‘The Lion King’ Prequel Will be a Full Circle Moment for Lebo M

Thirty years ago,the South African composer Lebo M arranged music for, and sang on the soundtrack to The Lion King. It introduced audiences to the young Simba who captured hearts around the world in films, animated series and a Broadway musical. Now, the forthcoming latest live-action film, directed by Oscar-winner Barry Jenkins, looks at the origin story of Simba’s father Mufasa.

At D23, Lebo also performed a new track from Mufasa, titled “Ngomso,” with a choir of American and South African singers backing him. He tells OkayAfrica that, “For 30 years I’ve been traveling this road, and now to be able to launch this new song, ‘Ngomso,’ felt warm and welcoming.” He adds that the film is “a beautiful evolution” from the first time around, when he wasn’t yet known as the voice and spirit of The Lion King.

In the official trailer released over the weekend, Rafiki tells Timon, Pumbaa, Simba and Nala’s cub, Kiara, the backstory of Mufasa and Scar, then known as Taka. It shows how Taka befriended Mufasa, an orphaned cub. Despite initial pushback from Taka’s family, he and Mufasa “became brothers.”

Later on in the trailer, Taka and Mufasa are told by Eshe: “You and Taka together. That is home. Now both of you go. Find your place in the circle of life.” As they journey, they encounter Kiros, an intimidating white lion who tells them, “The circle is broken. There will be one lion king.”

In the trailer, the film is described as “the epic story of how an orphan became king.” The film hits the cinema circuit in December.

Watch the trailer for Mufasa:The Lion King below.