The highly anticipated D23 event for Disney fans is underway at the Anaheim Convention Center in California on August 9, 10, and 11. The first day was packed with announcements that kept enthusiasts buzzing all night.
The three-hour presentation covered everything from musical performances to exclusive previews of upcoming titles, unveiling all the information fans had been eagerly awaiting about the company’s future plans.
Among the highlights was the release of a new, detailed trailer for “Mufasa,” which has sparked significant reactions worldwide by revealing that the backstory of Simba’s father and Scar is set to diverge from the tale we all know and love.
Brothers or not? The new ‘Lion King’ film redefines Mufasa and Scar’s relationship
Since Disney announced a new film in the “Lion King” franchise, longtime fans of the original movie have been quite angry. The 2019 live-action adaptation was met with mixed reviews, and concerns are even higher for the upcoming “Mufasa” picture.
The public feared that this new installment might alter the established lore of Simba’s story, and their concerns have proven valid. The recently released trailer for “Mufasa” reveals that Mufasa and Scar are not actually blood relatives!
According to this installment, Scar was the rightful heir to the throne when they were cubs, while Mufasa was an orphan adopted by the parents of the first, who were the royal family back then! This twist suggests a backstory of betrayal that will be explored in Barry Jenkins’ film.
Such departure from the original 1994 movie, which consistently depicted Mufasa and Scar as blood brothers and emphasized Mufasa’s royal lineage, feels like a dangerous shift. “The Lion King” established their family connection as a cornerstone of the franchise, making this change quite frustrating for fans.
Interestingly, the idea of Mufasa and Scar not being related was considered during the production of the first picture, but ultimately discarded in favor of portraying them as brothers, as reported by BuzzFeed. This decision was made to add depth to their relationship, making the current revision all the more disheartening.
Despite the disappointment, fans have noted that special effects in “Mufasa” appear more realistic than those in the 2019 adaptation. Only time will tell if the production’s other elements will win over its critics, now that the lore will probably not be one of the favorites.