Mufasa (2019 film) | |
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Physical information | |
Gender |
Male |
Species | |
Eye color |
Yellow |
Biographical information | |
Also known as | |
Status |
Deceased |
Residence | |
Affiliations |
• Great Kings of the Past |
Titles |
• Great King of the Past |
Relationship information | |
Family |
Scar (brother) † |
Enemies |
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Mufasa is a male lion. He is the brother of Scar and the mate of Sarabi, with whom he has a son: Simba.
Mufasa is the king of the Pride Lands. He takes Sarabi as his queen, and they have a son, Simba. After Simba's presentation, Mufasa confronts his brother, Scar, who was absent from the ceremony. Scar, being jealous of Simba's title as future king, shows no remorse for his absence, and he stalks away. As the time passes, Simba grows into a healthy young cub. One day, Mufasa takes Simba on a patrol of the Pride Lands, teaching his son about the Circle of Life as they walk. Later that morning, however, Zazu reports that a group of hyenas have entered the Pride Lands, and Mufasa departs to handle the situation.
Some time later, Scar alerts Mufasa to the fact that Simba is trapped amidst a wildebeest stampede in the gorge. Mufasa rushes to his son's aid and manages to rescue him, placing him on the gorge's side, but he himself is swept away by the stampeding herd. Mufasa manages to climb his way up to the rim of the gorge, and Scar meets him at the top. Mufasa pleads with his brother to help him, but instead, Scar hits Mufasa in the face, causing him to lose hold and fall to his death.
Years later, the spirit of Mufasa appears to a now-grown Simba, urging him to take his rightful place as king of the Pride Lands. After Simba returns to Pride Rock, Mufasa's spirit speaks a final "Remember" over Simba's coronation.
Biography
Early life
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Mufasa is the older brother of Scar. In their youth, both Mufasa and Scar fell in love with Sarabi. However, she chose Mufasa over Scar. Scar challenged his brother for the throne as well, but he failed. Despite the challenge, Mufasa declined to exile Scar from the Pride Lands due to their brotherly ties.[1]
Birth of Simba
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At Pride Rock, Mufasa and his mate Sarabi present their newborn son, Simba, to their subjects.
After the ceremony, Mufasa shows up with his steward, Zazu, and confronts his younger brother, Scar, for missing the presentation. Scar laments being second-in-line behind Simba, but makes it clear that he will not challenge Mufasa's kingship again. As Scar slinks off, Zazu wonders why Mufasa refuses to run Scar off, to which Mufasa says that they are brothers and that Scar has a right to live in the Pride Lands.[1]
Teaching Simba
Months pass, with Simba growing into a lively cub. One morning, he awakens Mufasa to take him on patrol. Mufasa leads him to the peak of Pride Rock, where he shows Simba his future kingdom. He encourages Simba to protect his homeland and to think about what he can give rather than take. He forbids his son to visit the place of shadows.
The two walk across the grasslands, and Mufasa teaches Simba about the Circle of Life. Just then, Zazu shows up and delivers his morning report. As he drones on, Mufasa instructs Simba in a pouncing lesson. Zazu flutters off, only to return quickly with news that hyenas are hunting in the Pride Lands. Mufasa rushes off to deal with the incursion, leaving Simba to return home.
Later, Mufasa journeys to the Elephant Graveyard to save his son and his friend Nala from the hyenas. He brings them back to the Pride Lands and reprimands Simba for deliberately disobeying him. Then he teaches Simba about the Great Kings of the Past and promises that he will always be there for him.[1]
Death
The next day, Simba gets trapped in a stampede, and Mufasa rushes to rescue him. However, though he manages to bear Simba to safety, he has a hard time climbing up the side of the gorge. At the top, he encounters Scar, who heaves him to his death.
Simba mourns his father’s death and flees the Pride Lands in shame. Meanwhile, Scar becomes king and allows the hyenas to turn the kingdom into a wasteland.[1]
Post-mortem
Years later, Mufasa appears as a ghost to Simba, who is living in exile. He commands his son to return to the Pride Lands and seize his birthright. When Simba does become king, Mufasa speaks a final "Remember," over his coronation.[1]
Physical appearance
Mufusa is a huge and muscular male lion with a powerful build, a large muzzle with a white chin, and an exceptionally thick mane that is dark brown at the back and light brown at the front. His short, sleek coat is gold, his lips are black, and his eyes are yellow.[1]
Personality and traits
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It is noted by Zazu that when Mufasa was a cub, he was headstrong and tended to get into trouble like his son, Simba.
As a full-grown lion, Mufasa is wise and noble. He respects and values all aspects of nature. Despite being the ruler of the Pride Lands, Mufasa never flaunts his status nor abuses his authority. He does not regard his kingdom as something he owns, but rather the home that he must protect along with his subjects. He is not interested in subjugating any other land, believing that a true king must search for what he can give for those in need.
Mufusa cares deeply for his family and is willing to risk his own life for them. He is especially close to Simba, who is his pride and joy, and having Simba as his son is something that makes Mufasa proud. While he is brave, Mufasa has a fierce temper that easily emerges whenever someone disrespects him or tries to harm his family. When he gets enraged, he can be quite reckless, rushing into danger without thinking. Despite this, he is also forgiving, as he holds no hatred for his estranged brother, Scar, who challenged him for the throne once. Mufasa still cares for him and refuses to exile him, no matter how many times Scar disrespects him. Unfortunately, this makes Mufasa blind to Scar's true nature. While Mufasa is aware that his younger brother dislikes him, he does not understand Scar's true murderous intentions, which ultimately leads to Mufasa's downfall and death.[1]
Trivia
- Mufasa is voiced by James Earl Jones.[2]
- This makes Mufasa the only character in the 2019 remake to have the same voice actor as in the original film.[3][4]
- In the novelization, it's revealed that whenever Sarabi asked Mufasa about what happened between him and Scar, Mufasa always avoided the subject by speaking about the weather or the state of the pride.[5]
- It has been reported that Mufasa's early life will be explored in the upcoming prequel film to the 2019 remake.[6]
Appearances
- Cinestory Comic: The Lion King (2019 film)
- The Lion King
- The Lion King: The Book of the Film
- The Lion King: The Novelization
- The Lion King: The Official Movie Special
- Wild Schemes and Catastrophes
References
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