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Mufasa (2019 film)
BigLovableChunkOfWarthogHere
"Do you see any other big, lovable chunk of warthog here?"
This article is about the character from the 2019 film.
You may be looking for the character from the 1994 film.


Mufasa (2019 film)
Physical information
Gender

Male

Species

Lion

Hair color

Gold

Eye color

Yellow

Biographical information
Also known as

   Dad (by Simba)
   His Royalness (by Zazu)
   The king (by Shenzi)

Status

Deceased

Residence

Pride Lands

Affiliations

   Great Kings of the Past
   Mufasa's pride
   Pride Landers
   Pride Lands monarchy

Titles

   Great King of the Past
   King of the Pride Lands

Relationship information
Family

Scar (brother)
Sarabi (mate)
Simba (son)
Nala (daughter-in-law)
Kiara (granddaughter)

Allies

Nala, Rafiki, Sarabi, Simba, Zazu, Scar (formerly)

Enemies

Azizi, Kamari, Scar, Shenzi

Mufasa: As king, I was most proud of one thing: having you as my son.
Simba: That was a long time ago.
Mufasa: No, Simba. That is forever.
—Mufasa's spirit reassures Simba[src]

Mufasa was a male lion. He was the king of Pride Rock who preceded Scar. He was the elder brother of Scar, and the mate of Sarabi, with whom he had a son, Simba.

After the birth of his son, Simba, Mufasa raised him to respect the Circle of Life and to embrace his role as the future king of the Pride Lands. Unbeknownst to Mufasa, Scar plotted to assassinate both him and Simba in order to usurp the throne. Scar enacted his plan in the form of a wildebeest stampede that endangered Simba's life. Though Mufasa was able to save his son, his attempts to scale the side of the gorge ended in Scar betraying him and throwing him to his death. Simba eventually found his father's body, and Scar convinced him that he was to blame for Mufasa's death. Ashamed, the cub fled the Pride Lands.

Years later, when Simba was a young adult, Mufasa's spirit appeared to him and implored him to return home and reclaim his birthright. Simba did so and learned in the process that Scar was to blame for Mufasa's death. After Scar's defeat and death, Simba ascended Pride Rock and took his place as the rightful king.

Biography[]

Early life[]

Mufasa: Don't turn your back on me, Scar.
Scar: Oh, no, Mufasa. Perhaps you shouldn't turn your back on me.
Mufasa: Is that a challenge?!
Scar: I wouldn't dream of challenging you...again.
—Mufasa and Scar[src]

Mufasa was born to the reigning monarch of the Pride Lands. He had a younger brother named Scar.

In their youth, both Mufasa and Scar fell in love with Sarabi. However, she chose Mufasa over Scar, which embittered the younger lion. At one point, Scar challenged Mufasa for the throne but failed. Even so, Mufasa refused to exile his brother due to their familial ties.

Mufasa and Sarabi eventually had a son, whom they named Simba.[1]

Simba's presentation[]

Sarabi and I didn't see you at the presentation of Simba.
―Mufasa confronts Scar, after Simba's presentation[src]
Lionking2019-animationscreencaps

Mufasa reprimands his brother, Scar, for being absent from Simba's presentation.

At Pride Rock, Mufasa and his mate, Sarabi, presented their newborn son, Simba, to their subjects.

After the ceremony, Mufasa and his majordomo, Zazu, confronted Scar for having missed the presentation. Scar lamented being second-in-line to the throne but made it clear that he would not challenge Mufasa's kingship again. As Scar slunk off, Zazu wondered why Mufasa refused to exile the younger lion, to which Mufasa said that they were brothers and that Scar had a right to live in the Pride Lands.[1]

Raising Simba[]

Simba, let me tell you something my father told me. Look at the stars. The Great Kings of the Past look down on us from those stars.
―Mufasa[src]

Months passed, and Simba grew into a lively cub. One morning, he awakened Mufasa to take him on patrol. Mufasa led him to the summit of Pride Rock, where he showed Simba his future kingdom. He encouraged Simba to protect his homeland and to think about what he could give rather than take. He also forbid his son to visit the Elephant Graveyard.

Lionking2019-animationscreencaps

Mufasa teaches Simba about the Circle of Life.

The two walked across the grasslands, and Mufasa taught Simba about the Circle of Life. Just then, Zazu showed up and delivered his morning report. As he droned on, Mufasa instructed Simba on how to pounce. After Simba pounced on Zazu, the hornbill fluttered off, only to return quickly with news that hyenas were hunting in the Pride Lands. Mufasa rushed off to deal with the incursion, leaving Simba to return home with Zazu.

Later, Mufasa journeyed to the Elephant Graveyard to save Simba and his friend, Nala, from the hyenas. He brought them back to the Pride Lands and reprimanded Simba for having deliberately disobeyed him. Then he taught Simba about the Great Kings of the Past and promised that he would always be there for him.[1]

Death[]

Scar! Help me!
―Mufasa, as he clings to the side of the gorge[src]
Lionking2019-animationscreencaps

Mufasa falls to his death.

The next day, Simba got trapped in a stampede that had been set off by Scar and his minions. Scar fetched Mufasa, who rushed to Simba's rescue. Though he managed to bear Simba to safety, he struggled to scale the side of the gorge. At the top, he encountered Scar and begged him for help. However, Scar simply stated, "Long live the king," and threw Mufasa to his death.

After Mufasa's fall, Simba found his body at the bottom of the gorge and mourned his death. Scar soon arrived and convinced Simba that he was to blame for the king's demise and that he should flee the Pride Lands in shame. Simba did as his uncle had instructed and only narrowly avoided being killed by Scar's hyena minions on his way out of the Pride Lands. Meanwhile, Scar became king and allowed the hyenas to turn the kingdom into a wasteland.[1]

Post-mortem[]

Simba: Please! Don't leave me again.
Mufasa: I never left you, and never will. Remember who you are. Remember.
—Mufasa and Simba, after the former appears as a spirit[src]

Years later, Mufasa appeared as a ghost to Simba, who was living in exile. He commanded his son to return to the Pride Lands and seize his birthright. When Simba did become king, Mufasa spoke a final "Remember," over his coronation.[1]

Physical appearance[]

Mufasa is strong! Like, way stronger than us.
Azizi[src]

Mufasa was a huge and muscular lion, with a powerful build, a large muzzle, a white chin, and an exceptionally thick brown mane. His coat was sleek and gold, his lips were black, and his eyes were yellow.[1]

Personality and traits[]

While others search for what they can take, a true king searches for what he can give.
―Mufasa[src]

According to Zazu, Mufasa was a headstrong cub who often got into trouble.

Lionking2019-animationscreencaps

Mufasa often asserted his authority over his brother, Scar.

As a full-grown lion, Mufasa was wise and noble, and respected the Circle of Life. Despite being the ruler of the Pride Lands, he never flaunted his status nor abused his authority over the other animals. He did not regard his kingdom as something he owned; rather, he believed that a true king should search for what he could give, not take.

Mufusa cared deeply for his family and was willing to risk his life for them. He was especially close to Simba, who was his pride and joy. Despite his soft side, Mufasa had a fierce temper that emerged whenever someone disrespected him or tried to harm his family. When enraged, he could be quite reckless and often rushed into danger without thinking. Even so, he was forgiving of his enemies, as he harbored no hatred of his estranged brother, Scar, despite the younger lion's hostility toward him. Mufasa still cared for Scar and refused to exile him, no matter how many times Scar disrespected him. This blinded Mufasa to Scar's true nature, which ultimately led to the king's downfall and death.[1]

Appearances[]

Trivia[]

  • Mufasa is the only character in the franchise whose voice actor reprised their role from the 1994 film for the 2019 remake.[2]
  • In the novelization, it is mentioned that Sarabi would sometimes question Mufasa on what had happened between him and Scar, but Mufasa would avoid the subject by speaking about the weather or the state of the pride.[4]
  • It has been reported that Mufasa's early life will be explored in the upcoming prequel to The Lion King.[5]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Revealed in Disney's The Lion King (2019). Written by Jeff Nathanson and directed by Jon Favreau. Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
  2. 2.0 2.1 James Earl Jones. IMDb. IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved on September 20, 2020.
  3. ‘The Lion King’ Prequel: Kelvin Harrison Jr. & Aaron Pierre To Lead Cast For Disney & Barry Jenkins. Deadline. Retrieved on August 26, 2021.
  4. Rudnick, Elizabeth. The Lion King: The Novelization (June 4, 2019). ISBN: 136803926X.
  5. Mike Fleming Jr. (September 29, 2020). 'The Lion King' Followup Set With 'Moonlight' Director Barry Jenkins To Helm For Walt Disney Studios. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved on September 29, 2020.
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