Mufasa director Barry Jenkins has explained why The Lion King prequel begins with a touching tribute to James Earl Jones.
While messages of condolence and celebration are normally left for the end credits, Jenkins opted to have Mufasa begin with an 'In Remembrance' message accompanied by Jones' voice reading a line from The Lion King.
“When he passed away in September, we were working very hard to finish the film. I was going to work and it was impossible to work on this film without thinking about him. Very quickly you realize that it will be impossible look this movie without thinking about him too,” Jenkins tells GamesRadar+ of the tribute to original Mufasa actor Jones, who died in September at age 93.
“It seemed like the best thing, the most thoughtful thing, was to acknowledge that feeling at the beginning of the movie,” Jenkins says. “As the director of the film, I am the manager of the story. I started hearing his voice in my head… I wanted to translate that into a cinematic experience.”
But it wasn't just Barry Jenkins who wanted to pay tribute. Aaron Pierre, who plays Mufasa in the Lion King prequel, spoke openly about taking on the role Jones made famous in the 1994 Disney classic and wanting to do the right thing with his performance.
“I wanted to honor and serve the great James Earl Jones in my performance,” Pierre says. “We hope that he is honored, that I honor his name and that I honor the character that he created.”
Pierre adds: “Disney tried to arrange a meeting between James Earl Jones and me but unfortunately it didn't come to fruition. I've said it many times before, he is a hero to me. He is one of my biggest inspirations.” I am certainly a student of his art, of his craft, and he truly is the top of the mountain. “There is nothing better than the great James Earl Jones.”
Mufasa: The Lion King, starring Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Tiffany Boone and Mads Mikkelsen, hits theaters on December 20. Donald Glover, Beyonce Knowles-Carter, Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner also reprise their roles from the 2019 live-action remake.
For more information, check out our guide to new Disney movies and movie release dates. Then, delve into our separate interview with Jenkins as he explains the decision to take on Mufasa: The Lion King after directing Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk.