Mufasa: The Lion King

Warning : This article contains SPOILERS for Mufasa : The Lion King !

AlthoughMufasa : The Lion Kingborrowed many character types from the original animated celluloid , the prequel smartly did n’t essay to replace two of the most iconic characters in Disney history . Since the original movie ’s dismissal in 1994,The Lion Kinghas grown into a flourishing franchise that include TV show , rule book , animated movies , live - action films , one of thelongest - running Broadway musicals , and a few underrated television game . The most late addition to the mix is the part - prequel , part - sequel filmMufasa : The Lion King .

The report of The 2024 film concentre heavy on the kinship between Mufasa and Scar , explaining how they met , became brothers , and turn into foe . This culminates inMufasa becoming the king of the Pride Lands . Although the narrative is fresh , the film reuse many character types fromThe Lion King . Despite this , the Mufasa prequel made the correct decision not to replace two characters from the original movie .

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Mufasa: The Lion King Has A Lot Of Parallels To The Lion King

The Mufasa Prequel Recycles The Character Archetypes From The Original Movie

Outside ofMufasa ’s easter eggs , the prequel did a good job of maintaining the ambience by using the major character types from The Lion King . The nominal main characters twin Simba in both personality and plot line . They are brave lion cubs who get split from their family because of a traumatic stampede . Then , they ’re thrust into the hero role by setting outside their ascendency , finally becoming king of the Pride Lands , which is calledMilele inMufasa : The Lion King .

Mufasa : The Lion King challenges the Circle of Life ’s harmony , revealing cracks in the idealized philosophy presented in the original Lion King .

The line of latitude expand to other characters as well . Sarabi inMufasais the combining weight of adult Nala in The Lion King . They ’re the smart and headstrong lioness who find their erotic love interest while part from their pride , although Nala left of her own accord . Although their backstories are nothing alike , Kiros and Scar fulfill the same villain role in the films and are extremely smart . They also have quippy dialogue that makes them lovable as a scoundrel . Luckily , Mufala : The Lion Kingprovides just enough changes to the characters to keep it fresh rather than feeling like a rip - off .

Mufasa from Mufasa The Lion King is in front of the poster for The Lion King

Custom Image by Dani Kessel Odom

The Lion King Prequel Thankfully Didn’t Give Mufasa New Comedic Sidekicks

Mufasa’s Sidekicks Are Nothing Like Timon And Pumbaa

Although theMufasaprequel includes many of the same reference eccentric , the creative team was wise not to supervene upon three character from the original movie . They did n’t endeavor to parallel Mufasa from The Lion King – the best choice , since there ’s no mode to exchange the fatherly love and heat ofthe late James Earl Jones . Additionally , they did n’t sample to give the titulary main character comedic sidekick to replace Timon and Pumbaa , which would have been a big mistake .

There ’s no room either Zazu or Rafiki would follow the motto “ Hakuna Matata . ”

The duet from the original film have a buddy film dynamic , where they have contrast personality and bounce off one another . Many of their interaction resemble Felix and Oscar in “ The Odd Couple . ” Although the 2024 film features Rafiki and Zazu , these twoMufasa charactersdidn’t know each other before Mufasa , Taka , and Sarabi meet . They do n’t have the liberty of Timon and Pumbaa , so they do n’t feel like living partner or safe friends . The sidekicks in the prequel do n’t bounce off each other in a well-disposed way , and they come in across as really get at one another , which is n’t the eccentric for Timon and Pumbaa .

Mufasa, Rafiki and Taka imagery from The Lion King franchise.

Mufasa : The Lion King has its meritoriousness and has done well at the box office , but the Disney franchise still needs to give back to its root .

The jest from Rafiki and Zazu also have zero resemblance to Timon and Pumbaa . Rafiki feels more mystic and in his own world , while The Lion King ’s duo is grounded in reality . On the other hand , Zazu seems more persnickety and uptight , while Timon and Pumbaa are much more laid back . There ’s no room either Zazu or Rafiki would survey the shibboleth “ Hakuna Matata . ”

Timon & Pumbaa’s Mufasa Role Proves They Are Irreplaceable

Timon & Pumbaa Are Some Of The Best Disney Sidekicks

Timon and Pumbaa only appear in the framing history of Mufasa : The Lion King , which sometimes feel thwarting to watch . The motion picture is best when focusing on the titular master character reference . Even when probe the framework , Timon and Pumbaa are admittedly unnecessary to the story . Rafiki is babysitting Kiara , who ’s listen to a story to cark her from the big H . The dynamic duo are mostly just rag alongs . Since The Lion King ’s comedic sidekicks were n’t present for the events of Mufasa , their commentary finger out of place . That being said , it ’s exciting to see Timon and Pumbaa back onscreen again .

Disney ’s Mufasa : The Lion King feature a unknown inconsistency with the movie it follow , in the name of the place its main character comes to find .

After the time they drop erect Simba , there ’s no way the adopt Father would ever abandon their found class . There ’s zero interrogation they ’d outride at Pride Rock with Simba , Nala , and their Thomas Kyd . They feel entire to Simba ’s story and , by extension , his daughter ’s story . Plus , their dynamic is invaluable , and they make a uproarious meta joke about the Lion King Broadway melodic . As much asMufasa : The Lion Kingwould have been better solely as a prequel instead of a intercrossed prequel - subsequence , the comprehension of Timon and Pumbaa serve as a monitor that these two role could never be replaced .

Sarabi, Mufasa, and Rafiki looking at something in awe in Mufasa: The Lion King

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Cast

Taka’s mom looking proud in Mufasa The Lion King

Simba and Mufasa look out to the Pride Lands in The Lion King 2019

Headshot Of Aaron Pierre

headshot Of Kelvin Harrison Jr.

Movies

Mufasa: The Lion King