EntertainmentMoviesLive Action MoviesMufasa: The Lion KingAfter a “large percentage of people” questioned Barry Jenkins' decision to helm Mufasa: The Lion King, the director responds: “I think there is something to taking on new challenges"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
EntertainmentMoviesLive Action MoviesMufasa: The Lion KingAfter a “large percentage of people” questioned Barry Jenkins' decision to helm Mufasa: The Lion King, the director responds: “I think there is something to taking on new challenges"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Walt Disney Studios)
You only had to sneak a quick glimpse at social media uponMufasa’s announcement in 2020to see the surprising backlash to Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk director Barry Jenkins' decision to hop on over toDisneyto helm The Lion King prequel. The reactions spanned the usual spectrum of online discourse, from mild disappointment to outspoken critics attempting to police Jenkins' career choices.
During press for Mufasa: The Lion King, we put it to Jenkins that a “small percentage” of fans were unhappy with Jenkins choosing the big-budget live-animation affair over something more in line with his previous works. The director replied: “You’re being very kind. I don’t think it was a small percentage. I think it was a large percentage of people.”
Jenkins, though, remains steadfast in his belief that he never wants to sit still in the industry – even if it takes him out of his comfort zone.
“I do think there is something to remaining nimble, taking on new challenges,” Jenkins, who also created miniseries The Underground Railroad in 2021, tells GamesRadar+. “I never thought I would make a film with these tools, but the script demanded these tools. That was the only reason why we made it with this camera setup, this virtual production. And, yet, something really wonderful came out of it.”
Jenkins continues, “For the last eight years, I’ve been pretty much working in the same mode. I’ve gotten into a rhythm that was very comfortable. The work is still challenging, but it’s very comfortable. This is not comfortable; it required me to expand my vocabulary, to learn new skills. I think that’s very instrumental in keeping a fresh mind and learning new tactics and new tricks.”
Now, we’re about to see the fruits of those labors. Jenkins directs Mufasa: The Lion King, an original prequel to the 2019 live-action remake that charts the origins of Mufasa’s rise from lion cub to Lion King.
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Mufasa: The Lion King hits cinemas on December 20.
For more, check out our guide tonew Disney moviesand our picks for thebest movies on Disney Plus.
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
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2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
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4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
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5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams’ disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
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1
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2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
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3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
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4
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5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”