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Why Mufasa: The Lion King Director Almost Turned the Film Down
ComicBook.comStory by Ashley Turner
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Oscar-winning director Barry Jenkins almost turned down helming Disney's highly anticipated 'Mufasa: The Lion King' prequel, but a closer look at the script changed his mind.
beat sheet
- Jenkins initially rejected the project, thinking it wouldn't be a good fit for his character-driven style, until his partner Lulu Wang convinced him to read the script during the 2020 lockdown, and he was 'shocked' by how much it aligned with his artistic interests.
- The $250-million Disney production marks Jenkins' biggest directorial challenge yet, as he navigates the photorealistic animation style while still maintaining his signature intimate storytelling, working closely with the animators to make the characters expressive.
call sheet
Barry Jenkins, Lulu Wang, Jeff Nathanson, John Kani, Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Blue Ivy Carter, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Tiffany Boone, Mads Mikkelsen, Beyoncé Knowles Carter, Disney, Moonlight, If Beale Street Could Talk, Rebel Ridge, Mufasa: The Lion King, The Lion King