Mufasa: The Lion King
While I did like aspects ofMufasa: The Lion King, I am way more excited for Barry Jenkins' upcoming movie.
To me, Jenkins' directorial vision is one of the key reasons why the film really works visually, allowingMufasa’s story to make changes for the betterthat do not take away from the inherent nostalgia of the original.
Jenkins' ability to add so much complexity to an established property is why I am so excited to see more of his work, especially after seeing how easily he balances a variety of narratives.
BeforeMufasa,Jenkins' focus rested on dramas such asMoonlightandThe Fire Inside, earning one Best Director Oscar as he explored more character-driven narratives, each one focusing on some aspect of identity.Jenkins' new movieThe Natural Order, then, is set to capture those same nuances and combine them with his big-budget film experience fromMufasa.
If that is not enough to be excited over, Jenkins is set to highlight one rising star whose recent performances promise to only elevate this storyline further: Glen Powell.
Barry Jenkins Is Directing A Sci-Fi Thriller Starring Glen Powell
The Natural Order Is An Adaptation Of Matt Aldrich’s Unpublished Novel
After the success ofMufasa,Barry Jenkins is set to enter the sci-fi genre with Glen Powell, adding to both of their impressive careers so far.
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According toDeadline,Jenkins and Powell have signed on with Universal to adaptThe Natural Order,Matt Aldrich’s novel that tells the story of a pursuit for eternal life.This project was one the three had developed for a while before taking it to market, allowing Jenkins the chance to break into the sci-fi genre and for Aldrich to sell the rights to the film before the novel’s publication date.
Mufasa’s setting is one of the best aspects of the film because filmmakers were able to find a creative way to make it feel more realistic.
Powell’s list of films will include another sci-fi entry in the form of the upcoming Stephen King adaptationThe Running Man,but his talents have already been widely showcased.His roles inTwisters, Anyone But You,andHit Manall resulted in box office hits and, inHit Man’s case, weeks on Netflix’s top movie lists.Twisters, in fact, had the highest-grossing opening weekend for a natural disaster film ever.
Image via Disney
That success, combined with Jenkins' success withMufasa,which crossed $700 million at the box office, makes their movie collaboration all the more thrilling for audiences.
Barry Jenkins Next Movie Is Even More Exciting After Mufasa
Jenkins Gets To Show More Of His Own Style
Image via Disney
The anticipation behind this upcoming movie by Barry Jenkins has only heightened after his success withMufasa,as audiences will get the chance to see more of his own directorial style.
Even withMufasa’s stunning photorealistic animation and storyline, the film is still a remake, which carries the strict points a prequel needs to hit and limits elements of that narrative, possibly factoring intoMufasa’s mixed reviews.
Image via Disney
As a result,any part of a director’s individual style can get stifled in favor of keeping the franchise’s tone consistent.
Though it is an adaptation, Jenkins will have more freedom to explore the themes he has showcased so well before as well as new ones, since sci-fi lends itself to so many fascinating thematic avenues.
By contrast,Jenkins' new film will allow him to showcase more of the pop in of storytelling he is known for while also branching into a new genreof film for him.
Though it is an adaptation, Jenkins will have more freedom to explore the themes he has showcased so well before as well as new ones, since sci-fi lends itself to so many fascinating thematic avenues.
That will allow Jenkins to grow further afterMufasa: The Lion King,demonstrating more of his directorial skills and strong story creation.
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Mufasa: The Lion King explores the origins of the beloved character Mufasa, focusing on his youth as a lost cub who encounters Taka, a royal heir.
Their meeting initiates an epic journey of self-discovery and destiny, featuring a group of misfit companions navigating the challenges of their world.
