The following contains spoilers for Mufasa: The Lion King, now playing in theatersMufasa: The Lion Kingflips one of the key dynamics fromThe Lion King, which helps distinguish the movie from the previous entries in the series while adding new depth to the emotional throughline of the series.Mufasa: The Lion Kingis a prequel to 2019’sThe Lion King, exploring the story of how Mufasa went from a lowly cub to the King of the Pride Lands. One of the key relationships of this story is Mufasa’s adoption into the pride of Taka, a sweet natured but cowardly prince who will one day grow into the namipulative and nefarious Scar.
However, this isn’t the only major character dynamic in the film. The latest Disney prequel also dives into the unlikely friendship between Mufasa and Rafiki, as well as the former’s blossoming romance with Sarabi. Some ofThe Lion King’s most important family relationships serve as a key toMufasa: The Lion King’s ending. This highlights his nobility and focusing on relationships that were less utilized in earlier films of the franchise. This actually serves as a clever and subtle reversal ofThe Lion King’s biggest family bond, while also underscoring the importance of that earlier relationship in the series' morals.
Mufasa Is About Sons & Mothers, Not Sons & Fathers
Mufasa: The Lion KingHighlights Important Maternal Bonds
Mufasa: The Lion Kingexplores themes about the importance of mothers to their sons, subvertingThe Lion King’s historic focus on the bond between fathers and sons. Many of the most important emotional dynamics inMufasa: The Lion Kingare centered around a maternal figure, whose positive influence inspires positive character growth. Mufasa’s biological mother, Afia, inspires Mufasa with dreams of a home where the varied corners of the animal kingdom can thrive together, with her stories of Milele inspiring his eventual argument to the animals to unite against Kiros. Eshe becomes Mufasa’s adopted mother after he joins Taka’s tribe.
Eshe’s overall positive influence helps foster Mufasa’s better qualitiesand teaches him to become a great tracker and worthy leader. Even Rafiki is given a strong maternal connection, as it’s revealed it was his adopted mother who ensured he was given the chance to grow up and become the spiritual figure needed for Mufasa’s journey. Each ofMufasa: The Lion King’s parentsare shown to be noble in their own way, and their positive influence ensures Mufasa and Rafiki become heroes. This stands in stark contrast to the wayMufasa: The Lion King’s paternal figures factor into the film’s plot.
Fathers Are Connected To Mufasa’s Villains
There are three core father figures inMufasa: The Lion King, with only one of them being portrayed in a positive light. Mufasa’s biological father Masego is shown to be a loving and supportive figure in the young cub’s life, sacrificing his life in a bid to save his son from the flood that separates him from the others. However,Obasi and Kiros are both shown to be cruel fatherswho inspire the wrong lesson in their sons and Prides. Obasi is of the mind that kings should be focused on themselves, employing ruthless and devious tactics to maintain power.
Kiros' son, Sachu, does not get any lines inMufasa: The Lion Kingbefore he is killed by the titular hero.
This ends up rubbing off on Scar, who proves too cowardly to save his mother. Ultimately, it isTaka’s father’s influence that leads him to lean into his more nefarious attributes, helping turn him into the villainous Scar. Kiros is similarly obsessed with his own power and prestige. Although he had a vendetta against Mufasa because the younger lion slew his son during a fight, it’s partly inspired by the fact that this has effectively ended his bloodline. Kiros' ruthless tactics inspired his son to be a killer, an attitude that led him to ambush Mufasa and get himself killed.
Mufasa: The Lion KingTakes A Departure FromThe Lion King’s Biggest Bonds
A thematic throughline ofMufasa: The Lion Kingis the focus on strong mothers and toxic fathers. This is a good idea, asit contrasts against the idealized father and son dynamic at the core ofThe Lion King. In the original animated film and the 2019 remake, the connection between Mufasa and Simba is central to the overarching story. Mufasa’s influence on his son lasts long after his death, with his memory living beyond him serving as the film’s biggest emotional beat. Simply repeating that father/son dynamic would have felt inherently repetitive at the center of the prequel.
5 The Lion King Sequels Mufasa Sets Up
Mufasa: The Lion King may not be the end of the Disney franchise, with the ending offering several paths for potential sequels and spinoffs.
Instead, the new film underscores the importance of Mufasa’s stern but loving influence on Simba by showcasing how poorly other fathers treated their sons in this universe. Taka was similar to Simba as a cub, an enthusiastic and kindly child who was quick to form bonds. It’s implied in the film that if Taka had been raised more by Eshe than Obasi, he could have gained the same courage that elevated Mufasa. Instead, in moments of panic,Taka falls back on the lessons of his bad fatherand in turn embraces a darker path, highlighting the dangers of toxic fathers.
Mufasa’s Maternal Story Makes Up For The Lion King’s Past
Mufasa: The Lion KingGives The Matriarchs More Importance Than Any OtherLion KingStory
Mufasa: The Lion Kingleaning into maternal figuresaddresses the lack of focus those characters have gotten in the franchise. Sarabi only plays a minor role inThe Lion King(although those scenes are given more depth thanks to her dynamic with Taka in the new film).Nala’s role as a motheris small inMufasa: The Lion Kingand similarly minor inLion King 2: Simba’s Pride. That sequel to the original animated film also featured Zira, a vengeful mother, as the central antagonist. That’s what makes it refreshing to seeMufasa: The Lion Kinghighlight strong maternal figures.
This helpsMufasa: The Lion Kingstand apart from the other films, giving it more unique energy that helps it feels less repetitive than it might have if it had repeated the same father/son dynamics.
This helpsMufasa: The Lion Kingstand apart from the other films, giving it more unique energy that helps it feels less repetitive than it might have if it had repeated the same father/son dynamics. Instead,it allows the series to further explore other forms of parental influence. This is one of the more successful attributes of the new Disney film on a storytelling level, as it gives the movie some original storytelling focus.Mufasa: The Lion Kingbenefits from this shift in focus, which underscores the themes of the overarching series while approaching it from a new perspective.
Mufasa: The Lion King
Cast
Mufasa: The Lion King explores the origins of the beloved character Mufasa, focusing on his youth as a lost cub who encounters Taka, a royal heir. Their meeting initiates an epic journey of self-discovery and destiny, featuring a group of misfit companions navigating the challenges of their world.
