Disney announces Mufasa The Lion King

Mufasa: The Lion King has just been announced by Disney.

A prequel to the 2019 live-action adaptation of The Lion King, the upcoming movie will be directed by Barry Jenkins and tells the story of how Simba's father, Mufasa, rose from humble beginnings to become the ruler of all the Pridelands.

"I had to make this movie," said Jenkins. "Because when I was 14 I was raising two nephews and there was a VHS tape that we watched about 95 times in the span of two days. I was thinking about Mufasa and how he becomes great… I am not a king, I am not a king… Mufasa is great because of the family and friends he has with him."

Jenkins is perhaps best known for writing and directing the 2016 Oscar-winning film, Moonlight, starring Trevante Rhodes, Janelle Monáe, and Mahershala Ali. He most recently directed If Beale Street Could Talk, the 2018 romantic drama starring KiKi Layne, Stephan James, and Regina King.

Along with the announcement, a brand-new trailer was shown at Disney's D23 expo, giving us a glimpse of what to expect from the Lion King prequel.