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Disney has added another film to their most successful franchise, The Lion King – this time following Mufasa’s journey from a cub to becoming the king of Pride Rock.

Inspired by the 1994 animation, the latest addition is a live-action feature and is directed by Moonlight filmmaker Barry Jenkins.

Before heading to your nearest cinema, here are six things you need to know about the film and don’t worry, there are no spoilers.

What is Mufasa: The Lion King about?

Mufasa is synonymous with one of the most heart-breaking moments of any Disney film but apart from being Simba’s dad and Scar’s brother, there’s little fans know about him.

In this prequel film, we follow Mufasa as a young cub who gets lost and meets a sympathetic lion cub, and heir to a royal bloodline, named Taka.

This meeting sets the wheels in motion for the future king, and we go on his journey to meet his soon-to-be wife Sarabi and friends.

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Do I need to watch The Lion King to understand Mufasa: The Lion King?

Not necessarily but it is a major reference point throughout the film.

In the new live-action sequel, we met some of the “great kings of the past” first mentioned in the 1994 original.

Mufasa: The Lion King. Pic: ©Disney
Image:
Mufasa: The Lion King. Pic: ©Disney

The story is told through flashbacks as Rafiki tells Simba’s daughter Kiara about the “circle of life” and why it’s important to “remember who you are”.

The choice to do so makes it easier for young minds to follow along but if you want the full experience and to understand the non-stop references to the original, re-watching either the animation, 2019 live-action film or the musical would be a good idea.

Tiffany Boone, who voices a young Sarabi (Simba’s mum), says her opinion on Scar has slightly changed after being part of the new movie.

She tells Sky News: “I think I empathise with Scar a lot more than I did before. I’m not saying he’s right to do what he did in the original version but you understand how the relationship between Mufasa and Scar got to the point where it’s so contentious and so I now have a little bit of a softer spot in my heart for Scar.”

Mufasa: The Lion King
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Mufasa: The Lion King. Pic: ©Disney

Who stars in Mufasa: The Lion King?

Mufasa: The Lion King is led by Croydon actor Aaron Pierre, who has previously starred in Rebel Ridge as well as Genius and Foe.

He says stepping into the role of Mufasa has been a “huge honour” and hopes he does James Earl Jones justice as the younger version of his character.

The actor posed for photos on Pride Rock at the UK premiere – a moment he says he won’t forget.

“That was really special. The London premiere was just so beautiful. London showed up and with all of the beautiful energy and they celebrated, and they just poured love into that evening.”

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Taka is played by Kelvin Harrison Jr and a young Sarabi is voiced by Tiffany Boone.

While the daughter of Beyonce and Jay-Z, Blue Ivy Carter, voices Kiara, the daughter of King Simba.

Other voices include Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros, Kagiso Lediga as a young Rafiki and Preston Nyman as a young Zazu.

In order to set up the film as a flashback, the 2019 voices return briefly – Donald Glover, Beyonce Knowles-Carter, John Kani, John Oliver, Seth Rogan and Billy Eichner.

Mufasa: The Lion King. Pic: ©Disney
Image:
Mufasa: The Lion King. Pic: ©Disney

Is James Earl Jones in Mufasa: The Lion King?

Seen as a father figure by many, the death of James Earl Jones marked a sad day for movie fans all over the world.

The Star Wars actor originated the strong, stoic voice of Mufasa in the 1994 animation and reprised the role for the 2019 live-action remake.

Jenkins made the decision to dedicate the entire film to the star and his voice briefly appears as a somewhat ‘voice of God’ at the beginning of the new film.

Opening with a black screen, you hear Jones’s voice uttering his advice to Simba: “Look at the stars. The great kings of the past look down on us from those stars. So, whenever you feel alone, just remember that those kings will always be there to guide you. And so will I.”

Mufasa: The Lion King. Pic: ©Disney
Image:
Mufasa: The Lion King. Pic: ©Disney

Is it safe for children to watch Mufasa: The Lion King?

The film has received a PG rating in the UK so it is safe for everyone to watch.

However, much like the original, it is worth approaching with caution as there’s a scene or two that might be a bit scary and/or emotional for younger viewers.

Who made the music for Mufasa: The Lion King?

The musical man of the moment – Lin-Manuel Miranda – is responsible for the soundtrack to Mufasa: The Lion King.

Jenkins says watching him work taught him so much as a creative person.

“Typically, in a musical, the songs come first and the movie folds around it. But in this case, because Lin was so busy directing Tick Tick Boom and working on Encanto so we got started before he came in and it was really wonderful to see him look at the script and sort of diagnose where songs could elevate the narrative rather than just distract from it,” says Jenkins.

“And the song I Always Wanted A Brother was a great example. Lin watched a very early animatic and right away identified that’s the song [for this section], and it’s one of my favourite pieces in the film.”

Mufasa: The Lion King is in cinemas now.

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Tom Cruise leads moment of silence in tribute to ‘dear friend’ Val Kilmer

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Tom Cruise leads moment of silence in tribute to 'dear friend' Val Kilmer

Tom Cruise has paid tribute to Val Kilmer, wishing his Top Gun co-star “well on the next journey”.

Cruise, speaking at the CinemaCon film event in Las Vegas on Thursday, asked for a moment’s silence to reflect on the “wonderful” times shared with the star, whom he called a “dear friend”.

Kilmer, who died of pneumonia on Tuesday aged 65, rocketed to fame starring alongside Cruise in the 1986 blockbuster Top Gun, playing Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky, a rival fighter pilot to Cruise’s character Maverick.

Tom Cruise, star of the upcoming film "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning," leads a moment of silence for late actor Val Kilmer during the Paramount Pictures presentation at CinemaCon at Caesars Palace on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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Tom Cruise said ‘I wish you well on the next journey’. Pic: AP

Val Kilmer in 2017. Pic: AP
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Val Kilmer in 2017. Pic: AP

His last part was a cameo role in the 2022 blockbuster sequel Top Gun: Maverick.

Cruise, on stage at Caesars Palace on Thursday, said: “I’d like to honour a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer. I can’t tell you how much I admire his work, how grateful and honoured I was when he joined Top Gun and came back later for Top Gun: Maverick.

“I think it would be really nice if we could have a moment together because he loved movies and he gave a lot to all of us. Just kind of think about all the wonderful times that we had with him.

“I wish you well on the next journey.”

The moment of silence followed a string of tributes from Hollywood figures including Cher, Francis Ford Coppola, Antonio Banderas and Michelle Monaghan.

Kilmer’s daughter Mercedes told the New York Times on Wednesday that the actor had died from pneumonia.

Tom Cruise takes part in the Paramount Pictures presentation at CinemaCon at Caesars Palace on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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Tom Cruise at Caesars Palace on Thursday. Pic: AP

Diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, Kilmer discussed his illness and recovery in his 2020 memoir Your Huckleberry and Amazon Prime documentary Val.

He underwent radiation and chemotherapy treatments for the disease and also had a tracheostomy which damaged his vocal cords and permanently gave him a raspy speaking voice.

Kilmer played Batman in the 1995 film Batman Forever and received critical acclaim for his portrayal of rock singer Jim Morrison in the 1991 movie The Doors.

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He also starred in True Romance and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, as well as playing criminal Chris Shiherlis in Michael Mann’s 1995 movie Heat and Doc Holliday in the 1993 film Tombstone.

In 1988 he married British actress Joanne Whalley, whom he met while working on fantasy adventure Willow.

The couple had two children before divorcing in 1996.

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Bruce Springsteen: The Boss to release seven ‘lost’ albums

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Bruce Springsteen: The Boss to release seven 'lost' albums

Bruce Springsteen is to release seven albums of mostly unheard material this summer.

The US singer said the songs, written and re-recorded between 1983 and 2018, were being made public after he began completing “everything I had in my vault” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a short video posted on Instagram, Springsteen said the albums were “records that were full records, some of them even to the point of being mixed and not released”.

The 83-song collection is being released in a box set called Tracks II: The Lost Albums and goes on sale on 27 June.

Some 74 of the tracks have never been heard before.

Springsteen first teased the release on Wednesday morning with a short social media video accompanied by text which said: “What was lost has been found”.

Tracks II is the follow-up to the star’s first Tracks volume, a four-CD collection of 66 unreleased songs, released in 1998.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 26, 2025: Bruce Springsteen took the stage at Carnegie Hall for People Have the Power: A Celebration of Patti Smith, an electrifying tribute to the legendary artist. The event, presented by Michael Dorf, honored Smiths profound impact on music, poetry, and activism, bringing together an all-star lineup to perform her most iconic songs. (Photo: Giada Papini Rampelotto/EuropaNewswire). Photo by: Giada Papini Rampelotto/EuropaNewswire/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images
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Bruce Springsteen at New York’s Carnegie Hall at a tribute to Patti Smith last month. Pic: PA

The New Jersey-born rocker, nicknamed The Boss, last released a studio album in 2022.

Only the Strong Survive was a collection of covers, including songs by Motown and soul artists, such as the Four Tops, The Temptations, The Supremes, Frankie Wilson and Jimmy Ruffin.

The late soul legend Sam Moore, who died in January and was a frequent Springsteen collaborator, sang on two of the tracks.

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Springsteen is coming to the UK in May to launch a two-month tour of Europe with his E Street Band.

The shows will include performances at the Co-op Live in Manchester and Liverpool’s Anfield stadium.

The singer-songwriter has sold more than 140 million records since his debut on the music scene in 1973, according to his website.

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Stalker who believed Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas was his aunt avoids jail

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Stalker who believed Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas was his aunt avoids jail

A man who stalked Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas for six years has avoided jail.

Kyle Shaw, 37, got a 20-month suspended sentence and a lifetime restraining order on contacting Ballas, her mother, niece, and former partner.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that he thought Ballas was his aunt and “began a persistent campaign of contact”.

“He believed, and it’s evident from what he was told by his mother, that her late brother was his father,” said prosecutor Nicola Daley.

The court heard there was no evidence he was wrong, and “limited evidence” he was correct.

Ms Daley said Shaw’s messages had accused Ballas of being to blame for the death of her brother, who took his own life in 2003 aged 44.

He also set up social media accounts in his name.

Shaw had pleaded guilty to stalking the former dancer between August 2017 and November 2023 at a hearing in February.

Incidents included following Ballas’s 86-year-old mother, Audrey Rich, while she was shopping and telling her she was his grandmother.

The court heard in messages to Mrs Rich, Shaw had asked: “Where’s my dad?”

Ballas was so worried for her mother’s safety that she moved her from Merseyside to London.

Shaw outside court on the day of his sentencing. Pic: PA
Image:
Kyle Shaw outside court on the day of his sentencing. Pic: PA

In October 2020, Ballas called police after Shaw messaged her and said: “Do you want me to kill myself, Shirley?”

Posts on X included one alongside an image of her home address that warned: “You ruined my life, I’ll ruin yours and everyone’s around you.”

Another referenced a book signing and said: “I can’t wait to meet you for the first time Aunty Shirley. Hopefully I can get an autograph.”

The court was told Ballas’s niece Mary Assall, former partner Daniel Taylor and colleagues from Strictly Come Dancing and ITV’s Loose Women were also sent messages.

‘I know where you live’

On one occasion in late 2023, Shaw called Mr Taylor and told him he knew where the couple lived and described Ballas’s movements.

The court heard the 64-year-old TV star become wary of socialising and stopped using public transport.

Prosecutor Ms Daley said: “She described having sleepless nights worrying about herself and her family’s safety and being particularly distressed when suggestions were made to her that she and her mother were responsible for her brother taking his own life.”

Man accused of stalking Shirley Ballas
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Ballas has been head judge on Strictly Come Dancing since 2017. Pic: PA

Shaw cried and wiped away tears as he was sentenced on Tuesday.

The judge said the stalking stemmed from his mother telling him Ballas’s brother, David Rich, was his biological father.

“I’m satisfied that your motive for this offending was a desire to seek contact with people you genuinely believed were your family,” he said.

“Whether in fact there’s any truth in that belief is difficult, if not impossible, to determine.”

Kyle Shaw leaves Liverpool Crown Court, where he is charged with stalking Strictly judge Shirley Ballas.
Pic: PA
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Shaw pictured at court in February. Pic: PA

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Defence lawyer John Weate said Shaw had been told the story by his mother “in his mid to late teens” and had suffered “complex mental health issues” since he was a child.

He added: “He now accepts that Miss Ballas and her family don’t wish to have any contact with him and, importantly, he volunteered the information that he has no intention of contacting them again.”

Shaw, of Whetstone Lane in Birkenhead, also admitted possessing cannabis and was ordered to undertake a rehab programme.

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