SPOILER ALERT: This article contains plot details for Mufasa: The Lion King, arriving in theaters on December 20.
Lin-Manuel Miranda has become a master of crafting unforgettable Disney songs. With Grammy wins and Oscar nominations for his work on Moana and Encanto—including hits like “How Far I’ll Go,” “Dos Oruguitas,” and the global sensation “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”—Miranda has now brought his talents to the Barry Jenkins-directed The Lion King prequel, Mufasa. Collaborating with Disney legend Alan Menken for The Little Mermaid soundtrack in 2023, Miranda is perfectly positioned to add new magic to the iconic Lion King musical legacy, which includes classics like “Circle of Life,” “Hakuna Matata,” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”
“That original album is an all-bangers, no-skips record,” Miranda remarked during a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, expressing admiration for the timeless Elton John and Tim Rice compositions from the 1994 film.
The Mufasa soundtrack begins with “Ngomso,” performed by Lebo M, the South African artist whose voice is synonymous with The Lion King. It is followed by a collection of new songs written by Miranda and performed by the film’s voice cast, including Aaron Pierre as young Mufasa and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as his adopted brother, Taka (who later becomes Scar).
Miranda’s sons, Sebastian and Francisco, serve as his unofficial song critics. According to Miranda, two tracks have already become household favorites: “I Always Wanted a Brother” and “Bye Bye.”
The former, inspired by a poignant line from Jeff Nathanson’s script, was one of the first songs Miranda created for the film. The scene depicts Taka, heir to a royal bloodline, saving Mufasa after he is separated from his family in a tragic accident. “When I heard that line, I knew it had to be a song title,” Miranda said. Drawing from his own experience raising two young sons, ages 6 and 10, Miranda crafted a heartfelt piece about sibling rivalry and loyalty.
“Bye Bye,” on the other hand, is the film’s villain anthem, performed by Kiros, a fearsome lion voiced by Mads Mikkelsen. Originally, the script didn’t include a solo for the character, but Miranda saw an irresistible opportunity to create a dancehall-inspired number for Mikkelsen. “I know it sounds like peanut butter and pickles, but they’re two great tastes that go surprisingly well together,” Miranda joked about his pitch to director Barry Jenkins.
The Mufasa soundtrack promises to offer a rich mix of emotional depth and playful energy, carrying on the Lion King’s celebrated tradition of unforgettable music. Stay tuned as Miranda, Jenkins, and the cast share more insights into the film’s songs leading up to its release.