Disney releases first trailer for anticipated prequel ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’

Disney has dropped the much-anticipated trailer for the Lion King prequel, which stars the daughter of music’s most famous name.

It is time.

Disney has dropped the hugely-anticipated first look trailer for its upcoming prequel, Mufasa: The Lion King, which charters the origin story of the legendary King of the pride lands (you can watch the full video above).

Fans with an emotional connection to the original animation, first released in 1994, will be hit with a heavy dose of nostalgia over the one-minute teaser, which opens with the crackle of the franchise’s iconic theme, Circle of Life.

We’re introduced to a young Mufasa, born an orphan cub without a drop of nobility in his blood who navigates his way to becoming king – the original Lion King story marking the end of his journey as Simba takes his father’s place.

Disney has released the first teaser trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King.

Mufasa: The Lion King, directed by Oscar winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins, will be told in flashbacks via the franchise’s beloved mandrill character Rafiki, who relays the story of the late Mufasa to his granddaughter Kiara – the daughter of King Simba and Queen Nala – voiced by Beyonce’s 12-year-old daughter Blue Ivy Carter in her feature film debut.

Blue Ivy Carter makes her feature film debut in Mufasa: The Lion King. Picture: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

The mother-and-daughter duo both star in the film. Picture: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

An official synopsis reads:

“Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka — the heir to a royal bloodline.

“The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny — their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.”

The story is told in flashbacks by Rafiki.

It follows the origin story of a young Mufasa – and how he became King.

Beyonce returns following her debut in the live action remake of The Lion King in 2019 as the voice of Nala, with Aaron Pierre as Mufasa, John Kani as Rafiki, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, Billy Eichner as Timon and Donald Glover as Simba.

Mufasa: The Lion King will also feature original music written by award-winning songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda, who said, “The Lion King has an incredible musical legacy with music from some of the greatest songwriters around, and I’m humbled and proud to be a part of it.

“It’s been a joy working alongside Barry Jenkins to bring Mufasa’s story to life, and we can’t wait for audiences to experience this film in theatres.”

Mufasa: The Lion King hits cinemas in Australia on December 19.

Originally published as Disney releases first trailer for anticipated prequel ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’