Barry Jenkins and Lin-Manuel Miranda delve into the inspiration behind ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’

CHICAGO (WLS) — “Mufasa: The Lion King” roars into theaters this week, and it is expected to be a holiday blockbuster.

Director Barry Jenkins and songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda told ABC7 Chicago’s Hosea Sanders about this epic achievement.

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Miranda talked about his inspiration for the music.

“I am inspired by the artists who laid the foundation for the music genre of ‘The Lion King,’ particularly Elton John and Tim Rice on the original soundtrack,” Miranda shared. He also acknowledged the impact of the Broadway adaptation, praising it as one of the most significant and enduring musicals on Broadway. Furthermore, Miranda highlighted Beyoncé’s album in 2019, which added a new dimension to the music of ‘The Lion King’.”

Reflecting on his creative process, Miranda mentioned, “I found a lot of creative freedom and guidance from the script itself. Many of my song titles originated from lines in the dialogue, drawing inspiration directly from Barry.” This approach simplified his search for inspiration and connected his work closely to the source material.

Jenkins talked about how cultural representation plays out in the telling of this story.

Discussing the cultural significance of ‘The Lion King,’ Jenkins emphasized the diversity of languages and musical influences present in the production. He appreciated the depth brought by elements like Swahili and Zulu lyrics. Jenkins emphasized the universality of the story, noting how certain symbols or gestures instantly resonate across different cultures. He also delved into the moral complexities portrayed in the narrative, highlighting the nuanced journey from good to evil. Jenkins found these themes compelling and believed they warranted exploration within the context of the story.

“Mufasa: The Lion King” opens “officially” on Friday.

But if you can’t wait, there are preview showings in Chicago and its suburbs that start Thursday afternoon!

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