Mufasa: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

Line 4:

| name = Mufasa

| series = [[The Lion King (franchise)|The Lion King]]

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| first = ''[[The Lion King]]'' (1994)

| last =

| creator = {{Plainlist|

* [[Irene Mecchi]]

* [[Jonathan Roberts]]

* [[Linda Woolverton]]}}

| designer = Tony Fucile (supervising animator)

| voice = [[James Earl Jones]]

Line 16 ⟶ 19:

| species = Lion

| title = King of the Pride Lands

| family = [[Simba]]{{Plainlist|

* [[Simba]] (son)

* [[Scar (The Lion King)|Scar]] (brother)}}

| significant_other = Sarabi

}}'''Mufasa''' is a fictional character in [[Walt Disney Animation Studios|Disney]]'s ''[[The Lion King (franchise)|The Lion King]]'' franchise. A wise, benevolent lion, the character first appears in the animated film ''[[The Lion King]]'' (1994) as the King of the Pride Lands and devoted father to [[Simba]], who he is groomingraising to inherit the throne. Mufasa is [[Fratricide|murdered]] by his younger brother, [[Scar (The Lion King)|Scar]], who kills Mufasa to [[Usurper|usurp]] rulership. Mufasa's death forces Simba to flee the Pride Lands in [[exile]], but his ghost appears to an adult Simba to convince his son to return home and confront his responsibilities as rightful heir, ultimately defeating Scar and restoring the Pride Lands. Mufasa was voiced by actor [[James Earl Jones]], who approached his performance as a "dopey" father figure, rather than a regal character.

Created by screenwriters [[Irene Mecchi]], [[Jonathan Roberts (writer)|Jonathan Roberts]], and [[Linda Woolverton]], Mufasa underwent several changes during [[The Lion King#Production|production]] of ''The Lion King'', namely making him related to Scar to enhance the film's plot, and having the character reappear as a ghost to provide Simba with a compelling reason to return to Pride Rock. The filmmakers strongly debated whether showing Mufasa's death on-screen was suitable for a children's film. While some writers suggested that he be killed [[Offscreen|off-screen]], director [[Rob Minkoff]] insisted on exploring Mufasa's death in detail, which was unprecedented for an animated film. The filmmakers then decided to alleviate the tone of the film by incorporating more comedic material after Mufasa dies. Mufasa was animated by supervising animator Tony Fucile, who drew inspiration from Jones's mannerisms and smile.

Jones received acclaim for his performance. Both critics and audiences were initially divided on whether Mufasa's death was too frightening for a children's film, many of whom compared it to the death of Bambi's mother in Disney's ''[[Bambi]]'' (1942). In retrospect, Mufasa's death is widely regarded as one of the most memorable on-screen deaths in film history, and has been noted for its particularly strong impact on [[millennials]]. Jones voiced the character in the 2019 remake of ''The Lion King'', the only main cast member from the original film to reprise their role. Actor [[Samuel E. Wright]] originated the role on Broadway in the stage adaptation of ''[[The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King]]'' (1997), for which he was nominated for the [[Tony Awards|Tony Award]] for [[Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical|Best Featured Actor in a Musical]]. A prequel, entitled ''[[Mufasa: The Lion King]]'', is scheduled to be released in 2024 and will explore Mufasa's background.

== Role ==

In ''[[The Lion King]]'' (1994), King Mufasa rules over the Pride Lands with his mate, [[Queen Sarabi]].<ref name=":34">{{Cite news |last=Peterson |first=Deborah |date=June 24, 1994 |title=Latest Jewel in Disney Crown Not the Shinest |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-the-lion-king/90968906/?locale=en-CA |url-access=registration |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125161835/https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-the-lion-king/90968906/?locale=en-CA |archive-date=January 25, 2024 |access-date=September 17, 2024 |work=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |quote=}}</ref> Their young son, Simba, is destined to eventually succeed his father as king. Mufasa teaches Simba the importance of maintaining the delicate balance of life inwithin the Pride Lands,<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 1994 |title=The 'mane' event is sure to be a roaring success |url=https://issuu.com/swindonlink6/docs/october1994 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227025924/https://issuu.com/swindonlink6/docs/october1994 |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |access-date=September 19, 2024 |work=Swindon Link |via=[[Issuu]]}}</ref> and cautions Simbathe cub to prepare for when he will inevitably take his place.<ref name=":72">{{Cite news |date=August 13, 2023 |title=The Lion King |url=https://bfidatadigipres.github.io/making%20magic%3Cbr%3E100%20years%20of%20disney/2023/08/13/lion-king/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912130106/https://bfidatadigipres.github.io/making%20magic%3Cbr%3E100%20years%20of%20disney/2023/08/13/lion-king/ |archive-date=September 12, 2024 |access-date=September 12, 2024 |work=[[BFI Southbank|BFI Southbank Programme Notes]]}}</ref> However, Mufasa's younger brother, Scar, covets the throne, and plots to eliminate both Mufasa and Simba to seize it for himself. One fateful day, Scar triggers a [[wildebeest]] stampede that traps Simba in a deep [[gorge]], knowing Mufasa would rush into danger to save his son.<ref name=":10">{{Cite news |last=Frank |first=Priscilla |date=July 19, 2019 |title=It Took a Disney Kingdom to Kill Cartoon Mufasa |url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/07/mufasa-death-scene-the-original-lion-king-animators-discuss.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201133213/https://www.vulture.com/2019/07/mufasa-death-scene-the-original-lion-king-animators-discuss.html |archive-date=February 1, 2023 |access-date=September 13, 2024 |work=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]] |quote=The effect was chilling, for children and New York Times reviewers alike.}}</ref> MufasaAfter heroicallyrescuing rescuesSimba, his son butMufasa is tragically caught in the stampede himself. Mufasaand struggles to climb up out of the gorge, where Scar waits above. As Mufasa pleads for help, Scar pierce's Mufasa's claws with his own,<ref name=":23">{{Cite news |title=Greatest Movie Death Scenes |url=https://www.filmsite.org/bestdeaths41.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801165255/https://www.filmsite.org/bestdeaths41.html |archive-date=August 1, 2021 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=[[Filmsite]]}}</ref><ref name=":25">{{Cite news |date=July 29, 2019 |title=Inside Mufasa’s Lion King Death Scene, A Tearjerker For The Ages |url=https://www.gqmiddleeast.com/culture/inside-mufasas-lion-king-death-scene-a-tearjerker-for-the-ages |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916161220/https://www.gqmiddleeast.com/culture/inside-mufasas-lion-king-death-scene-a-tearjerker-for-the-ages |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=[[GQ Middle East]] |quote=much like the Bambi mother murder that traumatized another generation of children decades before}}</ref> and pushes him to his death below.<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":33">{{Cite news |last=Witiw |first=John |date=November 3, 2023 |title=10 Coming-of-Age Movies from the 1990s That Made Us Bawl Our Eyes Out |url=https://movieweb.com/coming-of-age-movies-1990s-made-us-cry/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919003804/https://movieweb.com/coming-of-age-movies-1990s-made-us-cry/ |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |access-date=September 17, 2024 |work=[[MovieWeb]] |quote=Mufasa's death is one of the most infamous death sequences in animation history.}}</ref> Scar manipulates a young Simba into believing he caused Mufasa's demise, forcing him to flee in guilt and shame.<ref name=":72" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lion King, The (film) |url=https://d23.com/a-to-z/lion-king-the-film/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222042846/https://d23.com/a-to-z/lion-king-the-film/ |archive-date=February 22, 2024 |access-date=September 13, 2024 |website=[[D23 (Disney)|D23]]}}</ref> Lost and alone, Simba finds refuge in the jungle, where he is raised by [[Timon and Pumbaa]], a meerkat and a warthog.<ref name=":72" /> Despite his new carefree life, the guilt of his perceived actions lingers.<ref name=":72" /> Years later, Simba is reunited with Rafiki, a wise baboon who reveals that Mufasa's spirit lives on inside of him.<ref name=":72" /> Mufasa's spirit appears in the clouds as a ghostly [[Apparition (supernatural)|apparition]] to impart wisdom and remind Simba about the importance of facing his responsibilities,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gonzalez |first=Ed |date=September 28, 2003 |title=Review: The Lion King |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-lion-king/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821085646/https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-lion-king/ |archive-date=August 21, 2024 |access-date=September 23, 2024 |work=[[Slant Magazine]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Russel |first=Candice |date=June 24, 1994 |title=`Lion' Is King Of Jungle For All Ages |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1994-06-24/entertainment/9406220442_1_simba-mufasa-lion |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619063058/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1994-06-24/entertainment/9406220442_1_simba-mufasa-lion |archive-date=June 19, 2018 |access-date=September 23, 2024 |work=[[Sun Sentinel]]}}</ref> prompting Simba to return to the Pride Lands, where he confronts and defeats Scar, and ultimately reclaims his rightful place as king.<ref name=":72" />

== Development ==

Line 32 ⟶ 37:

''The Lion King'' was the first film released during the [[Disney Renaissance]]{{Efn|The [[Disney Renaissance]] was a period from 1989 to 1999 when [[Walt Disney Feature Animation]] experienced a resurgence in critical and commercial acclaim, releasing some of the studio's most successful animated films. ''The Lion King'' was the fifth film released during this period.<ref name="disneyrenaissanceBFI">{{cite news |last1=Determan |first1=Sophie |title=The many merry eras of Disney |url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/features/many-merry-eras-disney |access-date=September 13, 2024 |work=[[British Film Institute]] |date=February 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831145152/https://www.bfi.org.uk/features/many-merry-eras-disney |archive-date=August 31, 2024}}</ref>|name=Disney Renaissance definition}} to focus on a father-son relationship, rather than a romantic one.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 10, 2022 |title=The Lion King Mufasa Production Maquette (Walt Disney, 1994).... |url=https://comics.ha.com/itm/animation-art/maquette/the-lion-king-mufasa-production-maquette-walt-disney-1994-/a/7295-17172.s#auction-description |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912122449/https://comics.ha.com/itm/animation-art/maquette/the-lion-king-mufasa-production-maquette-walt-disney-1994-/a/7295-17172.s#auction-description |archive-date=September 12, 2024 |access-date=September 12, 2024 |work=[[Heritage Auctions]]}}</ref> Producer [[Don Hahn]] described the film as "essentially a love story between a father and a son ... It’s about that moment in life when you realise that your father is going to pass on to you his wisdom and knowledge".<ref name=":72" /> In early drafts of the film, Mufasa was not related to Scar,<ref name=":52" />{{Efn|In early versions of the story, Scar was originally a rogue lion unrelated to Mufasa, before the filmmakers incorporated inspiration from [[William Shakespeare]]'s play [[Hamlet]].<ref name="scarbackstorycomicbook.com">{{cite news |last1=Bonomolo |first1=Cameron |title=Mufasa: The Lion King Changes Scar's Backstory |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/mufasa-the-lion-king-scar-backstory-change/ |access-date=September 14, 2024 |work=[[ComicBook.com]] |date=April 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503063912/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/mufasa-the-lion-king-scar-backstory-change/ |archive-date=May 3, 2024}}</ref>|name=Scar rogue lion}} but the producers decided that making these characters brothers would provide a more interesting story.<ref name=":52" /> However, the characters' physical appearances had already been finalized, leaving little [[Family resemblance (anthropology)|family resemblance]] between the pair.<ref name=":52">{{Cite news |last=Nilles |first=Billy |date=June 19, 2019 |title=The Lion King Turns 25: Everything You Need to Know About Disney's Original Trip to Pride Rock |url=https://www.eonline.com/ca/news/1049788/the-lion-king-turns-25-everything-you-need-to-know-about-disney-s-original-trip-to-pride-rock |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505231418/https://www.eonline.com/ca/news/1049788/the-lion-king-turns-25-everything-you-need-to-know-about-disney-s-original-trip-to-pride-rock |archive-date=May 5, 2023 |access-date=September 11, 2024 |work=[[E!]]}}</ref> According to director [[Rob Minkoff]], they had always imagined that Mufasa accidentally gave Scar his [[Eponym|eponymous]] scar when they were children.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Romano |first=Nick |date=August 29, 2017 |title=The Lion King director reacts to film's Honest Trailer |url=https://ew.com/movies/2017/08/29/the-lion-king-honest-trailer-director-commentary/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914031602/https://ew.com/movies/2017/08/29/the-lion-king-honest-trailer-director-commentary/ |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |access-date=September 13, 2024 |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> Although Mufasa and Scar refer to each other as "brothers" as members of the same pride,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hanley |first=Cecelia |date=August 17, 2017 |title=Lion King makers reveal Scar, Mufasa aren't brothers |url=https://www.wtxl.com/syndication/lion-king-makers-reveal-scar-mufasa-aren-t-brothers/article_2aa4abde-eafd-5d96-b2bb-594904722bf9.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928213132/https://www.wtxl.com/syndication/lion-king-makers-reveal-scar-mufasa-aren-t-brothers/article_2aa4abde-eafd-5d96-b2bb-594904722bf9.html |archive-date=September 28, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2024 |work=[[WTXL-TV|WTXL ABC 27]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Whitehead |first=Mat |date=August 17, 2017 |title=Hold Up, It Turns Out Scar And Mufasa Aren't Even Brothers |url=https://www.huffpost.com/archive/au/entry/hold-up-it-turns-out-scar-and-mufasa-arent-even-brothers_au_5cd36a0ce4b0acea950069e6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917193537/https://www.huffpost.com/archive/au/entry/hold-up-it-turns-out-scar-and-mufasa-arent-even-brothers_au_5cd36a0ce4b0acea950069e6 |archive-date=September 17, 2024 |access-date=September 14, 2024 |work=[[HuffPost]]}}</ref> Hahn retrospectively suggested that it would have been unlikely for Mufasa and Scar to share the same parents because lion prides typically have only one adult male,<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 21, 2017 |title='Lion King' director reveals shocking truth about Mufasa and Scar |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/lion-king-director-reveals-shocking-truth-about-mufasa-and-scar-117082100470_1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914064612/https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/lion-king-director-reveals-shocking-truth-about-mufasa-and-scar-117082100470_1.html |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |access-date=September 14, 2024 |work=[[Business Standard]]}}</ref> with younger rogue lions often killing a pride's original leader and his offspring to assert dominance.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lang |first=Cady |date=August 29, 2017 |title=The Lion King Director Confirms That Mufasa and Scar Are Totally Brothers |url=https://time.com/4920182/the-lion-king-mufasa-scar-brothers/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913014604/https://time.com/4920182/the-lion-king-mufasa-scar-brothers/ |archive-date=September 13, 2024 |access-date=September 12, 2024 |work=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ani |date=August 21, 2017 |title='The Lion King' director reveals truth about Mufasa and Scar |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/entertainment/lion-king-director-reveals-truth-mufasa-scar.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914063329/https://www.theweek.in/news/entertainment/lion-king-director-reveals-truth-mufasa-scar.html |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |access-date=September 14, 2024 |work=[[The Week (Indian magazine)|The Week]]}}</ref>{{Efn|In a 2017 interview, producer [[Don Hahn]] received widespread media coverage when he suggested that, contrary to popular belief, Mufasa and Scar are not blood-related brothers due to power and gender dynamics that typically limit lion prides to one adult male.<ref name="mufasacarbrotherhoodglamour">{{cite news |last1=Rosa |first1=Christopher |title=Um, Mufasa and Scar Aren't Actually Brothers in 'The Lion King' |url=https://www.glamour.com/story/mufasa-scar-not-actually-brothers-in-the-lion-king |access-date=September 12, 2024 |work=[[Glamour (magazine)|Glamour]] |date=August 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814101646/https://www.glamour.com/story/mufasa-scar-not-actually-brothers-in-the-lion-king |archive-date=August 14, 2024}}</ref><ref name="mufasascartoday">{{cite news |last1=Curley |first1=Julia |title='Lion King' producer reveals shocking truth about Scar, Mufasa |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/lion-king-producer-reveals-shocking-truth-about-scar-mufasa-t115294 |access-date=September 12, 2024 |work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] |date=August 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330070235/https://www.today.com/popculture/lion-king-producer-reveals-shocking-truth-about-scar-mufasa-t115294 |archive-date=March 30, 2022 |quote=Hahn off-handedly caused an existential crisis for "Lion King" lovers when he said, “Scar and Mufasa couldn’t really be from the same gene pool.”}}</ref> Hahn said Scar alludes to their nonrelation with a line referencing that he belongs to "the shallow end of the [[gene pool]]".<ref name="genepoolcomicbook.com">{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Jenna |title='The Lion King' Producer Says Mufasa and Scar Aren't Actually Brothers |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/lion-king-mufasa-scar-brothers-don-hahn/ |access-date=September 14, 2024 |work=[[ComicBook.com]] |date=August 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710095725/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/lion-king-mufasa-scar-brothers-don-hahn/ |archive-date=July 10, 2024}}</ref> Following fan outcry, the statement was retracted by director [[Rob Minkoff]].<ref name="mufasascarinquirer">{{cite news |last1=Ibarrola |first1=Khristian |title=‘Lion King’ director retracts earlier statement, says Mufasa and Scar are brothers |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/240548/lion-king-director-retracts-earlier-statement-says-mufasa-scar-brothers |access-date=September 13, 2024 |work=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] |date=August 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831091443/https://entertainment.inquirer.net/240548/lion-king-director-retracts-earlier-statement-says-mufasa-scar-brothers |archive-date=August 31, 2017 |quote=“We got into trouble,” he described the backlash that ensued from his earlier revelation.}}</ref><ref name="mufasascargoodhousekeeping">{{cite news |last1=Brodsky |first1=Sam |title=Update: "Lion King" Director Confirms that Scar and Mufasa Are Brothers |url=https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/news/a45633/lion-king-scar-and-mufasa-not-brothers/ |access-date=September 12, 2024 |work=[[Good Housekeeping]] |date=September 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326223948/https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/news/a45633/lion-king-scar-and-mufasa-not-brothers/ |archive-date=March 26, 2023}}</ref>|name=Mufasa and Scar brothers.}}

Screenwriter [[Linda Woolverton]] described writing Mufasa's death as realizing they would need to make him "the greatest father that ever lived" for his death to feel particularly impactful.<ref name=":9" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Fallon |first=Kevin |date=July 12, 2017 |title=The ‘Maleficent’ Screenwriter Also Wrote ‘The Lion King’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’ |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-maleficent-screenwriter-also-wrote-the-lion-king-and-beauty-and-the-beast |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240414114344/https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-maleficent-screenwriter-also-wrote-the-lion-king-and-beauty-and-the-beast |archive-date=April 14, 2024 |access-date=September 13, 2024 |work=[[The Daily Beast]]}}</ref> By the time Minkoff became involved, they had already decided Mufasa would die from a stampede, albeit in a less brutal manner.<ref name=":10" /> Death via stampede{{Efn|Although Mufasa's exact [[cause of death]] is not shown on-screen after Scar throws him from the cliff, critics agree that the character was "trampled to death" by the stampeding wildebeests.<ref name="tramplednyt">{{cite news |last1=Lipson |first1=Eden Ross |author1-link=Eden Ross Lipson |title=July 3-9; A Better Reason to Fear "The Lion King" |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/10/weekinreview/july-39-a-better-reason-to-fear-the-lion-king.html |access-date=October 1, 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=July 10, 1994}}</ref><ref name="trampledhoustonpress">{{cite news |last1=Szatmary |first1=Peter |title=A Lame, and Troubling, Lion |url=https://www.houstonpress.com/film/a-lame-and-troubling-lion-6572883 |access-date=October 1, 2024 |work=[[Houston Press]] |date=July 7, 1994}}</ref><ref name="trampledtodeathgainsville">{{cite news |last1=Barrera |first1=Sandra |title=The Lion King, IMAX version |url=https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/2002/12/25/the-lion-king-imax-version/31622786007/ |access-date=October 1, 2024 |work=[[The Gainesville Sun]] |date=December 24, 2002}}</ref>|name=trampledtodeath}} was one of the few ideas that remained unchanged during the film's production, which was chosen because lions [[Apex predator|lack natural predators]].<ref name=":29" /> Minkoff lobbied in favor of exploring his death in more detail, which was unusual for an animated film at the time.<ref name=":10" /> The director also understood the risk of [[Killing off|killing]] a character as important as Mufasa so late into the film, after viewers had already become attached.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Foutch |first=Haleigh |date=August 29, 2017 |title='The Lion King' Co-Director Explains Why the Animated Classic Was a Bold Move for Disney |url=https://collider.com/lion-king-blu-ray-interview-rob-minkoff/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730070902/https://collider.com/lion-king-blu-ray-interview-rob-minkoff/ |archive-date=July 30, 2023 |access-date=September 14, 2024 |work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]}}</ref> Although they drew inspiration from the implied off-screen death of Bambi's mother in ''[[Bambi]]'' (1942),<ref>{{Cite news |last=Polowy |first=Kevin |date=August 31, 2017 |title='The Lion King' director explains how death of Bambi's mom influenced the death of Simba's dad |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/lion-king-director-explains-death-bambis-mom-influenced-death-simbas-dad-233203927.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420015422/https://www.yahoo.com/web/20240420015422/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/lion-king-director-explains-death-bambis-mom-influenced-death-simbas-dad-233203927.html |archive-date=April 20, 2024 |access-date=September 24, 2024 |work=[[Yahoo! Entertainment]]}}</ref><ref name=":43">{{Cite news |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=June 24, 2024 |title=The Lion King at 30: The Disney Movie 'No One Was Supposed to Care About' |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-lion-king-at-30-the-disney-movie-no-one-was-supposed-to-care-about |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811042051/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-lion-king-at-30-the-disney-movie-no-one-was-supposed-to-care-about |archive-date=August 11, 2024 |access-date=September 19, 2024 |work=[[IGN]] |id=Some crew members such as inbetweener Rachel Bibb referred to it as "our Bambi moment".}}</ref><ref name=":45">{{Cite news |last=Stone |first=Jay |date=June 24, 1994 |title=Film roars with glorious creativity |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/464913433/?clipping_id=90967673&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjQ2NDkxMzQzMywiaWF0IjoxNzI2ODU3NzI2LCJleHAiOjE3MjY5NDQxMjZ9.UAaCwbRj7hf7b1F9cHgs1k7Sa8ASvXt_2iYcBeMgz-Q&terms=mufasa&match=1 |url-access=registration |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920190053/https://www.newspapers.com/image/464913433/?clipping_id=90967673&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjQ2NDkxMzQzMywiaWF0IjoxNzI2ODU3NzI2LCJleHAiOjE3MjY5NDQxMjZ9.UAaCwbRj7hf7b1F9cHgs1k7Sa8ASvXt_2iYcBeMgz-Q&terms=mufasa&match=1 |archive-date=September 20, 2024 |access-date=September 20, 2024 |work=[[The Ottawa Citizen]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> Minkoff argued that ''The Lion King'' should confront Mufasa's death in a more direct manner by having Simba interact with his dead body on-screen.<ref name=":26">{{Cite news |last=Conaboy |first=Kelly |date=December 28, 2023 |title=The Bizarre Tragedy of Children’s Movies |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2023/12/kids-movies-sadness-tragedy-emotional-reaction/675599/ |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227003615/https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2023/12/kids-movies-sadness-tragedy-emotional-reaction/675599/ |archive-date=February 27, 2024 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=[[The Atlantic]]}}</ref> According to art director [[Andy Gaskill]], the decision to slowly reveal Mufasa's lifeless body as the dust clears from the scene heightens its realism by allowing audiences and Simba to realize what has occurred simultaneously.<ref name=":10" /> The creative team was initially divided on whether showing Mufasa's death was appropriate for the film's target audience,<ref name=":10" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Beck |first=Jerry |author-link=Jerry Beck |url=https://www.google.ca/books/edition/The_Animated_Movie_Guide/fTI1yeZd-tkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=linda+woolverton+%22mufasa%22&pg=PA145&printsec=frontcover |title=The Animated Movie Guide |publisher=[[Chicago Review Press]] |year=2005 |isbn=9781569762226 |location=United States |pages=146 |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Holub |first=Christian |date=April 2, 2018 |title=The Lion King stars look back on the making of the animated hit |url=https://ew.com/movies/2018/04/02/disney-lion-king-timon-pumbaa-simba/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526025241/https://ew.com/movies/2018/04/02/disney-lion-king-timon-pumbaa-simba/ |archive-date=May 26, 2024 |access-date=September 28, 2024 |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> and carefully re-wrote the scene to straddle "'the sweet spot of emotion,' pushing just far enough without making the scene too overwhelming for its young audience".<ref name=":9" /> One crew member suggested that his death occur in the distance or shadows, but Minkoff [[Veto|vetoed]] the idea.<ref name=":26" /> Despite its short length,{{Efn|Mufasa's death scene occurs thirty-two minutes and ten seconds into the film and last five minutes, according to ''[[Christianity Today|Preaching Today]]''.<ref name="deathlength">{{cite news |title="The Lion King": Substitutionary Sacrifice |url=https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2001/july/13153.html |access-date=October 2, 2024 |work=[[Christianity Today|Preaching Today]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020112428/https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2001/july/13153.html |archive-date=October 20, 2020}}</ref>|name=mufasadeathduration}} Mufasa's death required approximately 30 filmmakers and over two years to complete;<ref name=":10" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Anvita |date=July 22, 2019 |title=The Lion King: why legacy endures, what is different in reimagined version |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/the-lion-king-why-legacy-endures-what-is-different-in-reimagined-version-5840839/ |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811053905/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/the-lion-king-why-legacy-endures-what-is-different-in-reimagined-version-5840839/ |archive-date=August 11, 2024 |access-date=September 30, 2024 |work=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref> it was the last scene finished, despite being the first storyboarded.<ref name=":29" /> Even as the sequence progressed through different stages of production, [[Inbetween artist|inbetweener]] Rachel Bibb still expected it to be edited out, but it was ultimately retained because Disney understood its importance to the final film.<ref name=":43" /> Mufasa's death also mirrors the plot structure of [[William Shakespeare]]'s play ''[[Hamlet]]''.<ref name=":17" />

Mufasa's death prompted the filmmakers to conceive ways to lighten the film's mood afterward.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bonanno |first=Luke |date=September 30, 2011 |title=Interview: Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, The Directors of The Lion King - Page 2 of 2 |url=https://dvdizzy.com/lionking-directors-interview2.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914063812/https://dvdizzy.com/lionking-directors-interview2.html |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |access-date=September 14, 2024 |website=DVDizzy.com}}</ref> Minkoff suggested sending Simba into exile immediately, which allowed the emotional impact of Mufasa's death to be alleviated by Timon and Pumbaa's humor.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Clarke |first=James |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B090Ndx1o6cC&dq=don+hahn+mufasa&pg=PT352 |title=Animated Films - Virgin Film |publisher=[[Ebury Publishing]] |year=2012 |isbn=9781448132812 |location=United Kingdom |access-date=September 18, 2024 |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> Originally, they had not planned for Mufasa to reappear after his death,<ref name=":21">{{Cite news |last=Baxter-Wright |first=Dusty |date=July 26, 2016 |title=21 things you didn't know about The Lion King |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a44918/things-you-didnt-know-lion-king/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720134937/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a44918/things-you-didnt-know-lion-king/ |archive-date=July 20, 2024 |access-date=September 14, 2024 |work=[[Cosmopolitan (magazine)|Cosmopolitan]]}}</ref> but they wanted Simba to be given a concrete reason to return to Pride Rock, and decided to have his father's ghost convince him during meetings with Minkoff.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ryan |first=Keeley |date=July 19, 2019 |title=13 things about The Lion King that you (probably) didn't know |url=https://her.ie/entertainment/13-things-lion-king-probably-didnt-know-473186 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912023926/https://her.ie/entertainment/13-things-lion-king-probably-didnt-know-473186 |archive-date=September 12, 2024 |access-date=September 11, 2024 |work=[[Her.ie]]}}</ref><ref name=":35">{{Cite news |last=Armstrong |first=Josh |date=October 8, 2011 |title=Allers & Minkoff: The Legacy of The Lion King |url=https://animatedviews.com/2011/allers-and-minkoff-egacy-of-the-lion-king/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917164849/https://animatedviews.com/2011/allers-and-minkoff-egacy-of-the-lion-king/ |archive-date=September 17, 2024 |access-date=September 13, 2024 |work=Animated Views}}</ref> Animator [[Chris Sanders]] and story artist [[Brenda Chapman]] were responsible for the scene where Mufasa's spirit tells Simba to return home.<ref name=":51">{{Cite book |last=Diamond |first=Ron |author-link=Ron Diamond |url=https://www.google.ca/books/edition/On_Animation/UPCyDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=rob+minkoff+%22mufasa%22&pg=PA135&printsec=frontcover |title=On Animation – The Director's Perspective Vol 1 |publisher=[[CRC Press]] |year=2019 |isbn=9781351657709 |location=United States |publication-date=2019 |page=135 |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref><ref name=":02">{{Cite news |last=Kring-schreifels |first=Jake |date=July 19, 2019 |title=How the Original 'Lion King' Came to Life |url=https://www.theringer.com/movies/2019/7/19/20699678/the-lion-king-original-animation-1994 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911183051/https://www.theringer.com/movies/2019/7/19/20699678/the-lion-king-original-animation-1994 |archive-date=September 11, 2024 |access-date=September 11, 2024 |work=[[The Ringer]]}}</ref><ref name=":36">{{Cite web |title=A Conversation with Brenda Chapman – Transcript |url=https://www.pbs.org/video/a-conversation-with-brenda-chapman-qeaaye/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918162444/https://www.pbs.org/video/a-conversation-with-brenda-chapman-qeaaye/ |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |access-date=September 18, 2024 |website=[[PBS]]}}</ref> Since it was one of the first scenes written for the film,<ref name=":51" /> Chapman wrote Mufasa's dialogue repeating "remember" to call back to an earlier scene in which Mufasa scolds Simba for visiting the elephant graveyard,<ref name=":36" /> although that scene had not yet been written.<ref name=":51" /> She had intended for the dialogue to simply serve as a placeholder but ultimately retained it.<ref name=":51" /><ref name=":36" /> From the dialogue, Sanders determined that the character would manifest as either "a lifelike ghost, a series of stars, or just a dark presence" in the scene.<ref name=":02" /> He drew inspiration from a musical excerpt from the film ''[[The Mission (1986 film)|The Mission]]'' (1986), and used [[Pastel (color)|pastels]] "to fully encapsulate a vision of Mufasa emerging from the clouds".<ref name=":02" />

Line 52 ⟶ 57:

Critics and audiences initially expressed varying opinions about Mufasa's death.<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":24">{{Cite news |last=Mirabal |first=Marisa |date=August 21, 2022 |title=How Mufasa's Death In The Lion King Broke The Rules Of Disney |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/964725/how-mufasas-death-in-the-lion-king-broke-the-rules-of-disney/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615150832/https://www.slashfilm.com/964725/how-mufasas-death-in-the-lion-king-broke-the-rules-of-disney/ |archive-date=June 15, 2024 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=[[/Film]] |quote=This scene devastated audiences, both kids and adults alike}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Muiruri |first=Peter |date=September 11, 2024 |title=James Earl Jones, the actor behind Lion King's Mufasa is dead |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health/entertainment/article/2001502420/james-earl-jones-the-actor-behind-lion-kings-mufasa-is-dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917044404/https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health/entertainment/article/2001502420/james-earl-jones-the-actor-behind-lion-kings-mufasa-is-dead |archive-date=September 17, 2024 |access-date=September 17, 2024 |work=[[The Standard (Kenya)|The Standard]] |quote=Mufasa was killed by his ambitious brother Scar, much to the consternation of young viewers who had forged an emotional attachment with Mufasa.}}</ref><ref name=":48" /> According to Jessica Wang of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', no viewer was left "emotionally unaffected" in 1994.<ref name=":3">{{Cite magazine |last=Wang |first=Jessica |date=September 9, 2024 |title=James Earl Jones' most memorable roles: Field of Dreams, The Lion King, Star Wars, more |url=https://ew.com/james-earl-jones-most-memorable-roles-8709253 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911021639/https://ew.com/james-earl-jones-most-memorable-roles-8709253 |archive-date=September 11, 2024 |access-date=September 12, 2024 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> Dan Webster of ''[[The Spokesman-Review]]'' called the moment "a [[plot twist]] unfamiliar to this era of family-values emphasis".<ref name=":46">{{Cite news |last=Webster |first=Dan |date=March 3, 1995 |title=‘The Lion King’ Is Another Crowning Achievement For Disney |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/mar/03/the-lion-king-is-another-crowning-achievement-for/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125161429/https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/mar/03/the-lion-king-is-another-crowning-achievement-for/ |archive-date=January 25, 2024 |access-date=September 20, 2024 |work=[[The Spokesman-Review]]}}</ref> Film critic [[Hal Hinson]] predicted that Mufasa's death would be as widely debated as "the killing of Bambi's mother".<ref name=":48">{{Cite news |last=Hinson |first=Hal |author-link=Hal Hinson |date=June 24, 1994 |title='The Lion King' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/review96/lionkinghin.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227152856/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/review96/lionkinghin.htm |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |access-date=September 23, 2024 |work=[[The Washington Post]] |quote=Mufasa will be the most widely debated aspect of "The Lion King," with people taking sides as to whether such things are good or bad for kids}}</ref> At the time of the film's release, news outlets reported that several parents complained that the scene was not appropriate for a film marketed towards younger viewers,<ref name=":13">{{Cite news |last=Simonpillai |first=Radheyan |date=June 15, 2024 |title=‘It always destroys me’: our writers on their saddest movie deaths |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/article/2024/jun/15/saddest-movie-deaths |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802012830/https://www.theguardian.com/film/article/2024/jun/15/saddest-movie-deaths |archive-date=August 2, 2024 |access-date=September 13, 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]] |quote=news coverage at the time reporting on parents reacting to its intensity}}</ref><ref name=":14" /> voicing concerns about children experiencing [[Nightmare|nightmares]], worrying about their own parents, and [[Developmental regression|regressing]].<ref name=":28" /> In return, some commentators accused said parents of being [[Helicopter parent|overprotective]].<ref name=":14">{{Cite news |last=Rubenstein |first=Carin |date=July 14, 1994 |title=Parent & Child; Debating the Violence in 'Lion King' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/14/garden/parent-child-debating-the-violence-in-lion-king.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213093241/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/14/garden/parent-child-debating-the-violence-in-lion-king.html |archive-date=February 13, 2023 |access-date=September 13, 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]] |quote=critics continue to square off over the violence of several scenes in the movie, including the famous wildebeest stampede, in which a lion cub watches as his father is trampled to death ... Some commentators have scolded the baby-boom parents who complain about these scenes for being overprotective.}}</ref> According to Darryl E. Owens of ''[[Tampa Bay Times]]'', [[Child development|child-development]] experts warned that the death could be potentially traumatizing and anxiety-inducing if parents fail to prepare their children before viewing,<ref name=":28">{{Cite news |last=Owens |first=Darryl E. |date=July 1, 1994 |title="Lion King' has jarring scene |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1994/07/01/lion-king-has-jarring-scene/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916161545/https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1994/07/01/lion-king-has-jarring-scene/ |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=[[Tampa Bay Times]]}}</ref> but child therapist Mercedes Ojeda-Castro encouraged parents to use the opportunity to discuss death.<ref name=":27">{{Cite news |date=June 26, 1994 |title=Remember Bambi |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1994/06/26/remember-bambi/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916154800/https://www.chicagotribune.com/1994/06/26/remember-bambi/ |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref> Several critics cited Mufasa's death as potentially frightening for younger viewers.<ref name=":34" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=August 4, 1994 |title="The Lion King': a fictional story, to entertain |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1994/08/04/the-lion-king-a-fictional-story-to-entertain/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=September 17, 2024 |work=[[Tampa Bay Times]] |quote=The intensity of the scene in which Mufasa ... can be frightening for very young children}}</ref><ref name=":17">{{Cite news |last=Klass |first=Perri |author-link=Perri Klass |date=June 19, 1994 |title=FILM VIEW; A Bambi For the 90's, Via Shakespeare |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/19/movies/film-view-a-bambi-for-the-90-s-via-shakespeare.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326185155/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/19/movies/film-view-a-bambi-for-the-90-s-via-shakespeare.html |archive-date=March 26, 2019 |access-date=September 13, 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]] |quote=Many reviewers have specifically noted the potentially frightening aspects of the movie.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Davenport |first=Hugo |date=October 7, 1994 |title=Mane Event's Hollow Roar |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/751802853/?clipping_id=139920950 |url-access=registration |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920185022/https://www.newspapers.com/image/751802853/?clipping_id=139920950 |archive-date=September 20, 2024 |access-date=September 20, 2024 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Turan |first=Kenneth |author-link=Kenneth Turan |date=June 15, 1994 |title=MOVIE REVIEW : ‘The Lion King’ and His Court Jesters : The Sidekicks Steal the Show in Disney’s Animated Opus |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-15-ca-4277-story.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626173805/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-15-ca-4277-story.html |archive-date=June 26, 2024 |access-date=September 23, 2024 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref><ref name=":47">{{Cite news |last=Berardinelli |first=James |author-link=James Berardinelli |date=1994 |title=Lion King, The (United States, 1994) |url=https://www.reelviews.net/reelviews/lion-king-the |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421181819/https://www.reelviews.net/reelviews/lion-king-the |archive-date=April 21, 2024 |access-date=September 23, 2024 |work=[[ReelViews]]}}</ref> Film critic [[Janet Maslin]] questioned the film's [[G rating]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Maslin |first=Janet |author-link=Janet Maslin |date=June 15, 1994 |title=Review/Film; The Hero Within The Child Within |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/15/movies/review-film-the-hero-within-the-child-within.html |url-access=registration |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910003110/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/15/movies/review-film-the-hero-within-the-child-within.html |archive-date=September 10, 2024 |access-date=September 13, 2023 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> and Stone said the film "could have done without" Simba's attempts to awaken his dead father.<ref name=":45" /> Ranking it among the most traumatic moments from a Disney film, Paolo Ragusa of ''[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]'' said, "It may be cruel, but with years of reflection, it’s a profoundly important detail in the scope of ''The Lion King'', and though it’s difficult to not feel the pangs of loss after all this time, it’s animated with palpable emotion and cinematic elegance".<ref name=":30">{{Cite news |last=Ragusa |first=Paolo |date=May 16, 2023 |title=The Disney Scenes That Traumatized Us |url=https://consequence.net/2023/05/most-traumatic-disney-scenes/3/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916182420/https://consequence.net/2023/05/most-traumatic-disney-scenes/3/ |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]}}</ref> Several reviewers, such as [[Roger Ebert]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ebert |first=Roger |date=June 24, 1994 |title=The Lion King |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-lion-king-1994 |access-date=September 23, 2024 |work=[[RogerEbert.com]]}}</ref> compared Mufasa's death to that of Bambi's mother,<ref name=":25" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Paul |first=Beau |date=November 9, 2023 |title=What happened to Mufasa’s body in ‘The Lion King?’ (Did Scar eat Mufasa?) |url=https://www.dailydot.com/news/did-scar-eat-mufasa-lion-king/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916191426/https://www.dailydot.com/news/did-scar-eat-mufasa-lion-king/ |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=[[The Daily Dot]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=King |first=Dennis |date=Jun 24, 1994 |title=`The Lion King' |url=https://tulsaworld.com/archives/the-lion-king/article_7d12e06f-071c-53da-814e-2665368d0bb2.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129070308/https://tulsaworld.com/archives/the-lion-king/article_7d12e06f-071c-53da-814e-2665368d0bb2.html |archive-date=November 29, 2017 |access-date=September 20, 2024 |work=[[Tulsa World]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rafferty |first=Terrence |author-link=Terrence Rafferty |date=1994 |title=The Lion King |url=http://www.newyorker.com/arts/reviews/film/the_lion_king_minkoff |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019091903/http://www.newyorker.com/arts/reviews/film/the_lion_king_minkoff |archive-date=October 19, 2013 |access-date=September 20, 2024 |work=[[The New Yorker]]}}</ref><ref name=":47" /> with Hugh Armitage of [[Digital Spy]] describing it as "Bambi's mother's death for a new generation - just much more visceral and violent".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Armitage |first=Hugh |date=May 5, 2016 |title=11 times Disney traumatised us as children: From Mufasa's death to the things under Sid's bed |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a793026/disney-traumatised-us-as-children/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916163309/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a793026/disney-traumatised-us-as-children/ |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref> ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''<nowiki/>'s Jeremy Gerard suggested that parents who remember being traumatized by ''Bambi'' should use it to gauge "who goes to "The Lion King" -- and who stays home with the babysitter".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gerard |first=Jeremy |date=June 12, 1994 |title=The Lion King |url=https://variety.com/1994/film/reviews/the-lion-king-disney-1200437594/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821042828/https://variety.com/1994/film/reviews/the-lion-king-disney-1200437594/ |archive-date=August 21, 2024 |access-date=September 23, 2024 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>

Rob Humanick of ''[[Slant Magazine]]'' called Mufasa a "badass father figure",<ref>{{Cite news |last=Humanick |first=Rob |date=September 12, 2011 |title=Review: The Lion King |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-lion-king-5750/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923134312/https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-lion-king-5750/ |archive-date=September 23, 2024 |access-date=September 23, 2024 |work=[[Slant Magazine]]}}</ref> but the ''[[Ottawa Citizen]]''<nowiki/>'s Jay Stone found him [[Flat character|one-dimensional]].<ref name=":45" /> Jones received critical acclaim for his performance,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ayres |first=Tom |date=December 12, 2010 |title=Neeson 'ignored Lion King for Narnia' |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a292820/neeson-ignored-lion-king-for-narnia/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912030736/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a292820/neeson-ignored-lion-king-for-narnia/ |archive-date=September 12, 2024 |access-date=September 11, 2024 |work=[[Digital Spy]] |quote=the actor's acclaimed role as Mufasa in the 1994 animation The Lion King.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gupta |first=Manas Sen |date=September 10, 2024 |title=Forever Darth Vader: The best James Earl Jones movies according to IMDb |url=https://www.lifestyleasia.com/kl/entertainment/movies/best-movies-of-james-earl-jones-star-wars-field-of-dreams-lion-king/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923150644/https://www.lifestyleasia.com/kl/entertainment/movies/best-movies-of-james-earl-jones-star-wars-field-of-dreams-lion-king/ |archive-date=September 23, 2024 |access-date=September 18, 2024 |work=[[Lifestyle Asia]] |quote=Jones’ portrayal as the wise Mufasa in this Disney animated classic was very well-received.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Watkins |first=Matt |date=August 18, 2022 |title=Best Voice Performances in Disney Animated Movies, Ranked |url=https://movieweb.com/disney-animated-movies-voice-performances/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829185124/https://movieweb.com/disney-animated-movies-voice-performances/ |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |access-date=September 24, 2024 |work=[[MovieWeb]] |quote=his role as Simba’s wise father Mufasa in 1994’s The Lion King that remains one of his most applauded to this day.}}</ref> which Kaushal S. of [[Soap Central]] dubbed one of the most celebrated voice-acting performances from recent decades.<ref>{{Cite news |last=S. |first=Kaushal |date=September 10, 2024 |title=From Mufasa to Darth Vader: 7 most iconic James Earl Jones roles |url=https://www.soapcentral.com/entertainment/from-mufasa-darth-vader-7-iconic-james-earl-jones-roles |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913135713/https://www.soapcentral.com/entertainment/from-mufasa-darth-vader-7-iconic-james-earl-jones-roles |archive-date=September 13, 2024 |access-date=September 13, 2024 |work=[[Soap Central]]}}</ref> [[Digital Spy]]'s Simon Reynolds said Jones brought the character to life "brilliantly".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Reynolds |first=Simon |date=June 15, 2014 |title=Some words of wisdom from The Lion King's Mufasa for Father's Day |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a577697/some-words-of-wisdom-from-the-lion-kings-mufasa-for-fathers-day/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919192755/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a577697/some-words-of-wisdom-from-the-lion-kings-mufasa-for-fathers-day/ |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |access-date=September 19, 2024 |work=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref> Film critic [[David Sterritt]] called him a standout among the film's cast,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sterritt |first=David |author-link=David Sterritt |date=June 15, 1994 |title=Disney studio roars with `The Lion King' |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/1994/0615/15121.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821021050/https://www.csmonitor.com/1994/0615/15121.html |archive-date=August 21, 2024 |access-date=September 23, 2024 |work=[[The Christian Science Monitor]]}}</ref> while Kate Erbland of [[Film School Rejects]] called his casting "both strikingly great and thuddingly obvious".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Erbland |first=Kate |date=September 15, 2011 |title=Review: ‘The Lion King’ Makes Me Cry All Over Again in 3D |url=https://filmschoolrejects.com/reviews/review-the-lion-king-makes-me-cry-all-over-again-in-3d.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050828/https://filmschoolrejects.com/reviews/review-the-lion-king-makes-me-cry-all-over-again-in-3d.php |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=September 23, 2024 |work=[[Film School Rejects]]}}</ref> [[Turner Classic Movies]] said the actor's "distinct baritone was put to excellent use".<ref>{{Cite web |title=James Earl Jones – Biography |url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/96469%7C78522/James-Earl-Jones#biography |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110052024/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/96469%7C78522/James-Earl-Jones#biography |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |access-date=September 12, 2024 |website=[[Turner Classic Movies]]}}</ref> According to Daniel Carter of [[Beliefnet]], Jones's efforts resulted in "a beloved character that resonated with audiences worldwide".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carter |first=Daniel |date=September 9, 2024 |title=A Voice That Resonated Through Generations: Remembering James Earl Jones |url=https://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/foreverinourhearts/2024/09/a-voice-that-resonated-through-generations-remembering-james-earl-jones.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920170902/https://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/foreverinourhearts/2024/09/a-voice-that-resonated-through-generations-remembering-james-earl-jones.html |archive-date=September 20, 2024 |access-date=September 12, 2024 |work=[[Beliefnet]]}}</ref> According to Elizabeth Gregory of the ''[[Evening Standard]]'', Jones's voice stood out amidst a cast of great actors.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Gregory |first=Elizabeth |date=September 11, 2019 |title=James Earl Jones: the American actor's best films, from The Lion King to Star Wars |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/james-earl-jones-death-darth-vader-lion-king-b1181136.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920173623/https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/james-earl-jones-death-darth-vader-lion-king-b1181136.html |archive-date=September 20, 2024 |access-date=September 12, 2024 |work=[[Evening Standard]]}}</ref> João Gabriel de Lima of ''[[Veja (magazine)|Veja]]'' also called Jones the film's standout performance, writing that Mufasa would have been less majestic without Jones' contribution.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gabriel de Lima |first=João |date=July 6, 1994 |title=Drama na selva |url=https://veja.abril.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/VEJA-ED-1347.pdf |access-date=October 2, 2024 |work=[[Veja (magazine)|Veja]] |language=Portuguese}}</ref> Lex Pryor of ''[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]]'' said Jones outshone his co-stars in the remake, despite his limited screentime and dialogue.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pryor |first=Lex |date=September 11, 2024 |title=The Vast Universes of James Earl Jones’s Voice |url=https://www.theringer.com/pop-culture/2024/9/11/24241820/james-earl-jones-darth-vader-mufasa-cnn-voice-sandlot-field-of-dreams-death-obituary |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917142651/https://www.theringer.com/pop-culture/2024/9/11/24241820/james-earl-jones-darth-vader-mufasa-cnn-voice-sandlot-field-of-dreams-death-obituary |archive-date=September 17, 2024 |access-date=September 13, 2024 |work=[[The Ringer]]}}</ref> In a rare negative review, ''[[The Independent]]''<nowiki/>'s Anthony Quinn found Jones's performance "insufferable" and "portentous".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Quinn |first=Anthony |date=October 6, 2011 |title=The Lion King 3D (U) |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/the-lion-king-3d-u-2366567.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011023146/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/the-lion-king-3d-u-2366567.html |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |access-date=September 23, 2024 |work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref>

Several publications consider Mufasa to be one of Jones's greatest performances of his career.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=Outlaw |first=Kofi |date=September 9, 2024 |title=James Earl Jones: Remembering His Best Roles |url=https://comicbook.com/irl/news/james-earl-jones-obituary-remembering-best-roles-star-wars-lion-king/#1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919040654/https://comicbook.com/irl/news/james-earl-jones-obituary-remembering-best-roles-star-wars-lion-king/#1 |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |access-date=September 12, 2024 |work=[[ComicBook.com]]}}</ref><ref name=":37">{{Cite news |last=Murrian |first=Samuel R. |date=September 10, 2024 |title=The 10 Best James Earl Jones Movies, Ranked |url=https://collider.com/james-earl-jones-movies-best-ranked/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915122848/https://collider.com/james-earl-jones-movies-best-ranked/ |archive-date=September 15, 2024 |access-date=September 18, 2024 |work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |quote=The murder of Mufasa at the claws of Scar (Jeremy Irons), like the death of Bambi's mother many decades prior, is among the most upsetting moments in any family film (in any film, perhaps)}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite news |last=Ragusa |first=P. |date=September 9, 2024 |title=James Earl Jones' 10 Best Movie Roles |url=https://consequence.net/list/james-earl-jones-best-roles-list/the-lion-king |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913131732/https://consequence.net/list/james-earl-jones-best-roles-list/the-lion-king/ |archive-date=September 13, 2024 |access-date=September 13, 2024 |work=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]}}</ref><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite news |last1=O'Brien |first1=Tom |last2=Holland |first2=Misty |last3=Beachum |first3=Chris |date=September 9, 2024 |title=James Earl Jones movies: 10 greatest films ranked worst to best |url=https://www.goldderby.com/gallery/best-james-earl-jones-movies-ranked/james-earl-jones-movies-ranked-the-great-white-hope/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911194235/https://www.goldderby.com/gallery/best-james-earl-jones-movies-ranked/james-earl-jones-movies-ranked-the-great-white-hope/ |archive-date=September 11, 2024 |access-date=September 11, 2024 |work=[[GoldDerby]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Salerno |first=Lauren |date=September 10, 2024 |title='Legends never die': The James Earl Jones performances that shaped our lives |url=https://www.themarysue.com/best-james-earl-jones-movies-and-performances/ |access-date=September 11, 2024 |work=[[The Mary Sue]]}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite news |last=Oswal |first=Suhasini |date=September 10, 2024 |title=From Darth Vader to Mufasa: Remembering James Earl Jones' Top 10 Roles Amid His Death at 93 |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/hollywood/from-darth-vader-to-mufasa-remembering-james-earl-jones-top-10-roles-amid-his-death-at-93-1346996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913141051/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/hollywood/from-darth-vader-to-mufasa-remembering-james-earl-jones-top-10-roles-amid-his-death-at-93-1346996 |archive-date=September 13, 2024 |access-date=September 13, 2024 |work=[[Pinkvilla]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Weisholtz |first=Drew |date=September 10, 2024 |title=Remembering James Earl Jones' most memorable roles, from 'Star Wars' to 'The Lion King' |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/movies/james-earl-jones-filmography-rcna170362 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922233004/https://www.today.com/popculture/movies/james-earl-jones-filmography-rcna170362 |archive-date=September 22, 2024 |access-date=September 12, 2024 |work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]]}}</ref> Calling Mufasa one of "pop culture’s most imposing dads", Noel Murray of ''[[The New York Times]]'' said that "Few other performers of Jones’s era could have made characters so vivid while sitting in front of a microphone",<ref>{{Cite news |last=Murray |first=Noel |date=September 9, 2024 |title=12 Great Films of James Earl Jones |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/09/movies/james-earl-jones-streaming.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909223007/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/09/movies/james-earl-jones-streaming.html |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |access-date=September 12, 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> while P. Ragusa of ''[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]'' said the actor elevated the film's material, with his line delivery remaining "as poignant all these years later as it is necessary for the plot".<ref name=":7" /> ''[[Game Rant]]'' and ''[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire Australia]]'' ranked ''The Lion King'' his best performance.<ref name=":32">{{Cite news |last=Heath |first=David |date=September 11, 2024 |title=8 Most Iconic Performances by James Earl Jones |url=https://gamerant.com/most-iconic-performances-james-earl-jones/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912001030/https://gamerant.com/most-iconic-performances-james-earl-jones/ |archive-date=September 12, 2024 |access-date=September 11, 2024 |work=[[Game Rant]]}}</ref><ref name=":39">{{Cite news |last=Wingco |first=Tyler Dane |date=September 10, 2024 |title=Remembering James Earl Jones’s best performances, from ‘Star Wars’ to ‘The Lion King’ |url=https://www.esquire.com.au/culture/james-earl-jones-darth-vader-voice/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919010547/https://www.esquire.com.au/culture/james-earl-jones-darth-vader-voice/ |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |access-date=September 18, 2024 |work=[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire Australia]] |quote=a death ... that traumatised baby Millennials the world over the same way the death of Bambi’s mother did for Boomers.}}</ref> Mary Kate Carr of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' said the actor "imbued the character with such dignity and distinction", to the point where he speaks the film's most iconic lines.<ref name=":12" /> Wilson Chapman of [[IndieWire]] said "Few actors have ever been better suited for a voice role than Jones was for Mufasa", calling the actor equally effective during his quieter moments parenting Simba.<ref name=":22" /> According to ''Paste'', ''The Lion King'' is the actor's six-best movie.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dunaway |first=Michael |date=September 10, 2024 |title=The Best James Earl Jones Movies |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/james-earl-jones/best-james-earl-jones-movies |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913185253/https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/james-earl-jones/best-james-earl-jones-movies |archive-date=September 13, 2024 |access-date=September 18, 2024 |work=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]}}</ref> [[Pinkvilla]]'s Suhasini Oswal wrote that his "performance defined the character's regal and compassionate nature, cementing his place in the hearts of generations".<ref name=":8" />

Line 59 ⟶ 64:

=== Legacy and commendations ===

In 2014, Camille Dautrich of the ''[[Springfield News-Leader]]'' described Mufasa as one "of the world's most beloved animated characters".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dautrich |first=Camille |date=March 26, 2014 |title=Ozarks sculptor shapes Hollywood animated characters |url=https://www.news-leader.com/story/entertainment/weekend/2014/03/27/ozarks-sculptor-shapes-hollywood-animated-characters/6882409/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223164224/https://www.news-leader.com/story/entertainment/weekend/2014/03/27/ozarks-sculptor-shapes-hollywood-animated-characters/6882409/ |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |access-date=September 12, 2024 |work=[[Springfield News-Leader]]}}</ref> Reporting for ''[[Good Morning America]]'', Nicole Pelletiere reported thatsaid his wisdom and legacy endeared him to Disney fans.<ref name=":44">{{Cite news |last=Pelletiere |first=Nicole |date=June 12, 2018 |title=10 fictional dads who will forever have our hearts |url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/family/story/10-fictional-dads-forever-hearts-55804855 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920125057/https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/family/story/10-fictional-dads-forever-hearts-55804855 |archive-date=September 20, 2024 |access-date=September 20, 2024 |work=[[Good Morning America]]}}</ref> Mufasa has been described by several publications as one of the greatest fathers to have appeared on film,<ref>{{Cite news |title=A Tribute to the Greatest Movie Dads of All Time |url=https://qat.voxcinemas.com/ar/vox-voice/fathers-day |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917161306/https://qat.voxcinemas.com/ar/vox-voice/fathers-day |archive-date=September 17, 2024 |access-date=September 17, 2024 |work=[[VOX Cinemas]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bui |first=Hoai-Tran |date=June 21, 2015 |title=The 5 best and worst TV and movie dads |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2015/06/21/the-5-best-and-worst-tv-and-movie-dads-fathers-day/77521594/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308064624/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2015/06/21/the-5-best-and-worst-tv-and-movie-dads-fathers-day/77521594/ |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |access-date=September 17, 2024 |work=[[USA Today]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=7 Greatest Dads in Cinema |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/ampstories/web-stories/7-greatest-dads-in-cinema |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416233134/https://www.filmcompanion.in/ampstories/web-stories/7-greatest-dads-in-cinema |archive-date=April 16, 2024 |access-date=September 19, 2024 |work=[[Film Companion]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Cannon |first=Dylan |date=June 11, 2014 |title=4 uplifting movie fathers |url=https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/2014/06/12/4-uplifting-movie-fathers/47932015/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919155742/https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/2014/06/12/4-uplifting-movie-fathers/47932015/ |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |access-date=September 19, 2024 |work=[[The Herald-Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Cannon |first=Dylan |date=June 11, 2014 |title=Great movie dads for Father's Day |url=https://www.ksl.com/article/30254800/great-movie-dads-for-fathers-day |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919161113/https://www.ksl.com/article/30254800/great-movie-dads-for-fathers-day |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |access-date=September 19, 2024 |work=[[KSL News]]}}</ref><ref name=":44" /> with Zach Seemayer of ''[[Entertainment Tonight]]'' ranking him among "the 13 greatest fictional fathers in movie history",<ref>{{Cite news |last=Seemayer |first=Zach |date=June 21, 2015 |title=13 Fantastic Fictional Fathers From Film |url=https://www.etonline.com/movies/166559_13_fantastic_fictional_fathers_from_film |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920125046/https://www.etonline.com/movies/166559_13_fantastic_fictional_fathers_from_film |archive-date=September 20, 2024 |access-date=September 20, 2024 |work=[[Entertainment Tonight]]}}</ref> and ''[[Business Insider]]'' calling him one of the 19 "the best fictional dads of all time".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shaw |first=Gabbi |date=June 18, 2023 |title=19 of the best fictional dads of all time — and 10 of the worst |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/best-and-worst-fictional-dads-movies-tv-2021-6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920172414/https://www.businessinsider.com/best-and-worst-fictional-dads-movies-tv-2021-6 |archive-date=September 20, 2024 |access-date=September 20, 2024 |work=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref> Jeff Peterson of the ''[[Deseret News]]'' said the character "demonstrates the qualities of a good father, which, incidentally, are the same qualities needed for Simba to become a good ruler later on".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Peterson |first=Jeff |date=June 12, 2013 |title=10 of the best fathers from movie history |url=https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2013/6/13/20799463/best-movie-fictional-fathers/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919162042/https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2013/6/13/20799463/best-movie-fictional-fathers/ |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |access-date=September 19, 2024 |work=[[Deseret News]]}}</ref> In 2022, [[Indy100]] recognized Mufasa as one of the 100 greatest on-screen fathers,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Robinson |first=Breanna |last2=Baio |first2=Ariana |last3=Evans |first3=Greg |date=June 19, 2022 |title=The top 100 TV and movie Dads ever |url=https://www.indy100.com/showbiz/best-dads-fathers-tv-movies |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528042043/https://www.indy100.com/showbiz/best-dads-fathers-tv-movies |archive-date=May 28, 2023 |access-date=September 17, 2024 |work=[[Indy100]]}}</ref> and ''[[Euronews]]'' included him among the "The 12 best on-screen dads of all time".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carbonaro |first=Giulia |date=June 19, 2022 |title=Euroviews. Fathers Day: The 12 best on-screen dads of all time |url=https://www.euronews.com/culture/2022/06/19/fathers-day-the-12-best-on-screen-dads-of-all-time |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919200053/https://www.euronews.com/culture/2022/06/19/fathers-day-the-12-best-on-screen-dads-of-all-time |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |access-date=September 19, 2024 |work=[[Euronews]]}}</ref> Ranking him the best movie dad, Ryan Christian of [[MovieWeb]] described Mufasa as "one of the all-time greats" and "the standard against which all movie dads are judged".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Christian |first=Ryan |date=June 18, 2023 |title=Yet Another List of Great Dads in Movies |url=https://movieweb.com/great-dads-in-movies/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917175559/https://movieweb.com/great-dads-in-movies/ |archive-date=September 17, 2024 |access-date=September 17, 2024 |work=[[MovieWeb]]}}</ref> ''[[GamesRadar+]]'' named the character the fifth greatest movie father figure.<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Callaghan |first=Lauren |date=June 6, 2017 |title=The 25 best movie dads who became great father figures |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/50-greatest-movie-dads/3/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919165737/https://www.gamesradar.com/50-greatest-movie-dads/3/ |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |access-date=September 19, 2024 |work=[[GamesRadar+]]}}</ref> ''[[The Daily Beast]]'' ranked him the sixth "coolest movie dad",<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stern |first=Marlow |date=April 21, 2017 |title=The 13 Coolest Movie Dads: 'Taken,' 'Star Wars,' 'Die Hard' and More |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-13-coolest-movie-dads-taken-star-wars-die-hard-and-more |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415010642/https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-13-coolest-movie-dads-taken-star-wars-die-hard-and-more |archive-date=April 15, 2024 |access-date=September 17, 2024 |work=[[The Daily Beast]]}}</ref> and Brian Tallerico of ''[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]'' declared Mufasa Disney's most iconic father.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tallerico |first=Brian |date=June 14, 2024 |title=The 15 Best Movies to Stream This Father’s Day |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/best-fathers-day-movies-streaming.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715165317/https://www.vulture.com/article/best-fathers-day-movies-streaming.html |archive-date=July 15, 2024 |access-date=September 14, 2024 |work=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]}}</ref> ''[[America (magazine)|America]]'' writer John Dougherty described Mufasa as "graceful and dignified, but also warm and playful—the ideal father".<ref name=":20">{{Cite news |last=Dougherty |first=John |date=September 11, 2024 |title=Remembering James Earl Jones: the voice of God, a father and a compelling villain |url=https://www.americamagazine.org/arts-culture/2024/09/11/james-earl-jones-obituary-248773 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914200450/https://www.americamagazine.org/arts-culture/2024/09/11/james-earl-jones-obituary-248773 |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |access-date=September 14, 2024 |work=[[America (magazine)|America]]}}</ref> Sandra Gonzalez of ''Entertainment Weekly'' selected ''The Lion King'' as the "one movie I’m going to watch on [[Father's Day|Father’s Day]]" due to Mufasa's love for Simba.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gonzalez |first=Sandra |date=June 17, 2012 |title=Father's Day: Which movie best honors YOUR dad? |url=https://ew.com/article/2012/06/17/fathers-day-movies/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917195601/https://ew.com/article/2012/06/17/fathers-day-movies/ |archive-date=September 17, 2024 |access-date=September 17, 2024 |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref>

''The Lion King''Mufasa was Jones's most famous animated performance,<ref name=":32" /> and one of the most popular roles of his career.<ref name=":5" /> The character is credited with introducing Jones to a younger generation of filmgoers.<ref name=":39" /><ref name=":19">{{Cite news |last=Goffe |first=Nadira |date=September 10, 2024 |title=James Earl Jones, Our On-Screen Father |url=https://slate.com/culture/2024/09/james-earl-jones-death-filmography-darth-vader-voice-mufasa-father.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913213951/https://slate.com/culture/2024/09/james-earl-jones-death-filmography-darth-vader-voice-mufasa-father.html |archive-date=September 13, 2024 |access-date=September 14, 2024 |work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |quote=Many of us will never forget watching Mufasa fall into that gorge amid a wildebeest stampede}}</ref> According to Emma Saunders of [[BBC Online]], he was "loved by millions for voicing Mufasa".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Saunders |first=Emma |date=September 9, 2024 |title=Tributes paid to acting 'giant' James Earl Jones |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c17g4g5ve5xo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923153049/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c17g4g5ve5xo |archive-date=September 23, 2024 |access-date=September 13, 2024 |work=[[BBC Online]]}}</ref> Carlos Morales of [[IGN]] called Mufasa "his second most famous role", after [[Darth Vader]] from the ''[[Star Wars]]'' franchise.<ref name=":42">{{Cite news |last=Morales |first=Carlos |date=September 10, 2024 |title=James Earl Jones' Voice Is the Only Reason the Most Iconic Villain in Movie History Exists |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/james-earl-jones-voice-acting-darth-vader-mufasa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922030303/https://www.ign.com/articles/james-earl-jones-voice-acting-darth-vader-mufasa |archive-date=September 22, 2024 |access-date=September 11, 2024 |work=[[IGN]]}}</ref> Comparing the two roles, Kofi Outlaw of [[ComicBook.com]] said that, with Mufasa, Jones successfully transitioned "from being a nightmare bad dad in ''Star Wars'', to being the dad every young cub (human or lion) wishes they had, in ''The Lion King'' (1994)".<ref name=":6" /> Peter Debruge of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' observed that which character Jones's voice reminds fans of varies dependingdepends on whether the listenerviewer was born before or after 1990.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Debruge |first=Peter |date=September 10, 2024 |title=How ‘Star Wars’ and ‘The Lion King’ Made James Earl Jones the Voice of Generations |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/columns/james-earl-jones-career-appreciation-darth-vader-mufasa-star-wars-lion-king-1236139223/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920184646/https://variety.com/2024/film/columns/james-earl-jones-career-appreciation-darth-vader-mufasa-star-wars-lion-king-1236139223/ |archive-date=September 20, 2024 |access-date=September 13, 2024 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> According to Morales, Jones's voiceover work in voice acting also "brought credibility to a type of acting that still struggles to be respected to this day".<ref name=":42" /> In 2019, [[The Walt Disney Company]] inducted Jones as a [[Disney Legends|Disney Legend]] in the "voice" category,<ref>{{Cite web |title=James Earl Jones |url=https://d23.com/walt-disney-legend/james-earl-jones/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223205132/https://d23.com/walt-disney-legend/james-earl-jones/ |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |access-date=September 12, 2024 |website=[[D23 (Disney)|D23]]}}</ref> for his "remarkable contributions to the Disney legacy".<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 16, 2019 |title=Meet the 2019 Disney Legends to Be Honored at D23 Expo |url=https://d23.com/2019-disney-legends/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319021110/https://d23.com/2019-disney-legends/ |archive-date=March 19, 2024 |access-date=September 12, 2024 |work=[[D23 (Disney)|D23]]}}</ref> Many celebrities shared tributes to Jones following the actor's death on September 9, 2024, several of whichwhom referenced ''The Lion King''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mier |first=Tomás |date=September 9, 2024 |title=Mark Hamill, Octavia Spencer, More Remember ‘Legendary’ James Earl Jones |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/james-earl-jones-celebrity-tributes-mark-hamill-octavia-spencer-1235098205/ |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909224110/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/james-earl-jones-celebrity-tributes-mark-hamill-octavia-spencer-1235098205/ |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |access-date=September 13, 2024 |work=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> [[Crystal Kung Minkoff]], a television personality and Minkoff's wife, posted a photo of Jones holding a Mufasa statuemaquette with the caption "Rest in Power, Mr Jones. You made a young animator’s dream come true when you accepted the role of Mufasa".<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 10, 2024 |title=Legendary actor James Earl Jones, memorable voice behind Darth Vader and Mufasa, passes away |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/english/news/2024/Sep/10/legendary-actor-james-earl-jones-memorable-voice-of-darth-vader-and-mufasa-passes-away |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913140558/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/english/news/2024/Sep/10/legendary-actor-james-earl-jones-memorable-voice-of-darth-vader-and-mufasa-passes-away |archive-date=September 13, 2024 |access-date=September 13, 2024 |work=[[Cinema Express]]}}</ref>

=== Death ===

Line 81 ⟶ 86:

</ref> with Radheyan Simonpillai of ''[[The Guardian]]'' writing in 2024 that it "still hurts 30 years later".<ref name=":13" /> The scene comprising Mufasa's death and Simba's gradual realization have been described as inseparable from ''The Lion King'' franchise.<ref name=":30" /><ref name=":40">{{Cite news |last=Conley |first=Nicholas |date=January 12, 2022 |title=The Saddest On-Screen Deaths That Shook Us To The Core |url=https://www.grunge.com/132373/the-saddest-on-screen-deaths-that-shook-us-to-the-core/?utm_source=google.com&utm_campaign=googlestory_fullstory |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919132149/https://www.grunge.com/132373/the-saddest-on-screen-deaths-that-shook-us-to-the-core/?utm_source=google.com&utm_campaign=googlestory_fullstory |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |access-date=September 19, 2024 |work=[[Grunge.com|Grunge]] |quote=These days, this sequence is so imprinted on society's collective memory that some have called it the most iconic death in film history}}</ref> [[Vanity Fair (magazine)|''Vanity Fair'']]''<nowiki/>'<nowiki/>''s Laura Bradley said his death "became the benchmark against which all future film tragedies would be measured", comparing its legacy to that of Bambi's mother.<ref name=":9">{{Cite news |last=Bradley |first=Laura |date=July 19, 2019 |title=Inside Mufasa’s Lion King Death Scene, a Tearjerker for the Ages |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/07/the-lion-king-original-vs-remake-mufasa-death-scene |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240623084130/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/07/the-lion-king-original-vs-remake-mufasa-death-scene |archive-date=June 23, 2024 |access-date=September 13, 2024 |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]}}</ref> Although death and violence had already been depicted in children's entertainment,<ref name=":27" /><ref name=":15" /> Alex Spencer of ''[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]'' reported that nothing released before 1994 rivaled Mufasa's impact.<ref name=":15">{{Cite news |last=Spencer |first=Alex |date=May 17, 2011 |title=Disney-Colored Death |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/disney-colored-death/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518234850/https://www.escapistmagazine.com/disney-colored-death/ |archive-date=May 18, 2024 |access-date=September 13, 2024 |work=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]}}</ref> Prior to Mufasa, deceased parents in Disney films had typically died or been killed off-screen.<ref name=":31" /><ref name=":41">{{Cite news |title=Most Shocking Movie Deaths – Mufasa in The Lion King (1994) |url=https://www.tribute.ca/news/photo-galleries/most-shocking-movie-deaths/mufasa-in-the-lion-king-1994/ |access-date=September 19, 2024 |work=[[Tribute.ca]] |quote=if you’re also part of Generation Y, none was more painful and shocking than Mufasa’s [death] in The Lion King}}</ref><ref name=":50">{{Cite news |date=December 16, 2014 |title=Kids' cartoons are 'hotbeds of murder and mayhem' |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/kids-cartoons-are-hotbeds-of-murder-and-mayhem-study-1.2150915/comments-7.590315/comments-7.590315/comments-7.590315 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925020908/https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/kids-cartoons-are-hotbeds-of-murder-and-mayhem-study-1.2150915/comments-7.590315/comments-7.590315/comments-7.590315 |archive-date=September 25, 2024 |access-date=September 24, 2024 |work=[[CTV News]]}}</ref> Joseph Heindl of ''Game Rant'' described it as "the other defining parental death in the Disney pantheon", after Bambi's mother,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Heindl |first=Joseph |date=September 6, 2022 |title=Every Parent That Has Died In A Disney Animated Movie |url=https://gamerant.com/disney-animated-movies-every-parent-death/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807190828/https://gamerant.com/disney-animated-movies-every-parent-death/ |archive-date=August 7, 2023 |access-date=September 17, 2024 |work=[[Game Rant]]}}</ref> and writers for [[Legacy.com]] said both murders "affected the children of their generations and the generations to follow".<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 24, 2015 |title=Saddest Fictional Deaths |url=https://www.legacy.com/news/celebrity-deaths/saddest-fictional-deaths/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925005706/https://www.legacy.com/news/celebrity-deaths/saddest-fictional-deaths/ |archive-date=September 25, 2024 |access-date=September 24, 2024 |work=[[Legacy.com]]}}</ref> Jonathan Allford of ''The Guardian'' theorized that few preceding or subsequent parental deaths in Disney films have been as emotionally devastating as Mufasa's, which he attributed to the character's benevolence and audience connection.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Allford |first=Jonathan |date=March 6, 2015 |title=The film that makes me cry: The Lion King |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2015/mar/06/the-film-that-makes-me-cry-the-lion-king |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917020117/https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2015/mar/06/the-film-that-makes-me-cry-the-lion-king |archive-date=September 17, 2024 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> Pediatrician and writer [[Perri Klass]] said Mufasa's death subverted the [[Roles of mothers in Disney media#Mother killed, died and/or captured|absent or dead mother trope in Disney films]] and embraced the "90's-style celebration of the involved dad", in contrast to Bambi's "archetypically distant" father.<ref name=":17" /> [[Collider (website)|Collider]]'s Diego Pineda Pacheco ranked it the second most heartbreaking death from a children's film, observing that any conversation regarding death in children's media is guaranteed to mention ''The Lion King''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pineda |first=Diego Pacheco |date=March 31, 2023 |title=10 Heartbreaking Character Deaths in Kids Movies We Still Can't Get Over |url=https://collider.com/heartbreaking-character-deaths-kids-movies/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723180629/https://collider.com/heartbreaking-character-deaths-kids-movies/ |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |access-date=September 19, 2024 |work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]}}</ref> Nadira Goffe of ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]'' said, as "one of the first and most visceral main-character deaths we would experience", Mufasa "traumatized an entire [[Demographic profile|age group]]".<ref name=":19" />

Several commentators have documented that Mufasa's death was particularly impactful on [[millennials]] who grew up in the 1990s,<ref name=":39" /><ref name=":31" /><ref name=":41" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 31, 2021 |title='Diabolically Adorable': 3-Year-Old's 'Lion King' Death Cake Goes Viral |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/diabolically-adorable-3-year-olds-mufasa-death-cake-goes-viral/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418024704/https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/diabolically-adorable-3-year-olds-mufasa-death-cake-goes-viral/ |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |access-date=September 24, 2024 |work=[[CBS News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lord |first=Emma |date=April 14, 2015 |title=Toddler Crying For Mufasa Is All Of Us In The '90s |url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/76267-this-little-girl-crying-over-mufasas-death-in-the-lion-king-is-all-of-us-in |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601213313/https://www.bustle.com/articles/76267-this-little-girl-crying-over-mufasas-death-in-the-lion-king-is-all-of-us-in |archive-date=June 1, 2023 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Thompson |first=Eliza |date=June 8, 2015 |title="Good Morning America" Ruins Mornings Everywhere With Dead Mufasa Tweet |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/movies/news/a41617/good-morning-america-dead-mufasa-tweet/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916191425/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/movies/news/a41617/good-morning-america-dead-mufasa-tweet/ |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=[[Cosmopolitan (magazine)|Cosmopolitan]] |quote=the deep trauma that scene caused for millions of '90s children.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Guha |first=Toonika |date=August 31, 2019 |title=Thoughts A Millennial Who Grew Up On ‘The Lion King’ Had While Watching The Live-Action Remake |url=https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/features/thoughts-a-millennial-who-grew-up-on-the-lion-king-had-while-watching-the-live-action-remake/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917024013/https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/features/thoughts-a-millennial-who-grew-up-on-the-lion-king-had-while-watching-the-live-action-remake/ |archive-date=September 17, 2024 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=Silverscreen India |quote=It has been a tear-jerker (especially for millennials) for over two decades.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rennex |first=Michelle |date=January 14, 2021 |title=Did Scar Actually Eat Mufasa In ‘The Lion King’? An Investigation |url=https://archive.junkee.com/scar-mufasa-lion-king-theory-tiktok/284984 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917025511/https://archive.junkee.com/scar-mufasa-lion-king-theory-tiktok/284984 |archive-date=September 17, 2024 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=[[Junkee]] |quote=For a lot of millennials, the stampede scene from the 1994 classic was the first truly horrifying thing any of us saw at a young age}}</ref><ref name=":38" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Fuster |first=Jeremy |last2=Eady |first2=Ashley |date=August 19, 2021 |title=‘Bambi’ and 13 Other Soul-Crushing Kid Movie Moments (Photos) |url=https://www.thewrap.com/bambi-soul-crushing-sad-kid-movie-moments/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606180033/https://www.thewrap.com/bambi-soul-crushing-sad-kid-movie-moments/ |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |access-date=September 24, 2024 |work=[[TheWrap]] |quote=Cue the sound of every ’90s kid’s heart breaking all over again}}</ref> with Rachel Paige of [[HelloGiggles]] saying that, to "a child of the 1990s", it stands above all other cinematic moments.<ref name=":29">{{Cite news |last=Paige |first=Rachel |date=August 29, 2017 |title=Mufasa’s death in a stampede was the only thing that never changed during the making of “The Lion King” |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/mufasa-death-stampede-only-thing-181000936.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916181735/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/mufasa-death-stampede-only-thing-181000936.html |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=[[HelloGiggles]] |via=[[Yahoo! Life]]}}</ref> Dougherty and Tyler Dane Wingco of ''Esquire Australia'' compared the phenomenon to the effect Bambi's mother had on [[baby boomers]].<ref name=":39" /><ref name=":31">{{Cite news |last=Dougherty |first=John |date=July 14, 2023 |title=Catholic Movie Club: How ‘The Lion King’ challenges us to accept the circle of life, death and loss |url=https://www.americamagazine.org/arts-culture/2023/07/14/lion-king-catholic-movie-245674 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914200450/https://www.americamagazine.org/arts-culture/2023/07/14/lion-king-catholic-movie-245674 |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=[[America (magazine)|America]]}}</ref> Writer [[Aisha Harris]] said "millennials ha[ve] never forgotten Mufasa, whose death served as their earliest encounter with the notion of losing a parent".<ref name=":53">{{Cite news |last=Harris |first=Aisha |author-link=Aisha Harris |date=July 17, 2019 |title=Chance the Rapper Really, Really Loves ‘The Lion King’ |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/17/movies/lion-king-2019-chance-the-rapper.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209145633/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/17/movies/lion-king-2019-chance-the-rapper.html |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> According to [[Hollywood.com]], Mufasa’s death was the aforementioned group's "first traumatizing cinematic event", and arguably many of their first times witnessing death.<ref name=":16">{{Cite news |date=June 24, 2014 |title=What ‘The Lion King’ Taught ’90s Kids About Death |url=https://www.hollywood.com/movies/what-the-lion-king-teaches-us-about-death-20th-anniversary-57099412-60227636 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914013544/https://www.hollywood.com/movies/what-the-lion-king-teaches-us-about-death-20th-anniversary-57099412-60227636 |archive-date=September 14, 2024 |access-date=September 13, 2024 |work=[[Hollywood.com]]}}</ref> The website also considers Mufasa the first time children confronted the reality that "the hero doesn’t always triumph", prior to whom cartoon heroes were typically spared at the [[Near-death experience|last minute]],<ref name=":16" /> whereas villains were often "punished" with death.<ref name=":50" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Nicholson |first=Michael |date=March 12, 2024 |title=“The Lion King”: How does this Disney classic hold up after almost 30 years? |url=https://elmhurstleader.com/stories/2024/03/the-lion-king-how-does-this-disney-classic-hold-up-after-almost-30-years/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925020910/https://elmhurstleader.com/stories/2024/03/the-lion-king-how-does-this-disney-classic-hold-up-after-almost-30-years/ |archive-date=September 25, 2024 |access-date=September 24, 2024 |work=[[Elmhurst University]]}}</ref> Dougherty, Hollywood.com, Marisa Mirabal of ''[[/Film]]'', and Elena Merenda of ''[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]]'' each credited the death with teaching 1990s children how to reconcile complicated emotions resulting from the death of a loved one.<ref name=":31" /><ref name=":16" /><ref name=":24" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Merenda |first=Elena |date=August 8, 2019 |title=What ‘The Lion King’ teaches us about children’s grief |url=https://theconversation.com/what-the-lion-king-teaches-us-about-childrens-grief-121544 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201071304/https://theconversation.com/what-the-lion-king-teaches-us-about-childrens-grief-121544 |archive-date=February 1, 2023 |access-date=September 19, 2024 |work=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]]}}</ref> For ''Consequence'', Dominick Mayer said the scene taught this generation "about death and mortality and the responsibilities that the living have to the dead they once loved", and declared it the most iconic part of the film.<ref name=":38">{{Cite news |last=Mayer |first=Dominick |date=November 17, 2014 |title=Ranking: The Disney Renaissance From Worst to Best |url=https://time.com/3590521/disney-renaissance/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415170325/https://time.com/3590521/disney-renaissance/ |archive-date=April 15, 2024 |access-date=September 18, 2024 |work=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]] |via=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref> Meanwhile, Panama Jackson of ''[[The Root (magazine)|The Root]]'' called Mufasa's death "one of the most significant deaths in the black community of all time".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jackson |first=Panama |date=November 26, 2018 |title=So Disney Just Gon' Kill Mufasa Again for a Whole New Generation of Kids with This The Lion King Live-Action Remake, Huh? |url=https://www.theroot.com/so-disney-just-gon-kill-mufasa-again-for-a-whole-new-ge-1830659407 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920141323/https://www.theroot.com/so-disney-just-gon-kill-mufasa-again-for-a-whole-new-ge-1830659407 |archive-date=September 20, 2024 |access-date=September 20, 2024 |work=[[The Root (magazine)|The Root]]}}</ref>

Scott Campbell of ''[[Far Out (website)|Far Out]]'' said that while Jones's performance "had already elevated Mufasa to iconic status", the character's death cemented him in "the minds of viewers everywhere", ranking him the eighth "saddest deaths in movie history".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Campbell |first=Scott |date=December 17, 2024 |title=The 10 saddest deaths in movie history |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-10-saddest-deaths-in-movie-history/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916135057/https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-10-saddest-deaths-in-movie-history/ |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=[[Far Out (website)|Far Out]]}}</ref> Readers of ''[[The Independent]]'' voted Mufasa "the most iconic death scene".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wyatt |first=Daisy |date=March 4, 2015 |title=Mufasa's demise in The Lion King tops poll of most iconic film death scenes |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/mufasa-s-death-in-the-lion-king-tops-poll-of-most-iconic-death-scenes-on-film-10085492.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913195439/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/mufasa-s-death-in-the-lion-king-tops-poll-of-most-iconic-death-scenes-on-film-10085492.html |archive-date=September 13, 2024 |access-date=September 13, 2024 |work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> [[IGN]] ranked Mufasa's death "Disney's Most Traumatic Movie Moment", with author Lucy O'Brien writing that "a little bit of innocence in every child watching withered away forever".<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Brien |first=Lucy |date=November 29, 2013 |title=Disney's Most Traumatic Movie Moments |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/11/25/disneys-most-traumatic-movie-moments |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125115105/https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/11/25/disneys-most-traumatic-movie-moments |archive-date=January 25, 2022 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=[[IGN]]}}</ref> Despite ranking it the third most powerful animated death, ''Entertainment Weekly''<nowiki/>'s Jonathan W. Gray called it arguably "the most impactful death on this list".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gray |first=Jonathan W. |date=October 19, 2012 |title=10 Powerful Animated Deaths |url=https://ew.com/gallery/10-powerful-animated-deaths/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525011239/https://ew.com/gallery/10-powerful-animated-deaths/ |archive-date=May 25, 2023 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> [[Best Life (magazine)|''Best Life'']] ranked it the 16th all-time saddest movie death.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Young |first=Sage |date=May 16, 2024 |title=The Saddest Movie Deaths of All Time |url=https://bestlifeonline.com/most-heartbreaking-movie-deaths/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520012755/https://bestlifeonline.com/most-heartbreaking-movie-deaths/ |archive-date=May 20, 2024 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=[[Best Life (magazine)|Best Life]]}}</ref>

=== In other media ===

To promote the release of ''The Lion King'', Mufasa began appearing in licensed merchandise by [[Disney Consumer Products]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Burbury |first=Rochelle |date=August 25, 1994 |title=The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/122385076/ |access-date=September 20, 2024 |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> Mufasa's likeness has been used in several ''Lion King'' tie-in media, including the PC game ''[[Disney's Animated Storybook: The Lion King]]'' (1994) and video game ''[[The Lion King: Simba's Mighty Adventure]]'' (2000).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mufasa Voice – The Lion King: Simba's Mighty Adventure (Video Game) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/The-Lion-King-Simbas-Mighty-Adventure/Mufasa/ |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mufasa Voice – The Lion King Animated Storybook (Video Game) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/The-Lion-King-Animated-StoryBook/Mufasa/ |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref> Outside of ''The Lion King'' franchise, the character has appeared in the television series ''[[Disney's House of Mouse]]'' (2001) and the video game ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'' (2006).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mufasa Voices (Lion King) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/The-Lion-King/Mufasa/ |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref>

To promote the release of ''The Lion King'' in 1994, Mufasa began appearing in a plethora of merchandise licensed by [[Disney Consumer Products]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Burbury |first=Rochelle |date=August 25, 1994 |title=The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/122385076/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002184402/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/122385076/ |archive-date=October 2, 2024 |access-date=September 20, 2024 |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> Mufasa's [[Personality rights|likeness]] has been used in several ''Lion King'' [[tie-in]] products and media, including the PC game ''[[Disney's Animated Storybook: The Lion King]]'' (1994) and console game ''[[The Lion King: Simba's Mighty Adventure]]'' (2000).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Soltesz |first=Diana |date=December 6, 1994 |title=Disney Software debuts first CD-ROM titles with "The Lion King" Animated Story Book and 'Aladdin' Activity Center |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/450076188?sourcetype=Wire%20Feeds |access-date=October 2, 2024 |work=[[PR Newswire]] |via=[[ProQuest]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mufasa Voice – The Lion King: Simba's Mighty Adventure (Video Game) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/The-Lion-King-Simbas-Mighty-Adventure/Mufasa/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330091336/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/The-Lion-King-Simbas-Mighty-Adventure/Mufasa/ |archive-date=March 30, 2022 |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mufasa Voice – The Lion King Animated Storybook (Video Game) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/The-Lion-King-Animated-StoryBook/Mufasa/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715032917/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/The-Lion-King-Animated-StoryBook/Mufasa/ |archive-date=July 15, 2024 |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref> In 2019, a [[Funko Pop!]] figurine was released to commemorate the remake, which ''[[Screen Rant]]'' ranked among "The 10 Best Disney Funko Pops".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sherlock |first=Ben |date=April 2, 2019 |title=The 10 Best Disney Funko Pops, Ranked |url=https://screenrant.com/disney-funko-pops-ranked/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408191604/https://screenrant.com/disney-funko-pops-ranked/ |archive-date=April 8, 2019 |access-date=October 3, 2024 |work=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref> In 1997, actor [[Samuel E. Wright]] originated the role of Mufasa on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] in the [[The Lion King (musical)|stage adaptation of the film]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yandoli |first=Krystie Lee |date=May 25, 2021 |title=Samuel E. Wright, The Voice Behind The Beloved “Little Mermaid” Character Sebastian, Has Died |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/krystieyandoli/samuel-wright-actor-obituary |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226223056/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/krystieyandoli/samuel-wright-actor-obituary |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |access-date=October 3, 2024 |work=[[BuzzFeed News]]}}</ref> Prior to ''The Lion King'', he had voiced [[Sebastian (The Little Mermaid)|Sebastian i]]<nowiki/>n Disney's ''[[The Little Mermaid (1989 film)|The Little Mermaid]]'' (1989).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Langer |first=Emily |date=June 9, 2021 |title=Samuel E Wright: Unforgettable voice behind Sebastian in ‘The Little Mermaid’ |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/samuel-wright-the-little-mermaid-b1858392.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707204321/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/samuel-wright-the-little-mermaid-b1858392.html |archive-date=July 7, 2022 |access-date=October 2, 2024 |work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mondello |first=Bob |author-link=Bob Mondello |date=May 26, 2021 |title=Samuel E. Wright, Voice Of Sebastian The Crab In 'The Little Mermaid,' Has Died |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/05/26/1000616854/samuel-e-wright-voice-of-sebastian-the-crab-in-the-little-mermaid-has-died |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726045828/https://www.npr.org/2021/05/26/1000616854/samuel-e-wright-voice-of-sebastian-the-crab-in-the-little-mermaid-has-died |archive-date=July 26, 2024 |access-date=October 3, 2024 |work=[[NPR]]}}</ref> Mufasa's role in the show was expanded with the addition of the songs "The Morning Report" and "[[They Live in You]]".<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Lion King Characters |url=https://www.thelionking.co.uk/the-lion-king-characters |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828191154/https://www.thelionking.co.uk/the-lion-king-characters |archive-date=August 28, 2024 |access-date=October 4, 2024 |website=The Lion King UK}}</ref> He was initially reluctant to audition, fearing it would be too similar to playing the [[Cowardly Lion]] from ''[[The Wizard of Oz]]'' (1939) or the [[Beast (Disney character)|Beast]] from ''[[Beauty and the Beast (1991 film)|Beauty and the Beast]]'' (1994), but relented once he was shown director [[Julie Taymor]]'s plans for the character's design and costume.<ref name=":55">{{Cite news |last=Pogrebin |first=Robin |author-link=Robin Pogrebin |date=August 17, 2001 |title=No Letup In a Lion Kingdom |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/17/movies/no-letup-in-a-lion-kingdom.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603081712/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/17/movies/no-letup-in-a-lion-kingdom.html |archive-date=June 3, 2021 |access-date=October 2, 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> He based his performance on [[Maasai people|Masai]] warriors who hunted lions, and learned to growl by researching lions at the [[Bronx Zoo]].<ref name=":55" /> He also received [[Physical therapy|physiotherapy]] regularly due to the physical demands of the role.<ref name=":55" /> Wright's performance received positive reviews from ''The New York Times'' and ''Variety'' theater critics.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brantley |first=Ben |author-link=Ben Brantley |date=November 14, 1997 |title=Theater Review; Cub Comes of Age: A Twice-Told Cosmic Tale |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/14/movies/theater-review-cub-comes-of-age-a-twice-told-cosmic-tale.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613205657/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/14/movies/theater-review-cub-comes-of-age-a-twice-told-cosmic-tale.html |archive-date=June 13, 2024 |access-date=October 3, 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Canby |first=Vincent |author-link=Vincent Canby |date=November 23, 1997 |title=SUNDAY VIEW; 'The Lion King' Earns Its Roars Of Approval |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/23/theater/sunday-view-the-lion-king-earns-its-roars-of-approval.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522145231/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/23/theater/sunday-view-the-lion-king-earns-its-roars-of-approval.html |archive-date=May 22, 2023 |access-date=October 3, 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Evans |first=Greg |date=November 13, 1997 |title=The Lion King (New Amsterdam Theater) |url=https://variety.com/1997/legit/reviews/the-lion-king-new-amsterdam-theater-1117339958/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210002831/https://variety.com/1997/legit/reviews/the-lion-king-new-amsterdam-theater-1117339958/ |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |access-date=October 3, 2024 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> In [[52nd Tony Awards|1998]], he was nominated for the [[Tony Awards|Tony Award]] for [[Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical|Best Featured Actor in a Musical]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morales |first=Christina |date=May 26, 2021 |title=Samuel E. Wright, the Voice of Sebastian in ‘The Little Mermaid,’ Dies at 72 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/26/arts/samuel-e-wright-dead-sebastian-little-mermaid-mufasa-lion-king.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123235250/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/26/arts/samuel-e-wright-dead-sebastian-little-mermaid-mufasa-lion-king.html |archive-date=November 23, 2023 |access-date=October 2, 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

In ''[[The Simpsons]]'' episode '"[['Round Springfield|Round Springfield]]" (1995), Mufasa appears in the clouds to [[Lisa Simpson]], alongside Darth Vader and Jones.<ref name=":49">{{Cite news |last=Sims |first=David |date=November 3, 2013 |title=The Simpsons (Classic): "'Round Springfield" |url=https://www.avclub.com/the-simpsons-classic-round-springfield-1798178541 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323154041/https://www.avclub.com/the-simpsons-classic-round-springfield-1798178541 |archive-date=March 23, 2023 |access-date=September 24, 2024 |work=[[The A.V. Club]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Schwarz |first=Hunter |date=April 17, 2015 |title=Ted Cruz loves ‘The Simpsons,’ but he botched his favorite quote |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/04/17/ted-cruz-loves-the-simpsons-but-he-botched-his-favorite-quote/ |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330000347/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/04/17/ted-cruz-loves-the-simpsons-but-he-botched-his-favorite-quote/ |archive-date=March 30, 2023 |access-date=September 24, 2024 |work=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> All three characters are voiced by ''Simpsons'' cast member [[Harry Shearer]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=King |first=Jack |date=September 11, 2024 |title=With James Earl Jones's Passing, a Legendary Simpsons Voice Falls Silent |url=https://www.gq.com/story/james-earl-jones-a-legendary-simpsons-voice-falls-silent |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924075319/https://www.gq.com/story/james-earl-jones-a-legendary-simpsons-voice-falls-silent |archive-date=September 24, 2024 |access-date=September 24, 2024 |work=[[GQ]]}}</ref> despite Jones himself having [[Guest appearance|guest starred]] on three earlier ''Simpsons'' episodes.<ref name=":49" /> In "Round Springfield", Mufasa mistakenly says the name “Kimba” before correcting himself to “Simba”, which is a reference to [[Kimba the White Lion#Claims of resemblance to The Lion King|allegations]] that ''The Lion King'' was inspired by the anime ''[[Kimba the White Lion (TV series)|Kimba the White Lion]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Woodrow |first=Ryan |date=July 28, 2023 |title=8 Times The Simpsons Referenced Anime |url=https://www.mensjournal.com/streaming/the-simpsons-anime-references#gid=ci02dd788bc0062554&pid=kimba-the-white-lion--round-springfield |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925125642/https://www.mensjournal.com/streaming/the-simpsons-anime-references#gid=ci02dd788bc0062554&pid=kimba-the-white-lion--round-springfield |archive-date=September 25, 2024 |access-date=September 24, 2024 |work=[[Men's Journal]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Chernoff |first=Scott |date=July 24, 2007 |title=I Bent My Wookiee! Celebrating the Star Wars/Simpsons Connection |url=http://starwars.com/community/news/media/f20070724/index.html?page=3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724223022/http://starwars.com/community/news/media/f20070724/index.html?page=3 |archive-date=July 24, 2011 |access-date=September 24, 2024 |work=[[StarWars.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Witiw |first=John |date=November 20, 2022 |title=10 Best Anime References In The Simpsons |url=https://www.cbr.com/simpsons-anime-references/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207115706/https://www.cbr.com/simpsons-anime-references/ |archive-date=December 7, 2022 |access-date=September 24, 2024 |work=[[Comic Book Resources]]}}</ref> [[Chance the Rapper]] has referenced Mufasa in several of his songs,<ref name=":53" /> including "I Am Very Very Lonely" (2014),<ref name=":54">{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Preezy |date=July 13, 2019 |title=From The Big Screen To Hip-Hop: 25 Rap Lyrics Referencing ‘The Lion King’ |url=https://www.vibe.com/features/editorial/lion-king-references-rap-lyrics-list-657531/ |access-date=October 2, 2024 |work=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]}}</ref> "[[Blessings (Chance the Rapper song)|Blessings]]" (2016) and "How Great" (2016).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Florio |first=Angelica |date=July 18, 2019 |title=Chance The Rapper Plays A Few ‘Lion King’ Characters, So Keep Your Ears Peeled |url=https://www.bustle.com/p/who-does-chance-the-rapper-play-in-the-lion-king-keep-your-ears-peeled-for-simbas-1-fan-18209485 |access-date=October 1, 2024 |work=[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]]}}</ref><ref name=":54" /> The rapper said he has always likened the character to his own father and claims Mufasa "was a lot of young black boys’ depiction of growing into manhood".<ref name=":53" /> He found himself self-identifying with Mufasa when he became a father.<ref name=":53" /> The character has also been [[Name-dropping|name-dropped]] in songs by hip hop artists [[Wu-Tang Clan]], [[Nicki Minaj]], [[Smino]], and [[Waka Flocka Flame]].<ref name=":54" />▼

▲Outside of ''The Lion King'' franchise, the character has appeared in the television series ''[[Disney's House of Mouse]]'' (2001) and the video game ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'' (2006).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mufasa Voices (Lion King) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/The-Lion-King/Mufasa/ |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mufasa |url=https://www.khinsider.com/characters/mufasa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504011837/https://www.khinsider.com/characters/mufasa |archive-date=May 4, 2023 |access-date=October 3, 2024 |website=Kingdom Hearts Insider}}</ref> In ''[[The Simpsons]]'' episode '"[['Round Springfield|Round Springfield]]" (1995), Mufasa appears in the clouds to [[Lisa Simpson]], alongside Darth Vader and Jones.<ref name=":49">{{Cite news |last=Sims |first=David |date=November 3, 2013 |title=The Simpsons (Classic): "'Round Springfield" |url=https://www.avclub.com/the-simpsons-classic-round-springfield-1798178541 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323154041/https://www.avclub.com/the-simpsons-classic-round-springfield-1798178541 |archive-date=March 23, 2023 |access-date=September 24, 2024 |work=[[The A.V. Club]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Schwarz |first=Hunter |date=April 17, 2015 |title=Ted Cruz loves ‘The Simpsons,’ but he botched his favorite quote |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/04/17/ted-cruz-loves-the-simpsons-but-he-botched-his-favorite-quote/ |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330000347/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/04/17/ted-cruz-loves-the-simpsons-but-he-botched-his-favorite-quote/ |archive-date=March 30, 2023 |access-date=September 24, 2024 |work=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> All three characters are voiced by ''Simpsons'' cast member [[Harry Shearer]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=King |first=Jack |date=September 11, 2024 |title=With James Earl Jones's Passing, a Legendary Simpsons Voice Falls Silent |url=https://www.gq.com/story/james-earl-jones-a-legendary-simpsons-voice-falls-silent |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924075319/https://www.gq.com/story/james-earl-jones-a-legendary-simpsons-voice-falls-silent |archive-date=September 24, 2024 |access-date=September 24, 2024 |work=[[GQ]]}}</ref> despite Jones himself having [[Guest appearance|guest starred]] on three earlier ''Simpsons'' episodes.<ref name=":49" /> In "Round Springfield", Mufasa mistakenly says the name “Kimba” before correcting himself to “Simba”, which is a reference toparodies [[Kimba the White Lion#Claims of resemblance to The Lion King|allegations]] that ''The Lion King'' was inspired by the anime ''[[Kimba the White Lion (TV series)|Kimba the White Lion]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Woodrow |first=Ryan |date=July 28, 2023 |title=8 Times The Simpsons Referenced Anime |url=https://www.mensjournal.com/streaming/the-simpsons-anime-references#gid=ci02dd788bc0062554&pid=kimba-the-white-lion--round-springfield |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925125642/https://www.mensjournal.com/streaming/the-simpsons-anime-references#gid=ci02dd788bc0062554&pid=kimba-the-white-lion--round-springfield |archive-date=September 25, 2024 |access-date=September 24, 2024 |work=[[Men's Journal]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Chernoff |first=Scott |date=July 24, 2007 |title=I Bent My Wookiee! Celebrating the Star Wars/Simpsons Connection |url=http://starwars.com/community/news/media/f20070724/index.html?page=3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724223022/http://starwars.com/community/news/media/f20070724/index.html?page=3 |archive-date=July 24, 2011 |access-date=September 24, 2024 |work=[[StarWars.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Witiw |first=John |date=November 20, 2022 |title=10 Best Anime References In The Simpsons |url=https://www.cbr.com/simpsons-anime-references/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207115706/https://www.cbr.com/simpsons-anime-references/ |archive-date=December 7, 2022 |access-date=September 24, 2024 |work=[[Comic Book Resources]]}}</ref> [[Chance the Rapper]] has referenced Mufasa in several of his songs,<ref name=":53" /> including "I Am Very Very Lonely" (2014),<ref name=":54">{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Preezy |date=July 13, 2019 |title=From The Big Screen To Hip-Hop: 25 Rap Lyrics Referencing ‘The Lion King’ |url=https://www.vibe.com/features/editorial/lion-king-references-rap-lyrics-list-657531/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508020732/https://www.vibe.com/features/editorial/lion-king-references-rap-lyrics-list-657531/ |archive-date=May 8, 2024 |access-date=October 2, 2024 |work=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]}}</ref> "[[Blessings (Chance the Rapper song)|Blessings]]" (2016), and "How Great" (2016).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Florio |first=Angelica |date=July 18, 2019 |title=Chance The Rapper Plays A Few ‘Lion King’ Characters, So Keep Your Ears Peeled |url=https://www.bustle.com/p/who-does-chance-the-rapper-play-in-the-lion-king-keep-your-ears-peeled-for-simbas-1-fan-18209485 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209145621/https://www.bustle.com/p/who-does-chance-the-rapper-play-in-the-lion-king-keep-your-ears-peeled-for-simbas-1-fan-18209485 |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |access-date=October 1, 2024 |work=[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]]}}</ref><ref name=":54" /> The rapper said he has always likened the character to his own father, and claims Mufasa "was a lot of young black boys’ depiction of growing into manhood".<ref name=":53" /> He found himself self-identifying with Mufasa whenonce he became a father himself.<ref name=":53" /> The character has also been [[Name-dropping|name-dropped]] in songs by [[Hip hop music|hip hop]] artists [[Wu-Tang Clan]], [[Nicki Minaj]], [[Smino]], and [[Waka Flocka Flame]].<ref name=":54" />

A prequel to the 2019 remake, ''[[Mufasa: The Lion King]]'', is scheduled to be released in 2024, and will center on Mufasa's childhood, friendships, relationships, and major events that ultimately lead to him becoming king of the Pride Lands.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mundhada |first=Tejas |date=September 11, 2024 |title='One Of My Greatest...': This Will Change The Way You See Aaron Pierre Taking Over the Mufasa Role from Late James Earl Jones |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/hollywood/one-of-my-greatest-this-will-change-the-way-you-see-aaron-pierre-taking-over-the-mufasa-role-from-late-james-earl-jones-1347293 |access-date=September 13, 2024 |work=[[Pinkvilla]]}}</ref>▼

▲A prequel to the 2019 remake, ''[[Mufasa: The Lion King]]'', is scheduled to be released in 2024, and will center on Mufasa's childhood, friendships, relationships, and major events that ultimately lead to him becoming king of the Pride Lands.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mundhada |first=Tejas |date=September 11, 2024 |title='One Of My Greatest...': This Will Change The Way You See Aaron Pierre Taking Over the Mufasa Role from Late James Earl Jones |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/hollywood/one-of-my-greatest-this-will-change-the-way-you-see-aaron-pierre-taking-over-the-mufasa-role-from-late-james-earl-jones-1347293 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240927145153/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/hollywood/one-of-my-greatest-this-will-change-the-way-you-see-aaron-pierre-taking-over-the-mufasa-role-from-late-james-earl-jones-1347293 |archive-date=September 27, 2024 |access-date=September 13, 2024 |work=[[Pinkvilla]]}}</ref>

== Notes ==

Line 108 ⟶ 114:

[[Category:The Lion King (franchise) characters]]

[[Category:Male characters in animated films]]

[[Category:Disney animated characters]]