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While others search for what they can take, a true king searches for what he can give. Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance.
Mufasa is the titular overarching protagonist of the 2019 remake of The Lion King and the titular main protagonist of its 2024 prequel/sequel Mufasa: The Lion King. He was the King of the Pride Lands in the first half of the film until his death.
He was the son of Masego and Afia, the adoptive son of Obasi and Eshe, Scar's adoptive older brother, Simba's father, Nala’s father-in-law, Sarabi's husband and Kiara's grandfather.
He is based on the character from the original 1994 film of the same name, and he was voiced by the late James Earl Jones, (who also voiced his animated counterpart, and in one of his final film roles).
In the prequel Mufasa: The Lion King, he is voiced Aaron Pierre, who will also portray John Stewart in the upcoming Lanterns. Braelyn Rankins provides the voice of Mufasa as a cub.
Mufasa is a benevolent ruler almost to a fault. He’s very wise and cares greatly about the animals in the Pride Lands, as well as his family, even his villainous brother Scar. The Pride Lands thrive under his reign, and he provides Simba with valuable advice on how to rule the land appropriately.
And he is also known as a trusting, sweet, aspiring, dignified, protective, powerful, fatherly, understanding, respectful, righteous, playful, loving, humble, optimistic, bold, patient, ill-tempered at times, instructive, meticulous, level-headed, inspirational, commanding, regal and selfless lion.
However, Mufasa has his weaknesses. His love for his family is exploited by his younger brother Scar, who often tricks Simba into risky situations that forces Mufasa to rescue him at the risk of his own life. But even though Mufasa knows of Scar's envy and rage thanks to an intense fight between the two of them over the throne, he refuses to exile him because he is still family no matter what the cost. It leads to his death by his malicious brother at last when he gets trampled by the wildebeest stampede.
Biography[]
Backstory[]
Not much is known about Mufasa's life prior to the events of the film. What is known is that he was born to two lions named Masego and Afia. At some point, Mufasa got separated from his parents and was adopted by two other lions named Obasi and Eshe, who had a son named Taka (later known as Scar).
At some point in their early adulthood Mufasa and Scar had a fight and competed for Sarabi's affections to which Mufasa prevailed. Though not outright said, it is possible that the fight led to Scar gaining his trademark scar. Mufasa became the king of the Pride Lands, ruling alongside his wife Sarabi later on.
The Lion King[]
Mufasa is seen at the start of the film standing at the peak of Pride Rock as the animals of the Pride Lands arrive for the presentation of Mufasa's newborn son Simba. Mufasa greets his majordomo Zazu and Rafiki. Mufasa leads Rafiki to his wife Sarabi, who is cradling Simba in her paws afterwards. Mufasa watches on as Rafiki uses the powder from roots to make a mark on Simba's forehead before he lifted up the cub and presented him to the other animals.
Later that day, Mufasa catches his younger brother Scar trying to ambush Zazu. He confronts Scar over missing Simba's presentation, to which Scar claims that he forgot. Then, Mufasa tells Scar that one day Simba will be king and Scar will have to obey him. Scar is unsatisfied that he is not next in line to being king any longer, but he assures Mufasa that he would not dream of challenging him again. After Scar leaves, Zazu questions Mufasa over why he did not run Scar out of the Pride Lands years ago, to which Mufasa replies that Scar is his brother and as long as he is King, Scar has a right to live in the Pride Lands. Zazu begins to tell Mufasa about having a cousin who thought he was a woodpecker, but pauses when he sees Mufasa departing.
Months later, Mufasa is seen sleeping inside Pride Rock with Sarabi and the rest of the pride before being woken up by Simba. He takes Simba to the top of Pride Rock and tells him that everything the light touches is their kingdom and says that a true king searches for what he can give rather than take. When Simba points out a shadowy place, Mufasa says that the shadowy place is beyond their borders and tells Simba not to go there.
Mufasa then takes Simba around the Pride Lands and teaches him about the Circle of Life before Zazu shows up to give Mufasa the morning report. As Zazu drones on, Mufasa decides to give Simba a pouncing lesson using Zazu as the target. After Simba succeeds in pouncing on Zazu, Mufasa congratulates him as Zazu flies off in exasperation. Just then, Zazu returns to tell Mufasa that hyenas are in the Pride Lands. Mufasa asks Zazu where Sarabi is, to which Zazu replies that she is leading an attack. As Mufasa departs to join her, Simba pleads with his father to let him come too, but Mufasa refuses and tells Simba to stay with the other cubs, before telling Zazu to take him back to Pride Rock.
Later that day, Mufasa shows up at the Elephant Graveyard to rescue Simba and his friend Nala from the hyenas. He warns the hyenas' leader Shenzi to never come near Simba again. After heading back to the Pride Lands, Mufasa tells Zazu to take Nala back to Pride Rock whilst he teaches Simba a lesson. Zazu tells Mufasa not to be hard on Simba as Mufasa was like him as a cub. After Zazu and Nala leave, Mufasa reprimands Simba for deliberately disobeying him before telling him about the Great Kings of the Past.
The next day, Mufasa is at Pride Rock with Zazu when Scar shows up to say that there is a stampede in the gorge and Simba is down there. Mufasa hurries to the gorge with Scar whilst Zazu flies on ahead. After showing up at the gorge, Mufasa is told by Zazu of Simba's whereabouts. Mufasa goes into the gorge and gets to the tree Simba is on and tells him to jump closer to him. However before Simba can do anything, a wildebeest crashes into the tree, causing it to split into pieces. Fortunately, Mufasa manages to pick Simba up and places him on a ledge out of harm's way. Just then, Mufasa is knocked back into the stampede by another wildebeest. He manages to leap out of the stampede and starts to scale one of the walls of the gorge. As he climbs the wall, Mufasa sees Scar at the top and asks for his help. However instead, Scar grabs Mufasa's paws and digs his claws into them, causing Mufasa to roar in pain. Afterwards, Scar says "Long live the king" before striking Mufasa in the face, sending him back into the stampede.
After the stampede is over, Simba (who hadn't seen what Scar did and believed that Mufasa lost grip) goes back into the gorge and finds Mufasa's lifeless body and mourns his father. Scar shows up and tricks Simba into thinking that he caused Mufasa's death (as Simba had roared seconds before the stampede started) and tells him to run away and never return afterwards.
Years later, Mufasa's spirit comes to a now young adult Simba urging him to head back to the Pride Lands and take his rightful place as king. As he begins to disapper, Simba pleads with Mufasa not to leave him, to which Mufasa replies that he has never left Simba and also says that having Simba as his son was his proudest moment as King.
After Simba heads back to the Pride Lands and defeats Scar, he ascends Pride Rock where he hears Mufasa say "Remember" before roaring in victory and becomes king.
At the end of the film, it is shown that Simba married Nala and had a child with her, making Mufasa a grandfather.
Mufasa: The Lion King[]
Mufasa is set to appear in the film's upcoming prequel, which will explore his origins and his younger years. In this film, it is revealed that unlike their animated counterparts, Mufasa and Scar are not biological brothers but adoptive ones.
Gallery[]
Images[]
Mufasa and Simba on the remake's poster.
Mufasa poster
Mufasa as a cub in Mufasa: The Lion King
Young Adult Mufasa in Mufasa: The Lion King
Mufasa and Sarabi watching Rafiki presenting Simba to the animals of the Pride Lands.
"Sarabi and I didn't see at the presentation of Simba."
"Don't turn your back on me, Scar."
"Is that a challenge?"
Mufasa and Scar.
"One day, it'll be my son who rules. Simba will be your king."
Mufasa showing Simba the Pride Lands.
Mufasa saving Simba and Nala from the hyenas.
Mufasa telling Simba about the Great Kings of the Past
Mufasa roaring in pain after Scar pierces his paws with his claws
Mufasa falls to his death after Scar knocks him off the cliff into the stampede
Simba and Scar staring at Mufasa's lifeless body
Mufasa's spirit encouraging Simba to return to the Pride Lands and reclaim his rightful place as king
Trivia[]
It has been recently confirmed that a sequel to the 2019 live-action remake of The Lion King is currently in the works and that it will focus on the origins of Mufasa to expand on the franchise's mythology, which means that Mufasa's early life will likely be explored.
The remake version of Mufasa is an adopted brother into biologically related like the animated version of him:.
James Earl Jones reprised his role as Mufasa in the 2019 remake, and it was also the last time he voiced him, before his retirement in 2022 and his death in 2024.
Heroes
