'Mufasa: The Lion King' has special tribute for James Earl Jones

Barry Jenkins, director Mufasa: The Lion King believed that the film would have been incomplete without mentioning OG James Earl Jones.

Therefore, the creator of the much-anticipated movie has unveiled that the opening credits will carry a tribute to the late veteran.

Jones voiced 'Mufasa' in the 1994 film and in its remake that came out in 2019. The actor died in September 2024 at the age of 93 at his home in New York.

The upcoming film, as per the director, is going to open with James’ voice with a title that will read: “In Remembrance.”

Barry also explained the reason behind adding this special tribute while talking to Variety.

He added: "I grew up without a father figure, and you go in and you watch this art, you watch these films, sometimes these fathers in these movies become a stand-in for that. They become these father figures."

According to the 45-year-old filmmaker, it would have been unfair watching the new Lion King movie without honouring the late star.

"We had all lost this man who meant so much. It felt like there was no way you could sit in this movie – go through an hour and 40 minutes — and not honour him in some way”, told Jenkins.

For the unversed, actor Aaron Pierre is doing the voiceover for the 2024 flick, which is slated to release worldwide on December 20.