The Roar Of A New Era: Complete Cast Guide For 'The Lion King' 2019, Broadway, And The Upcoming 'Mufasa' Prequel

The Lion King remains one of Disney's most enduring and profitable franchises, spanning from the 1994 animated classic to the groundbreaking 2019 photorealistic remake and the globally celebrated Broadway musical. As of today, December 18, 2025, the conversation around the "cast in The Lion King" is more vibrant than ever, driven by the highly anticipated prequel, Mufasa: The Lion King, which introduces a fresh ensemble of voices to the Pride Lands lore.

This deep dive provides the most current and comprehensive look at the talent behind the iconic characters, covering the principal actors from the 2019 film, the new stars of the upcoming prequel, and the long-running cast of the Broadway production. The latest casting announcements for Mufasa ensure this information is as fresh and unique as the dawn over Pride Rock, giving fans a complete picture of who is bringing the beloved story to life across different mediums.

The Star-Studded Cast of The Lion King (2019)

The 2019 photorealistic animated film, directed by Jon Favreau, brought a unique blend of A-list celebrities and seasoned voice actors to the savanna. The ensemble cast was a major talking point, featuring global music icons and acclaimed dramatic actors, all of whom delivered memorable performances that honored the original film while establishing a new visual standard for the franchise.

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The core voice cast for the 2019 film included:

• Simba: Donald Glover (Adult) / JD McCrary (Young)
• Nala: Beyoncé Knowles-Carter (Adult) / Shahadi Wright Joseph (Young)
• Mufasa: James Earl Jones
• Scar: Chiwetel Ejiofor
• Timon: Billy Eichner
• Pumbaa: Seth Rogen
• Rafiki: John Kani
• Zazu: John Oliver
• Sarabi: Alfre Woodard
• Shenzi: Florence Kasumba
• Kamari: Keegan-Michael Key
• Azizi: Eric André

The Legacy of James Earl Jones and the New Generation

One of the most significant casting decisions was the return of James Earl Jones as Mufasa, reprising his role from the 1994 original. His deep, authoritative voice is synonymous with the character and provided a crucial link between the classic and the new adaptation. However, the 2019 film also introduced a new generation of talent, most notably Donald Glover and Beyoncé, whose involvement generated massive international buzz.

Introducing the New Voices: Mufasa: The Lion King Prequel Cast

The most current and exciting development in the franchise is the upcoming prequel, Mufasa: The Lion King, set for release in late 2024. The film, directed by Barry Jenkins, explores the origin story of Mufasa and his brother Taka (who later becomes Scar). This project required an entirely new principal cast to portray the younger versions of the iconic characters, promising a fresh take on the Pride Lands narrative.

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The confirmed new and returning voice cast for the prequel includes:

• Mufasa: Aaron Pierre
• Taka (Young Scar): Kelvin Harrison Jr.
• Sarabi: Tiffany Boone
• Young Rafiki: Kagiso Lediga
• Young Zazu: Preston Nyman
• Kiros (New Character): Mads Mikkelsen
• Eshe (New Character): Thandiwe Newton
• Obasi (New Character): Lennie James
• Returning Timon: Billy Eichner
• Returning Pumbaa: Seth Rogen
• Returning Rafiki: John Kani
• Returning Simba: Donald Glover
• Returning Nala: Beyoncé Knowles-Carter

New Cast Member Spotlight: Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr.

The casting of Aaron Pierre as Mufasa and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka (Scar) is central to the prequel's success. Aaron Pierre, known for his work in projects like The Underground Railroad, brings a powerful, yet youthful gravitas to the role of the orphaned lion who rises to become king. Kelvin Harrison Jr. is set to explore the complexities of Taka's character before his descent into villainy, providing a deeper understanding of the relationship between the two brothers.

The inclusion of new characters like Kiros, Eshe, and Obasi, voiced by respected actors such as Mads Mikkelsen and Thandiwe Newton, suggests a significant expansion of the Lion King universe's mythology and a richer backstory for the Pride Lands.

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The Enduring Cast of The Lion King on Broadway

Beyond the film adaptations, The Lion King musical remains a theatrical powerhouse, celebrated for its unique puppetry and staging. The Broadway production, which opened in 1997, features a constantly evolving cast, but certain actors hold principal roles for years, becoming synonymous with their characters.

The current principal cast on Broadway (as of late 2024/early 2025) exemplifies the talent keeping the show fresh for a new generation of theatergoers:

• Scar: Gavin Lee
• Rafiki: Tshidi Manye or Ntsepa Pitjeng-Molebatsi
• Mufasa: L. Steven Taylor
• Zazu: Blakely Slaybaugh
• Pumbaa: Ben Jeffrey
• Timon: Fred Berman
• Simba: Brandon A. McCall
• Nala: Pearl Khwezi

Key Broadway Figures and Their Impact

Actors like L. Steven Taylor, who has played Mufasa for many years, and Tshidi Manye or Ntsepa Pitjeng-Molebatsi, who deliver the iconic opening as Rafiki, are the backbone of the live show. The casting of Gavin Lee as Scar, a notable West End and Broadway veteran, ensures the villain maintains his theatrical menace. The Broadway cast is a testament to the show's incredible longevity, with performers often stepping into understudy roles (u/s) before taking on the main parts, reflecting a deep commitment to the Lion King's theatrical legacy.

Topical Authority and Key Entities in The Lion King Universe

The enduring success of The Lion King is built upon a foundation of compelling characters and a rich narrative. Understanding the key entities and the actors who portray them is essential for any fan. The continuous casting of new talent for both the stage and screen ensures the story remains relevant and engaging for decades.

Entities and LSI Keywords relevant to the cast and universe:

• Donald Glover (Simba)
• Beyoncé Knowles-Carter (Nala)
• James Earl Jones (Mufasa's Original Voice)
• Chiwetel Ejiofor (Scar 2019)
• Aaron Pierre (Mufasa Prequel)
• Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Taka/Scar Prequel)
• Seth Rogen (Pumbaa)
• Billy Eichner (Timon)
• Jon Favreau (2019 Film Director)
• Barry Jenkins (Mufasa Prequel Director)
• Hans Zimmer (Composer)
• Pride Lands (Setting)
• Circle of Life (Theme Song)
• Hakuna Matata (Catchphrase)
• Mads Mikkelsen (Kiros)
• Tiffany Boone (Sarabi Prequel)
• Broadway Musical (Theatrical Production)
• Photorealistic Animation (2019 Film Style)
• Disney Live-Action Remake (Franchise Type)
• Gavin Lee (Broadway Scar)
• L. Steven Taylor (Broadway Mufasa)
• Tshidi Manye (Broadway Rafiki)
• Simba's Pride (Sequel Theme)
• Prequel Storyline (Mufasa Film Genre)
• Voice Acting (Performance Medium)
• Disney Renaissance (Original Film Era)

From the legendary voice of James Earl Jones to the fresh, dynamic performances of Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. in the upcoming prequel, the cast of The Lion King across all its iterations represents a seamless blend of Hollywood royalty and theatrical excellence. This continuous infusion of new talent is what keeps the story of the Pride Lands roaring into the future, guaranteeing its place as a timeless cinematic and theatrical masterpiece.