The original songs were written by Grammy®, Tony® and Emmy® Award winner and Kennedy Center Honor® recipient Lin-Manuel Miranda, and produced by Grammy Award winner Mark Mancina and Lin-Manuel Miranda, with additional music and performances by Lebo M. Said Miranda, “’The Lion King’ has an incredible musical legacy with music from some 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 theaters.”

The album was produced by Miranda, Mancina and Grammy Award winner and Walt Disney Music President Tom MacDougall. The score, which will be included in the Deluxe version of the soundtrack, was composed by Tony Award winner and composer Dave Metzger.

The Mufasa: The Lion King Original Soundtrack track list follows.

1. “Ngomso” Performed by Lebo M
2. “Milele” Performed by Anika Noni Rose and Keith David
3. “I Always Wanted A Brother” Performed by Braelyn Rankins, Theo Somulo, Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison, Jr.
4. “Bye Bye” Performed by Mads Mikkelsen, Joanna Jones and Folake Olowofoyeku
5. “We Go Together” Performed by Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Tiffany Boone, Preston Nyman and Kagiso Lediga
6. “Tell Me It’s You” Performed by Aaron Pierre and Tiffany Boone
7. “Brother Betrayed” Performed by Kelvin Harrison Jr.

Tickets are on sale now for “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which explores the unlikely rise of the beloved king of the Pride Lands. Rafiki relays the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. 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 film features an all-star roster of talent, including Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., John Kani, Tiffany Boone, Kagiso Lediga, Preston Nyman, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Lennie James, Anika Noni Rose, Keith David, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Donald Glover, Blue Ivy Carter, Braelyn Rankins, Theo Somolu, Folake Olowofoyeku, Joanna Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, Abdul Salis, Dominique Jennings and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter.

Blending live-action filmmaking techniques with photoreal computer-generated imagery, the all-new feature film is directed by Barry Jenkins, produced by Adele Romanski & Mark Ceryak, and executive produced by Peter Tobyansen. Featuring original songs by award-winning songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda, original score by Dave Metzger and additional music and vocal performances by Lebo M, “Mufasa: The Lion King” opens only in cinemas on 20 December, 2024.

Officially in cinemas last week, Ster-Kinekor were kind enough to indulge and enable us to see what many have described as a visual masterpiece with an ‘okay’ storyline. So much said about it already but what do we think?

Cast – Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alfre Woodard, Billy Eichner, John Kani, John Oliver, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter & James Earl Jones

Director – Jon Favreau

Genre – Drama/Adventure

Running Time – 1h 58m

From Disney Live Action, director Jon Favreau’s all-new “The Lion King” journeys to the African savanna where a future king is born. Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub’s arrival. Scar, Mufasa’s brother-and former heir to the throne-has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged with betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba’s exile. With help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his.

For those that aren’t too clued up on the inner workings of the movieverse, the director of this one, Jon Favreau, is responsible for some of the best flicks to have come out, most notably the first ever Ironman movie which of course set the tone for what would be quite the enthralling Avengers trilogy from Marvel. So yes, it’s safe to say this movie was in very good company and very capable hands. Add to that the original nostalgic classic feel of the original movie as well as the blockbuster cast it includes then you would find it really hard to argue that it had something really special even before it was released.

We can confirm that visually it is great…being treated and seeing it in 3D DBox also takes it to another level, something that reminded us of why we are such avid movie fans. The storyline isn’t that different from the original as you might expect however, you do get the sense that this version was further elaborated on with a few inclusions and slight change ups that the original didn’t have. It is quite a beautiful and cute movie that will find favor with many, it’s hard not to like it. You will also feel the nostalgia kick in as you watch and in the end this was a valiant effort.

The Lion King is a movie that will lend itself to many in a great way. It doesn’t delve away from the original which is something we quite liked (why would you change a winning formula after all?). Perfect for the whole family and will have you experiencing moments of highs, lows and laughter. That said, it didn’t blow us away but that’s not to say it didn’t charm us either which it did. Definitely worth your time, more so on the big screen and in 3D if you get the chance. Take the whole family on an outing to see it, no doubt you will all enjoy it. The classic story told in a modern setting gets a 7 out of 10 rating from us. 

Our appreciation goes out to the Ster-Kinekor team for hosting us, classy.

The Premise

Set to hit our screens next year July 19, the movie includes the likes of Beyonce, Donald Glover, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Seth Rogan. It’s overseen and directed by Jon Favreau, who was behind the successful live-action remake of The Jungle Book. Donald Glover will play Simba with Beyonce playing his mother Nala and Chiwetel Ejiofor playing his uncle Scar. A remake of this classic especially in CGI was a matter of when not if and we’re especially excited that it’s finally upon us.