Did Not Want To Be A King
Sometimes The Best Leaders Do Not Crave Power
The prequel not only reveals Mufasa was not the rightful king, but it also suggests that the future ruler of the Pride Lands was not interested in the position either, especially in the beginning. Mufasa has many goals throughout the movie: he wants to learn to be a better hunter, protect his brother, and find the legendary Milele. However, being the king is not on his priority list, despite how those around him seem to believe in his leadership skills. When, for instance, Sarabi (Tiffany Boone) confronts him about his destiny as a king, he refuses to entertain the idea.
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This reluctance makes his eventual rise to kingship more impactful. It was not ambition but necessity and responsibility that led Mufasa to accept the mantle of leadership. It also highlights an age-old belief that sometimes the best leaders are those who do not seek power but instead have it thrust upon them. Although it is not always the case, Mufasa is an example of this idea. The prequel emphasizes his humility as one of his greatest qualities, the one that allowed him to never be led by vanity and arrogance but by a desire for self-improvement and altruism.
5 Mufasa & Scar Are Not Biological Brothers
The Lions Chose Each Other As Brothers
The prequel also adds an emotional twist to the way the public sees The Lion King concerning the story of Mufasa and Scar. Based only on the original Disney cartoon, most people assumed that Mufasa and Scar were biological brothers who did not see eye to eye. However, the live-action completely changes their troubled dynamic. Mufasa and Scar are not biological brothers, born to the same parents who never learned to get along. On the contrary, they chose each other as siblings.
This new reveal changes completely the way we see their relationship unravel in the animated movie. Unlike the traditional sibling rivalry rooted in familial ties, the fact that their bond was forged by choice makes Scar's betrayal and cruel murder of Mufasa even more heart-wrenching. As Scar confesses at the beginning of the movie, he always wanted a brother. His ission comes as a surprise, given that in the animated version, Scar appears to resent the presence of Mufasa in his life, making their relationship even more tragic.
4 Scar Has Not Always Been Jealous Of Mufasa
Scar Once Truly Loved Mufasa
Another reveal that made the story of Mufasa and Scar more saddening than the audience re is the fact that, besides being brothers by choice, Scar, who at the beginning of the movie is called Taka, was not always jealous of the future lion king. On the contrary, he loved him and not once questioned his loyalty or intentions. He even let Mufasa win their running match so that he could remain with him and the rest of his pride. These examples provided a human side and emotional depth to the scariest villain in the history of Disney.
In the 1994 movie, Scar is an interesting but rather undimensional villain. The film showed him already consumed by his jealousy, unable to see reason and listen to any remaining morality or sense of affection for his family. However, Mufasa portrays him as an eager lion cub who grows to be slightly insecure yet still loving and fundamentally good. It is not until later that he becomes envious of his brother, and even then, Taka still appears to care for him despite those feelings of inferiority. This makes his descent into villainy even more significant.
3 Scar Saved Mufasa's Life
Scar Set Off His Own Destiny
Mufasa and Scar are one of the focal points of the movie. Beyond exploring their bond and the development of what later became a rivalry, Scar saves Mufasa more than once in The Lion King's prequel. When they first encounter, Scar helps Mufasa escape a group of crocodiles. Shortly after, he loses their running match on purpose because his father, the king of the pride, threatens to kill Mufasa if he were to lose. By the end of the movie, Scar saves him from the "Outsiders," despite his momentary alliance with them.
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The future villain's rescue of his brother against the Outsiders truly deepens the tragedy of their relationship. In a scene that mirrors Mufasa's tragic death in the 1994 movie, Scar, instead of letting his sibling fall to his destiny like in the animated version, never abandons him and successfully brings him to safety. However, by saving Mufasa, Scar inadvertently sets off his own destiny and future descent into villainy and torment.
2 Mufasa's Love For Sarabi
Mufasa & Sarabi Are Explored More As A Couple
The relationship between Mufasa and Sarabi assumes a more significant importance in the prequel, offering a more profound exploration of their feelings for each other and how it shaped Mufasa's character. The film portrays their bond as one of mutual respect and iration, going beyond the brief glances of their partnership seen in The Lion King. Sarabi is not just Mufasa's queen; she is his er. She believes in him and sees him as the king he could be instead of the lion he currently is.
Their relationship serves as a cornerstone of the journey of Mufasa toward kingship. Sarabi encourages Mufasa despite his doubts about his identity, helping him recognize his greatness and potential and stepping into his role as a leader. This more detailed and nuanced look at their connection enhances the story, showcasing a love story rooted in shared ideals, evolution, and mutual regard. The Lion King the audience encountered in the original animated film is the great ruler he is because of his qualities and the unwavering of his companion.
1 Scar Was The Rightful King
Scar Was The Son Of The King
The prequel reveals another shocking twist: Scar was the rightful heir to the throne all along. This revelation transforms how audiences perceive Scar's resentment toward Mufasa and the reasons for his betrayal. As the legitimate successor, Scar's birthright was usurped when his family was slaughtered and Mufasa, an outsider, was chosen as the ruler of the Pride Lands due to his leadership qualities and courage. This decision left Scar feeling overshadowed. His identity as the rightful king adds layers to his villainy.
Scar's actions are not uniquely driven by ambition but also by a sense of injustice. Scar also feels betrayed by his brother once he hears Sarabi, whom he also loves, encouraging Mufasa to become king. Scar's love for Sarabi is more significant than it appears, and his bitterness comes from a sense of rejection. He was cast aside despite his lineage, fueling envy and anger. Mufasa: The Lion King reframes Scar's story especially, presenting him not as a heartless villain but as a tragic figure who allowed his struggle for identity, worth, and recognition to push him from grace.
Mufasa: The Lion King
- Release Date
- December 18, 2024
- Runtime
- 118 minutes
- Director
- Barry Jenkins
Cast
Aaron PierreMufasa (voice)
Kelvin Harrison Jr.Taka (voice)
WHERE TO WATCH
Mufasa: The Lion King explores the origins of the beloved character Mufasa, focusing on his youth as a lost cub who encounters Taka, a royal heir. Their meeting initiates an epic journey of self-discovery and destiny, featuring a group of misfit companions navigating the challenges of their world.
- Writers
- Jeff Nathanson
- Distributor(s)
- Disney
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