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Credit: DisneyIn 1994, Disney released what would become one of its most popular, successful, and iconic animated films of all-time, The Lion King. The film starred James Earl Jones, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, and Ernie Sabella.
It tells the story of a young lion cub named Simba, who runs away from his pride when his evil uncle Scar makes Simba believe that he is responsible for his father Mufasa’s death. Simba later returns to Pride Rock to save his pride, defeat his uncle, and take his place as king of the Pride lands.
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The Lion King was so successful that Disney did not stop at just one movie. The legendary animated has two sequels — The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride (1998) and The Lion King 1 1/2 (2004) — as well as two television shows, The Lion King’s Timon & Pumbaa and The Lion Guard. Disney also remade The Lion King into a live-action film in 2019, and it was one of Disney’s most financially successful films to date.
On December 20, Disney will release its newest Lion King project, Mufasa: The Lion King. The new live-action film is a prequel that tells the story of young Mufasa and Scar, while also continuing the story of Simba and Nala’s daughter, Kiara. It will show viewers how Mufasa became the lion king and how it destroyed his once-close relationship with Taka (AKA Scar).
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While Disney Legend Elton John helped create the award-winning music for every past Lion King project, Disney decided to go in a different direction with Mufasa: The Lion King. For this new film, Disney worked with the musical mind behind Moana (2016) and Encanto (2021), Hamilton creator Lin Manuel Miranda.
With the movie set to come out in just a couple of weeks, Mr. Miranda has been doing press for the film and talking about what it was like working with Disney on one of its most iconic franchises.
During one recent interview, Mr. Miranda revealed that, while working on a new Lion King story was incredible, there is one Lion King project he wants to happen more than anything. He said that he is waiting for Disney to remake The Lion King 1 1/2, which is probably the most forgotten Lion King story.
The movie came out ten years after the original film, and instead of focusing on Simba and his story, it focused on the roles that Timon and Pumbaa played in Simba’s life. And, according to Lin Manuel, it is highly underrated.
“I’m holding out for a live-action remake of Lion King 1½. Because you know what, that’s the Rosencrantz and Guildenstern of extended Lion King universe, and it’s low-key great!”
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The Lion King 1½ explores the backstory of Timon and Pumbaa, focusing on how the two characters first met and how their “Hakuna Matata” philosophy came to be, which was actually inspired by Rafiki. The film revisits key moments from the original Lion King, but from Timon and Pumbaa’s perspective, showing how they were often present in the background or just off-screen during key scenes.
The animated film delves deeper into their role in raising Simba and reveals that Timon’s meerkat colony played a crucial part in the final showdown against the hyenas. The story concludes with Timon, Pumbaa, and the meerkats finding a new home in the jungle, where they begin a fresh chapter.
At this time, Disney has not announced that they plan to remake the fun sequel. However, since every Lion King project seems to be a hit and make the company a ton of money, it wouldn’t be surprising if they went in that direction at some point. And, if they do, we know one musical genius who will be more than willing to work on it.
Mufasa: The Lion King hits theaters nationwide on December 20.
Do you love The Lion King 1 1/2 as much as Lin Manuel Miranda? Would you love to see Disney transform the sequel into a live-action remake? Let us know what you think in the comments!