Summary

• Disney is focusing on expanding The Lion King franchise with prequels like Mufasa: The Lion King, opening up new story opportunities.
• Timon and Pumbaa are central to the future of The Lion King movies, hinting at endless tales beyond Mufasa's story.
• Kiara's return in Mufasa: The Lion King suggests a possible live-action remake of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride if the box office succeeds.

Some may be surprised to learn that The Lion King franchise is returning with the new prequel movie, Mufasa: The Lion King, but this release will actually usher in even more The Lion King movies in the future. Set to premiere on December 20, 2024, Mufasa: The Lion King is a prequel to Disney's 1994 animated classic, The Lion King. The musical movie will tell the story of how Mufasa became the king of the Pride Lands. Mufasa: The Lion King's story is highly anticipated and may summon a new era for Disney.

These days, Disney is putting quite a bit of effort into making live-action adaptations, sequels, and prequels. Though the company is still putting out new material, a major chunk of their output each year is dedicated to turning their animated classics into Disney live-action films. These movies have been received with varying levels of success. However, a prequel like Mufasa: The Lion King does something different than a live-action adaptation. It not only brings The Lion King franchise back to the forefront, but it also kickstarts a new series of The Lion King movies.

Mufasa Hints At More The Lion King Movies Disney Can Make

Timon & Pumbaa Are Central To The Lion King's Future

Mufasa: The Lion King is an example of how Disney can continue a franchise beyond just regular sequels. The Lion King already received a pair of sequels following Simba's children, but Mufasa: The Lion King is choosing to go back in time instead. By doing this, the movie is opening up a whole new world of story opportunities centered on new characters and different areas of the Pride Lands. A big hint at this expansion comes in the Mufasa: The Lion King trailer when Timon and Pumbaa note that they have been part of countless stories over the years.

In this way, The Lion King could sustain itself on stories about other Pride Lands animals.

Mufasa: The Lion King may be about Mufasa and Scar, but it seems that Timon and Pumbaa are the core of The Lion King's expansion. This comedic duo have appeared in every installment of The Lion King over the years, and they could continue to play this pivotal role. Mufasa's Lion King story can only go so far, but Timon and Pumbaa could have endless tales to tell. Simba was not the first animal they helped, and likely wasn't the last either. In this way, The Lion King could sustain itself on stories about other Pride Lands animals.

Mufasa's New Characters Set Up A Simba's Pride Sequel Too

Kiara's Return Makes Live-Action Sequel More Likely

Mufasa: The Lion King does not just open the door to more The Lion King movies either. According to Mufasa: The Lion King's trailer, Mufasa's origin story is being told by Rafiki to Mufasa's granddaughter, Kiara. Notably, Kiara is Simba and Nala's daughter, and was the lead of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride. This will be the first time that Kiara will appear in live-action, and her first appearance since 1998. Mufasa: The Lion King did not have to bring back Kiara, but the fact that it did is meaningful.

The Lion King II: Simba's Pride was followed by 2004's The Lion King 1 1/2 which retold The Lion King from Timon and Pumbaa's perspective.

Kiara's return hints that a live-action remake of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride could happen. 2019's live-action The Lion King was incredibly successful, earning Disney $1.6 billion at the box office. Understandably, Disney likely wants to try its luck at adapting The Lion King sequel with the hopes of garnering the same success. Therefore, Disney has inserted Kiara into Mufasa: The Lion King to remind audiences of her story. Hopefully, interest in the live-action The Lion King II will then be stoked, and the movie will enter production.

Disney Won't Resist More Prequels & Sequels If Mufasa's Box Office Matches The Lion King

Mufasa: The Lion King's Predicted Box Office

The key to making these Lion King sequels and adaptations will be the box office. If Mufasa: The Lion King does well at the box office, Disney will most definitely dive right into expanding The Lion King franchise. Once again, the success of 2019's The Lion King is a hint at the franchise's potential popularity. On the other hand, if Mufasa: The Lion King underperforms, Disney may have to put all its ideas back in the closet and pursue other more lucrative projects. Disney's Lion King future won't be entirely clear until Mufasa: The Lion King's release.

At this time, it seems likely that Mufasa: The Lion King will do well at the box office. Though the movie likely has a large budget due to its use of CGI and its star-studded cast, Disney has broken even on significant budgets before. Furthermore, The Lion King's success throughout the years only bolsters Mufasa: The Lion King. This is one of Disney's most beloved franchises, so hopefully, it can meet the expectations of its predecessors.