When was cast as Mufasa, the weight of following in the late James Earl JonesB次元官网网址� legendary footsteps was enough to rattle any actor. But instead of letting the pressure roar too loudly, he harnessed his nerves to breathe fresh life into his young lion character.

B次元官网网址淚 had a lot of nerves and I actually think those nerves served me because that is what the adolescent version of that lion is,B次元官网网址� Pierre said in an interview Friday at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park about his leading role in He took the reins as the new voice of Mufasa after Jones played the iconic King Mufasa in both the 1994 and 2019 versions of DisneyB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址淭he Lion King.B次元官网网址�

Here are some details and insights about B次元官网网址淢ufasaB次元官网网址� ahead of its release in theaters on Dec. 20.

First, a tribute to James Earl Jones

JonesB次元官网网址� voice isnB次元官网网址檛 heard in the movie, but it opens with a brief tribute to the beloved actor, who

Pierre had hoped to meet Jones for the first time, but didnB次元官网网址檛 get the chance. Now, heB次元官网网址檚 determined to honor his idol by building on his characterB次元官网网址檚 legacy.

B次元官网网址淚 imagine that an individual experiencing those things might have moments of not being sure and I wasnB次元官网网址檛 sure about myself,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淎aron wasnB次元官网网址檛 sure about Aaron going into this, I tried to channel those emotions as opposed to being something that prohibited me as something that propelled me forward. I gave it my best. I hope that I was able to serve James Earl Jones and honor James Earl Jones and the character.B次元官网网址�

MufasaB次元官网网址檚 heart-wrenching origin story

The live-action prequel offers a fresh exploration into MufasaB次元官网网址檚 origin.

After the Rafiki takes on the role of a storytelling sage, weaving the untold tale of Mufasa for Kiara B次元官网网址� the spirited granddaughter of Mufasa and the daughter of Simba and Nala. The duo Timon and Pumbaa stick around for RafikiB次元官网网址檚 flashback.

Rafiki reveals that MufasaB次元官网网址檚 cubhood wasnB次元官网网址檛 all royal ease and sunlit horizons. After a heart-wrenching tragedy of being separated from his parents, young Mufasa finds himself lost and alone.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 been separated from his family. HeB次元官网网址檚 an orphan. HeB次元官网网址檚 been ostracized, heB次元官网网址檚 been dismissed. HeB次元官网网址檚 been degraded,B次元官网网址� said Pierre, the British actor whoB次元官网网址檚 starred in the and the

Mufasa was a stray until fate led him to Taka, the compassionate heir of a different pride. Taka, with his fierce yet nurturing mother, offer the displaced cub a new beginning in their pride.

Over the years, Mufasa and TakaB次元官网网址檚 bond grows from camaraderie to brotherhood. But their loyalty is put to the ultimate test during a journey that uncovers MufasaB次元官网网址檚 true origins and rightful kingdom as well as the reasons behind Taka becoming Scar.

B次元官网网址淭here was a bit of Taka resting on the privilege that he was supposed to be afforded,B次元官网网址� said Kelvin Harrison Jr., who plays Taka. He drew some inspiration from Jeremy Irons, who voiced the villainous Scar in the 1994 original.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a little bit of B次元官网网址榃ell, it seems like I need to command attention,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� continued Harrison, who starred in B次元官网网址淭he Trial of the Chicago 7B次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址淲aves.B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址淚t seems like the only way to win over a pride of anything is to assert dominance. That was TakaB次元官网网址檚 version of that, which ended up being a staple as Scar.B次元官网网址�

BeyonceB次元官网网址檚 daughter Blue Ivy makes her feature film debut

might have a small role in B次元官网网址淢ufasa,B次元官网网址� but her daughter Blue Ivy Carter is the familyB次元官网网址檚 shining star in the film.

The eldest daughter of 叠别测辞苍肠茅 and Jay-Z makes her feature film debut, lending her voice as Kiara, the daughter of Simba and Nala, who is portrayed by her superstar mother.

B次元官网网址淪he came into this prepared,B次元官网网址� said director Barry Jenkins, who heard Blue IvyB次元官网网址檚 narration on the audio book of Oscar winner Matthew CherryB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址淗air Love.B次元官网网址� He said the 12-year-old phenom displayed some skills that could not be ignored.

B次元官网网址淪he was the main character and this whole movie starts with just voices,B次元官网网址� Jenkins said. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e doing almost like a radio play and hearing that quality in her voice, I thought, B次元官网网址極h, I think thatB次元官网网址檚 my character,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� he continued. B次元官网网址淭hen she auditioned and it was clear that she is my character.B次元官网网址�

While recording for KiaraB次元官网网址檚 character, Jenkins said Blue Ivy, who won a Grammy for co-writing her momB次元官网网址檚 2019 hit B次元官网网址淏rown Skin Girl,B次元官网网址� was a pro.

B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 know Blue IvyB次元官网网址檚 life, but I imagine she grows up a little bit different than everyone else,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 think because of that sheB次元官网网址檚 grown up and so she had all these wells of understanding, experience, emotional knowledge that she brought to the character. She was awesome.B次元官网网址�

Jenkins likens the Kiara character to the many children who will see the movie. In the film, she eagerly listens to John KaniB次元官网网址檚 Rafiki tell her grandfatherB次元官网网址檚 origin story while Timon (Billy Eichner) and Pumbaa (Seth Rogen) accompany them in a cave.

B次元官网网址淭hey get to see themselves in that character and sheB次元官网网址檚 learning the story about Mufasa,B次元官网网址� Jenkins said. B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 learning how he went through the same trials and tribulations, the same growth as she is.B次元官网网址�

Blue Ivy did not record her vocals with the three cast members, but Rogen applauded her skills.

B次元官网网址淪he was great,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 could have sworn we were in that cave with her.B次元官网网址�

Lin-Manuel MirandaB次元官网网址檚 secret ingredient

When wrote new songs for the film, he often leaned on the famous Billie Jean King quote: B次元官网网址淧ressure is a privilege.B次元官网网址�

Miranda was up for the challenge to leave his own imprint on the storied franchise much like his predecessors. He said there are seven new songs on the soundtrack, which will be released Dec. 13.

B次元官网网址淚 was emboldened by the fact that thereB次元官网网址檚 the B次元官网网址�94 original which is like an immortal classic,B次元官网网址� said Miranda, the B次元官网网址淗amiltonB次元官网网址� creator and Grammy, Emmy and Tony winner.

B次元官网网址淏ut thereB次元官网网址檚 also the and thereB次元官网网址檚 also 叠别测辞苍肠茅B次元官网网址榮 album B次元官网网址楾he Lion King: The Gift,B次元官网网址� which I think expanded the musical vocabulary of what can be a B次元官网网址楲ion KingB次元官网网址� song. So I felt a lot of space to create because I felt like B次元官网网址楲ion KingB次元官网网址� is practically a genre of music and there was room to play and find new stuff within it.B次元官网网址�

Miranda said his B次元官网网址渟ecret ingredientB次元官网网址� was Lebo M, whoB次元官网网址檚 known for his opening vocals on the classic melody B次元官网网址淐ircle of Life.B次元官网网址� He said his lyrics were inspired by the script.

B次元官网网址淗is harmonies, the choral arrangements he created for the Broadway musical and for the show, I think were so important to the success of the music of these movies,B次元官网网址� Miranda said. B次元官网网址淚 think it was exciting for him to work on new songs.B次元官网网址�