‘Mufasa’ Deleted Scene Illustrates the Photoreal Blockbuster’s Animation Process (EXCLUSIVE)

Following in the paw prints of its roaring box-office success as one of the Top 10 highest-grossing releases of 2024 ($689 million worldwide to date), Disney’s photoreal musical prequel Mufasa: The Lion King has launched on Digital (Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango at Home) and will soon be bringing the beloved pride to 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on April 1.

To mark the home media debut of the film, which Deadline hailed as “visually stunning,” Animation Magazine is pleased to preview a Deleted Scene from the release’s treasure trove of extras for our readers. Titled “Have Faith in Her,” the rough animation shows our lion heroes (plus a glimpse of Rafiki the baboon) traversing a treacherous mountain engulfed in a blizzard, on their quest to find Milele.

Synopsis: Exploring the unlikely rise of the beloved king of the Pride Lands, Mufasa: The Lion King enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka — the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny — their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.

Directed by Oscar winner Barry Jenkins (Moonlight, If Beale Street Could Talk) and written by Jeff Nathanson (The Lion King 2019), the film features the voices of Aaron Pierre (Mufasa), Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Taka), Tiffany Boone (Sarabi), Kagiso Lediga (Young Rafiki), Preston Nyman (Zazu), Mads Mikkelsen (Kiros), Thandiwe Newton (Eshe), Lennie James (Obasi), Anika Noni Rose (Afia), Keith David (Masego), John Kani (Rafiki), Seth Rogen (Pumbaa), Billy Eichner (Timon), Donald Glover (Simba), Blue Ivy Carter (Kiara), Braelyn Rankins (Young Mufasa), Theo Somolu (Young Taka), Folake Olowofoyeku, Joanna Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, Abdul Salis, Dominique Jennings and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter (Nala).

Mufasa was recently nominated for three VES Awards for visual effects and is currently nominated for three NAACP Image Awards for voice over (for Aaron Pierre as Mufasa, Anika Noni Rose as Afia and Blue Ivy Carter as Kiara).

Bonus Features (May vary by retailer)

• Full Length Sing-Along – Sing along with your favorite songs while watching the movie with on-screen lyrics.
• Finding Milele: The Making of Mufasa: The Lion King – Join visionary director Barry Jenkins and the cast of Mufasa: The Lion King on an epic journey to create a brand-new chapter in the story of The Lion King. Explore how the story was developed and the technology used to make Mufasa’s world come to life.
• Songs of the Savanna – Director Barry Jenkins and songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda sit down to discuss the excitement and challenges of creating the music for Mufasa: The Lion King.
• Ostrich Eggs with Timon & Pumbaa – Timon and Pumbaa reveal fun facts and some of the hidden references in the movie.
• Outtakes – Watch the cast having fun in the recording booth.
• Deleted Scenes:
  • Who’s the Mole Rat?
  • What Do You Feel in There?
  • Have Faith in Her
  • Taka’s Dream
• Music Video: “I Always Wanted a Brother” – Join Lin-Manuel Miranda and the cast of Mufasa: The Lion King as they perform “I Always Wanted A Brother” backstage at a film shoot.
• Song Selections:
  • Milele (First Rain)
  • I Always Wanted a Brother
  • Bye Bye
  • We Go Together
  • Tell Me It’s You
  • Brother Betrayed
• Protect the Pride – Learn how Disney and The Lion Recovery Fund are working to protect the pride and conserve lions in the wild.