Barry Jenkins, the Oscar-winning director ofMoonlight, divulges his dilemma in leading Disney’sMufasa: The Lion King. The prequel features an all-star voice cast including Kelvin Harrison Jr. as a young Scar and Aaron Pierre as Mufasa. Following Jon Favreau’s photo-realisticThe Lion Kingin 2019, the film explores the untold story of Mufasa’s rise from an orphaned cub to the revered king of Pride Rock. A highly-anticipated addition to Disney’s reimagined classics,Mufasa: The Lion Kingis set to releaseon December 20.
According to an interview withVulture,Jenkins revealed his hesitation about directing another fully digital project.Known for his character-driven and emotionally resonant works like the adaptation of James Baldwin’sIf Beale Street Could Talk, Jenkins admitted the process of crafting a fully CGI film, devoid of physical sets or practical performances, was creatively challenging. While his passion for storytelling remains evident, Jenkins expressed a preference for more tactile filmmaking. He shared the following:
It is not my thing.It is not my thing. I want to work the other way again, where I want to physically get everything there. I always believe that what is here is enough, and let me just figure out what is the chemistry to make alchemy? How can these people, this light, this environment, come together to create an image that is moving, that is beautiful, that creates a text that is deep enough, dense enough, rich enough to speak to someone?
However, he also admitted he wouldn’t rule out using the techniques he gleaned fromMufasain the future, and even envisioned a project he would be interested in:
You know, a Muppet movie done in this style would be awesome. Awesome. In the same way we generate our PlayStation version of a scene, you could have a set that’s just the actual physical puppeteers, and Muppets are blocking the scene but just in a black box, you know? Or, let’s say, a green box. You’re capturing their performances and then you’re putting them all into virtual sets. I can see how that could work.
What Barry Jenkins' Comments About Mufasa Mean
The Director’s Experience Reflects The Challenges Of Fully Digital Filmmaking
The director’s candid discussion of his hesitation about working on another project likeMufasa: The Lion Kinghighlightsthe creative challenges behind a fully digital film, particularly for directors like him who excel at crafting deeply visceral, character-focused stories.Barry Jenkins’ filmographycontrasts sharply with the high-tech, hyperrealistic approach required forMufasa. This divergence from the hands-on style ofMoonlight’s cinematography to the Disney film’s visual effects demonstrateswhy Jenkins felt somewhat out of place during production.
10 Most Exciting Things To Expect From Mufasa: The Lion King
Mufasa: The Lion King’s release is getting ever closer, and the trailer and teased details from Disney have shown there’s a lot to get excited about.
The director’s experience also speaks to Disney’s recent pivot toward photorealistic animation in reimagining its animated classics, which were often hand-drawn. While the visual effects ofThe Lion Kingbroke barriers with its virtual reality technology, grossing over $1.6 billion worldwide, the film’s reception was mixed.Some critics cited an unfortunate loss of emotional warmth compared to the original.Screen Rant’s Molly Freeman wrote in a reviewof Favreau’s work that the CGI made the animals"more real,“but also “[caused] them all to feel much more flat in the process.”
Our Take On Barry Jenkins' Comments About Mufasa
The Director’s Style Could Elevate Mufasa Despite His Reservations
Jenkins’ openness about his reservations behind directing another film likeMufasa: The Lion Kingis a valuable insight into the intersection of art and technology. Nevertheless, Jenkins’ ability to imbue emotional intensity into any medium sets him apart as a visionary storyteller.His involvement ensures thatMufasawill deliver a profoundly poignant narrative, even withinthe constraints of CGI.
As technology continues to redefine filmmaking,directors like Jenkins remind us of the importance of emotional authenticity, whether achieved through practical or digital means. Whatever reservations Jenkins may have had about the process, his track record suggests thatMufasa: The Lion Kingcan evolve beyond its predecessor with a refreshingly sincere look at the great king’s past.
Mufasa: The Lion King
Cast
Mufasa: The Lion King explores the origins of the beloved character Mufasa, focusing on his youth as a lost cub who encounters Taka, a royal heir. Their meeting initiates an epic journey of self-discovery and destiny, featuring a group of misfit companions navigating the challenges of their world.
