‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ roars to PH cinemas on December 18

FLOCKING to cinemas is one of the activities that won’t be out of a Filipino’s to-do list this Christmas season. 

Whether you come to theaters solo or plan a movie night with your loved ones, a good film is always a great way to celebrate the most festive month of the year, and we got a special movie recommendation for you!

Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King,” an animated musical drama film, is set to premiere in Philippine cinemas on December 18, Wednesday.

Directed by Oscar-winning director Barry Jenkins, “Mufasa: The Lion King” narrates the origin story of Mufasa, an orphaned cub who becomes the Pride Land’s greatest king. He works together with a “sympathetic” lion named Taka, the heir to a royal bloodline, in fighting a “threatening and deadly foe.”

The forthcoming movie features the voices of familiar and new talents, including Donald Glover and Beyoncè Knowles-Carter, who will reprise their roles as Simba and Nala, respectively. 

Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen will also return as the hilarious duo Timon and Pumbaa who befriended Simba when he was a cub.

They will also be joined by Aaron Pierre as young Mufasa, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka who will eventually become Scar, and Beyonce’s daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, as Kiara. This marks Blue’s debut in a big-screen project.

On Instagram, Beyoncè, named the “greatest pop star of the 21st century,” congratulated her daughter on her film debut, stressing that her hard work finally paid off.

“You worked hard and you did such a beautiful job as the voice of Kiara. Your family could not be prouder. Keep shining,” the singer-songwriter wrote.

Meanwhile, Filipino cinephiles can now purchase advance tickets to “Mufasa: The Lion King.”

Original soundtracks

Before its Philippine premiere, Walt Disney Records said it would release the original motion picture soundtrack for “Mufasa: The Lion King” on December 13. 

It will be available in two versions: songs-only and deluxe, featuring original compositions by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who is behind the Broadway musical “Hamilton” and the soundtracks for Disney’s animated films “Moana” and “Encanto.”

He joined forces with composers Mark Mancina and Grammy Award winner and Walt Disney Music President Tom MacDougall in telling Mufasa’s journey through the following tracks:

• “Ngomso” performed by Lebo M
• “Milele” performed by Anika Noni Rose and Keith David
• “I Always Wanted A Brother” performed by Braelyn Rankins, Theo Somulo, Aaron Pierre, and Kelvin Harrison, Jr.
• “Bye Bye” performed by Mads Mikkelsen, Joanna Jones, and Folake Olowofoyeku
• “We Go Together” performed by Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Tiffany Boone, Preston Nyman, and Kagiso Lediga
• “Tell Me It’s You” performed by Aaron Pierre and Tiffany Boone
• “Brother Betrayed” performed by Kelvin Harrison Jr.

“‘The Lion King’ has an incredible musical legacy with music from some of the greatest songwriters around, and I’m humbled and proud to be a part of it,” Miranda said in a press statement.

“It’s been a joy working alongside Barry Jenkins to bring Mufasa’s story to life, and we can’t wait for audiences to experience this film in theaters,” he added.

“Mufasa: The Lion King’s” soundtrack is now available for pre-order.