Beyoncé And Blue Ivy To Star In Disney’s ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’
Blue Ivy will be making her film debut alongside mom Beyoncé in Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King. The real-life mother and daughter duo’s chemistry will be displayed on the big screen as Beyoncé, who played Nala in the 2019 adaptation, will reprise her role, and Blue will play Nala’s daughter, Kiara. Mufasa: The Lion King is a prequel to the original film which is told through the lense of Rafaki (John Kani), Timon (Billy Eicher), and Pumbaa (Seth Rogan).
Disney released the first trailer of the film on Monday (April 29). While the trailer only gives us a sneak peek into what is to be expected on the December 20 premiere date, Mufasa director Barry Jenkins tells Entertainment Weekly that the prequel is “building on the scaffolding of The Lion King that so many people know, both the 1994 film and the stage musical.” The musical follows Taka (who is later known as Scar), taking in Mufasa and caring for him like a brother. Jenkins says that Kiro, a new character that is being introduced in the film, will have “a very big prominent part in this film.”
How Blue Ivy Got Tapped For Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King
Mufasa director Barry Jenkins told EW that he got the idea to ask Beyoncé if Blue would be willing to join the cast after he heard her narration on the audiobook Hair Love by author and dictor Michael Cherry. “Would Beyoncé want to act opposite her daughter?” he asked himself, adding, “But once we put the question to them, they both responded with enthusiasm.”
EW reports that the confirmed cast for Mufasa are: Aaron Pierre as Mufasa; Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka (a.k.a. young Scar); Tiffany Boone as Mufasa’s future queen, Sarabi; Kagiso Lediga as young Rafiki; Preston Nyman as Zazu; Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros; Thandiwe Newtonas Taka’s mother, Eshe; Lennie James as Taka’s father, Obasi; and Anika Noni Rose and Keith David as Mufasa’s parents, Afia and Masego.
When Have Blue Ivy & Beyoncé Worked Together Before?
Beyoncé and Blue Ivy have worked together several times including the song and music video for “Brown Skin Girl” where they both won a Grammy in 2021. The song is featured in The Lion King 2019 soundtrack. She first worked with her mother on “Blue” in 2013 and made a surprise appearance at Beyoncé’s Dubai private concert last year.
Blue made her tour debut on Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour last summer. The 12 year-old danced to “My Power,” and “Black Parade.” “Brown Skin Girl,” “My Power,” and “Black Parade” are on Beyoncé’s 2019 album The Lion King: The Gift.
Take a look at the trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King below:
