Mufasa: The Lion King is set to bring memorable tunes to fans, thanks in large part to the extraordinary songwriting talent of Lin-Manuel Miranda. However, there’s one key aspect he feels a pang of regret about. This recent cinematic piece boasts an incredible voice cast, featuring unforgettable performances by Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., John Kani, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Blue Ivy Carter, Donald Glover, and Beyoncé. With such a wealth of vocal talent, Miranda had plenty of inspiration to craft his songs.
As a prequel to both the original 1994 The Lion King and its 2019 reimagining, Mufasa: The Lion King offers a fresh narrative while still maintaining some familiar characters. Under the direction of Barry Jenkins, the film tells a brand-new story, which is further reflected in the unique soundtrack that distinguishes it from its predecessor’s iconic music. Yet, Miranda has openly expressed his disappointment about not having a new song for one particular character.
Lin-Manuel Miranda Regrets Not Writing A Song For Billy Eichner’s Timon In Mufasa
Miranda Shared That He Loves Eichner’s Voice
In an interview with ScreenRant shortly before Mufasa: The Lion King hit theaters, Lin-Manuel Miranda revealed that his biggest regret is not penning a song for Billy Eichner, who lends his voice to Timon. Having known Eichner for years, Miranda praised the actor’s exceptional vocal abilities and expressed his disappointment at missing out on the opportunity to collaborate musically. Despite this, he conveyed his excitement about working with the impressive cast that Mufasa encompasses.
Moreover, Miranda’s decision to leave out a song for Timon aligns with the film’s narrative structure. In Mufasa: The Lion King, Timon and Pumbaa, while beloved, aren’t central to the storyline. They appear primarily at the film’s beginning, as Rafiki recounts tales of Simba and Nala’s daughter, Kiara. Throughout the film, they offer light-hearted commentary but do not carry the main narrative. Thus, assigning them a new song wouldn’t have fit the overall context of the story.
The Next Lion King Movie Could Redeem Lin-Manuel Miranda, If He Returns
If Another Lion King Happens And Miranda Is Involved, Timon Should Get A Song
Though it was not feasible for Lin-Manuel Miranda to devote much energy to Timon in Mufasa: The Lion King, there might still be a chance to rectify this missed opportunity if he’s involved in the next Lion King installment. Given the substantial success of both the 2019 The Lion King and the contemporary Mufasa, it would come as no shock if Disney decided to develop yet another film in this beloved franchise. Whether as a direct sequel or even a prequel focusing on Timon and Pumbaa, a new venture could pave the way for a much-needed song for Timon.
As of now, nothing has been confirmed regarding another Lion King film.
With the potential for another Lion King project, especially one that might delve deeper into Timon and Pumbaa’s escapades, the burning question remains whether Lin-Manuel Miranda would be brought back to contribute to the musical side of things. As things stand, there has been no announcement about an upcoming Lion King film, leaving fans curious about both Miranda’s future projects and any possible return to this cherished franchise. For now, audiences can appreciate the soundtrack of Mufasa: The Lion King and look forward to more of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s inspiring work on the horizon.