Aaron Pierre Honors James Earl Jones While Bringing Mufasa’s Early Story to Life

The Rebel Ridge actor Aaron Pierre, who is replacing the late James Earl Jones as the titular character in the upcoming Lion King prequel Mufasa, is opening up about carrying the torch after Jones’ passing this September.

Speaking to GamesRadar+, Pierre shared how he viewed Jones as a personal hero and a major inspiration. He used Jones’ iconic portrayal of Mufasa as a “guiding light” to shape his understanding of the character and his journey.

“He was one of my greatest inspirations, from his stage work to his extensive filmography, to his voice work. He’s timeless. We celebrate him. We champion him. And he’ll be greatly missed.”

For Pierre, the biggest challenge in portraying Mufasa after Jones was exploring what the character was like during his formative years. He asked himself questions like: What was his trajectory? How did he arrive at that place?

Pierre feels a deep connection to the project, as The Lion King is his favorite Disney film. He fondly remembers watching it on VHS as a child.

“I’ve heard a lot of people say when discussing The Lion King that Mufasa, to them, feels like everyone’s dad. That was true for me as well.”

When discussing Mufasa’s voice with director Barry Jenkins, Pierre was encouraged to use his own voice rather than trying to imitate Jones. Jenkins explained that the Mufasa audiences know is a “grown-ass man,” while Pierre’s version of the character still “has to become all those things.”

Another hurdle Pierre faced was singing for the role. However, with guidance from Lebo M. and Lin-Manuel Miranda, he overcame the challenge—something he never dreamed possible.

Joining Pierre in the cast are Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, John Kani, and Beyoncé, reprising their roles from the first movie. New cast members include Kelvin Harrison Jr. (as Taka, later known as Scar), Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Tiffany Boone, and Lennie James. Additionally, Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, is set to make her feature film debut in this film.

Mufasa: The Lion King premieres in cinemas on December 20, 2024.