The Roar Of Generations: A Complete Look At All 3 'The Lion King' Movie Casts (1994, 2019, & 2024)

The Lion King is a timeless Disney masterpiece, a story of destiny, betrayal, and redemption that has captivated audiences for decades. What truly brings the savanna of Pride Rock to life, however, is the incredible talent behind the voices—a legacy that spans three major cinematic productions: the 1994 animated classic, the 2019 photorealistic animated film, and the highly anticipated 2024 prequel, *Mufasa: The Lion King*.

As of this current date, December 18, 2025, the casting announcements for the upcoming prequel have generated immense excitement, signaling a new era for the Pride Lands narrative. We’re taking a deep dive into the legendary actors who have voiced Simba, Mufasa, Scar, and the beloved duo Timon and Pumbaa, tracing the evolution of the cast across these monumental films and highlighting the fresh voices joining the kingdom.

The Original Pride: Voice Actors of The Lion King (1994)

The 1994 original is considered a pinnacle of Disney animation, and its success is inextricably linked to its iconic voice cast. These actors set the gold standard for their characters, creating performances that are still beloved today.

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• Mufasa: James Earl Jones. The undisputed king, Jones’s deep, resonant voice gave Mufasa an unparalleled authority and warmth. His performance is one of the most celebrated in animation history.
• Adult Simba: Matthew Broderick. Known for his roles in *Ferris Bueller's Day Off*, Broderick brought a charming, slightly anxious maturity to the adult Simba.
• Young Simba: Jonathan Taylor Thomas. A major teen idol at the time from *Home Improvement*, Thomas perfectly captured the playful, headstrong nature of the young prince.
• Scar: Jeremy Irons. Irons’s velvety, sinister voice delivered Scar's villainy with a Shakespearean gravitas, making him one of Disney's most memorable antagonists.
• Timon: Nathan Lane. The Broadway legend brought manic energy and perfect comic timing to the wisecracking meerkat.
• Pumbaa: Ernie Sabella. Sabella’s gentle, endearing voice made the warthog the heart of the "Hakuna Matata" philosophy.
• Adult Nala: Moira Kelly. Kelly voiced the fierce and loyal childhood friend who reminds Simba of his true place.
• Zazu: Rowan Atkinson. The *Mr. Bean* star provided the high-strung, fastidious royal advisor with a distinct British flair.

The synergy between this ensemble cast created the emotional depth and humor that turned *The Lion King* into a cultural phenomenon. Their voices are the soundtrack to a generation's childhood.

The Photorealistic Era: The Lion King (2019) Cast

Directed by Jon Favreau, the 2019 remake utilized groundbreaking photorealistic computer-generated animation to bring the world of Pride Rock to life in a stunningly realistic way. The casting was a strategic mix of returning legends and modern A-list talent, designed to appeal to a new global audience.

• Mufasa: James Earl Jones. In a rare and powerful move, Jones was the only principal actor from the 1994 film to reprise his role, bridging the two eras with his iconic voice.
• Adult Simba: Donald Glover. The Emmy and Grammy-winning artist and actor (also known as Childish Gambino) brought a contemporary, soulful voice to the adult Simba, particularly shining in the musical numbers.
• Adult Nala: Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. The global superstar's casting was one of the most talked-about elements of the film, lending a powerful, regal presence to Nala and contributing to the film’s soundtrack.
• Scar: Chiwetel Ejiofor. The Oscar-nominated actor offered a more subdued, menacing, and emotionally scarred portrayal of the villain, differentiating his performance from Jeremy Irons’s theatrical take.
• Timon: Billy Eichner. Known for his rapid-fire comedy, Eichner paired perfectly with Seth Rogen to reinvent the dynamic duo.
• Pumbaa: Seth Rogen. Rogen's signature, laid-back comedic style provided a new, lovable interpretation of the flatulent warthog.
• Young Simba: JD McCrary.
• Young Nala: Shahadi Wright Joseph.
• Zazu: John Oliver. The host of *Last Week Tonight* brought his sharp wit and distinctive voice to the hornbill.

The 2019 cast successfully reinterpreted the classic characters, with the new voices adding a fresh, modern energy to the beloved story, proving that the tale of Pride Rock could resonate with a new generation.

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The New Dawn: Meet the Mufasa: The Lion King (2024) Cast

The most exciting and current chapter in *The Lion King* cinematic universe is the upcoming prequel, *Mufasa: The Lion King*. Directed by Oscar winner Barry Jenkins (*Moonlight*), the film is set for release on December 20, 2024, and will explore the origin story of Mufasa and his brother, Taka (who later becomes Scar). This film introduces a completely new set of main voice actors to portray the younger versions of these legendary characters, while also bringing back some familiar faces.

The Main Prequel Voice Cast

This film is a dramatic exploration of the bond between the brothers, focusing on how Mufasa rose to become the King of the Pride Lands and the events that led to Taka's descent into darkness.

• Mufasa: Aaron Pierre. Known for his roles in *The Underground Railroad* and *Krypton*, Pierre takes on the monumental task of voicing the young Mufasa, offering a fresh, powerful take on the future king.
• Scar/Taka: Kelvin Harrison Jr.. A critically acclaimed actor from films like *Waves*, Harrison Jr. will voice Taka, the younger brother whose resentment and ambition set him on the path to becoming Scar. This is a crucial, complex role exploring the villain's origins.
• Sarabi: Tiffany Boone. The actress from *Hunters* and *The Chi* will voice the young Sarabi, the future queen and Mufasa's mate.
• Kiros: Mads Mikkelsen. The Danish actor, famous for *Hannibal* and *Casino Royale*, joins the cast in the newly created role of Kiros, a character described as Taka’s mentor, adding a layer of intrigue to the prequel’s plot.
• Young Rafiki: Kagiso Lediga. The South African comedian and filmmaker will voice the younger version of the wise mandrill.
• Young Zazu: Preston Nyman. The actor will voice the younger, perhaps less jaded, version of the royal advisor.
• Mufasa Cub: Braelyn Rankins.
• Taka Cub: Theo Somolu.

The Returning Favorites

To connect the prequel to the events of the 2019 film, several key actors are reprising their roles, serving as the narrative framework for Mufasa’s story:

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• Timon: Billy Eichner. Eichner returns to voice the meerkat, likely serving as a narrator or a character who recounts the tale of Mufasa to a new generation.
• Pumbaa: Seth Rogen. Rogen also reprises his role, continuing the beloved partnership with Eichner.
• Rafiki: John Kani. The respected South African actor returns as the wise Rafiki.

The inclusion of Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as the central figures signals a powerful, dramatic focus on the relationship between Mufasa and Taka, promising a deeper exploration of the themes of brotherhood, jealousy, and fate that underpin the entire *Lion King* saga. The film is poised to be a major cinematic event of 2024, continuing the legacy of incredible voice talent that has defined this Disney classic for over three decades.

Topical Authority: The Legacy of The Lion King's Voice Actors

The casting choices across the three *Lion King* films—the 1994 animated classic, the 2019 photorealistic remake, and the 2024 *Mufasa* prequel—demonstrate Disney’s commitment to securing both legendary and contemporary talent. The transition from the theatrical brilliance of Jeremy Irons and Nathan Lane to the modern star power of Chiwetel Ejiofor, Donald Glover, and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, and now to the dramatic intensity of Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr., reflects the evolution of animation and storytelling itself.

The decision to bring back James Earl Jones for the 2019 film provided a crucial anchor, connecting the generations of fans. Similarly, the return of Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner in the 2024 prequel ensures that the comic relief and the spirit of "Hakuna Matata" remain a core part of the expanded universe. These actors are not merely providing voices; they are embodying archetypes, from the noble King Mufasa to the tragic villain Scar, ensuring that the emotional weight of Pride Rock’s story endures for all time.