For many, watching any iteration of The Lion King will bring nostalgia. However, the opening moments of Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King serve not only as a gateway to the majestic world of the Pride Lands but also as a heartfelt homage to the late James Earl Jones.
Barry Jenkins, the Oscar-winning director behind this live-action prequel, ensured that the film began with a powerful tribute to Jones, whose iconic voice as King Mufasa helped shape the legacy of The Lion King.
Jones, who passed away at the age of 93, originally brought Mufasa to life in the 1994 animated classic. For many, his deep voice symbolized fatherly guidance and wisdom, as he portrayed father figures like Troy Maxson in August Wilson‘s 1987 play Fences and King Jaffe Joffer in the 1988 comedy Coming to America.
Knowing this, Jenkins made the decision to include a poignant moment in Mufasa to honor Jones’ unparalleled contribution to the franchise and his lasting impact on audiences.
The tribute begins with a blank screen, a deliberate choice by Jenkins to strip the moment of distractions and focus solely on the voice that has comforted and inspired generations. As the screen fades to black, Jones’ iconic “Look at the Stars” monologue from the original film begins to play.
“The great kings of the past look down on us from those stars. So whenever you feel alone, just remember that those kings will always be there to guide you, and so will I.”
These words are spoken with the gravitas only James Earl Jones could deliver. As the monologue concludes, text appears on screen: “In remembrance of James Earl Jones.”
For Jenkins, this tribute was both a creative and emotional imperative. “I grew up without a father figure,” Jenkins shared in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. “I think for a lot of people, this character and that voice is synonymous with the idea of a surrogate father, or at least an example of what a father-son dynamic should be like. I wanted to find a way to honor that.”
Aaron Pierre, who voices young Mufasa in the prequel, also reflected on Jones’ legacy. Speaking on Good Morning America, Pierre described the immense responsibility of stepping into a role so deeply associated with Jones. “He truly is the top of the mountain,” Pierre said. “I hope that in some small way, I was able to honor him, and hopefully he would be proud of what we’ve put together here.”
Pierre’s reverence for Jones mirrors Jenkins’ approach to the film. Rather than attempting to recreate or replace Jones’ performance, Jenkins sought to build upon the foundation Jones laid, ensuring that Mufasa felt like a continuation of his legacy rather than a departure.
Jenkins revealed that the decision to open the film with Jones’ voice was chosen based on instinct after hearing Jones’ voice.
“It just felt like it was something that we had to do,” he said to Entertainment Weekly. Listening to every line Jones recorded for the original film, Jenkins ultimately selected the “kings of the past” speech—a choice he described as “a gut choice” that captured the essence of Mufasa’s wisdom and spirit.
This tribute also marks the 30th anniversary of The Lion King, a milestone Jenkins felt compelled to acknowledge. “I remember both intellectually preparing myself for that conversation, but emotionally thinking about, ‘What am I going to do?’” Jenkins said. “We have to do something for 30 years.”
Mufasa: The Lion King hits theaters on Friday, December 20.
