EnglishPremiere - Mufasa: The Lion King - Paris Roars for Disney's Latest Epic
By Mulder, Paris, Pathé Palace, 13 december 2024
The Pathé Palace in Paris transformed into a mesmerizing savannah last night for the grand French premiere of Disney’s eagerly awaited Mufasa : The Lion King. This spectacular event brought the heart of the African plains to life, immersing the film’s stars, French cast, and distinguished guests in an unforgettable evening filled with magic, grandeur, and celebration. Directed by Academy Award-winner Barry Jenkins, the prequel to The Lion King promises to be an emotional and visual spectacle, and its Parisian premiere was nothing short of a regal affair.
The red carpet glittered with the presence of an array of celebrated personalities from the worlds of cinema, music, sports, and digital media. The event’s spotlight naturally shone brightest on the film’s French cast, including Tahar Rahim as the voice of Mufasa, Gwendal Marimoutou as Taka (later known as Scar), Jamel Debbouze as Timon, Rayane Bensetti as Simba, and Anne Sila as Nala. Young actor Timéo Beasse, who voices Mufasa as a cub, made a touching appearance, embodying the spirit of Disney’s timeless tales of youth and growth. Other French cast members attending included Aurélie Konaté as Sarabi, Daniel Kamwa as Rafiki, Daniel Lobé as Kiros, Jean-Michel Vaubien as young Rafiki, Sacha Tomassian as Taka as a cub, Loise Carpentier as Kiara, Annie Million as Eshe, and Jean-Paul Pitolin as Obasi.
The guest list extended far beyond the film’s core team, with actors such as Tomer Sisley, Heloïse Martin, Terence Telle, Manon Azem, Arnaud Binard, and Hedi Bouchenefa lending their glamour to the occasion. Musicians and singers, including Franglish, KeBlack, Dr Yaro, Nâdiya, Noah Ndema, Keen V, and MB14, joined the festivities, adding a melodic dimension to the evening. Pianist Sofiane Pamart further heightened the sophistication of the premiere with his celebrated musical talent. Prominent sports figures like Yoann Huget, professional rugby player, and Esteban Ocon, Formula 1 driver, also graced the red carpet, representing the dynamic energy of the sporting world. Former tennis star Alizé Lim and past Miss France Alicia Aylies added elegance and charm to the proceedings.
The event also attracted a host of influential content creators, bridging the gap between traditional media and the digital age. Among them were Cyprien, @batzair, @carolineambrosini, @cesar_culture_G, @charliehaid, @layanne.bch, @les_parodie_bros, @marcus_mgvm, @mlle_fantazia, @sora, @val_vitti, @youzy, and @yva_landria, each bringing their own unique flavor to this extraordinary celebration. Not to be forgotten, comedians Fary, Lola Dubini, Nino Arial, and Jérémie Dethelot, alongside columnist Philippe Caverivière, kept spirits high throughout the evening, ensuring a joyous and lively atmosphere.
The Pathé Palace underwent a stunning transformation for the evening, bringing the savannah to life with awe-inspiring décor inspired by the Pride Lands. Guests were greeted by breathtaking visuals and evocative elements from the film, creating an environment that felt simultaneously majestic and intimate. The surprise appearance of renowned chef Mory Sacko added a culinary twist to the evening, delighting attendees with his signature dishes inspired by African flavors.
Mufasa : The Lion King, directed by Barry Jenkins and written by Jeff Nathanson, revisits the iconic Pride Lands through a story told in flashbacks. Rafiki, Timon, and Pumbaa recount the formative years of Mufasa to Kiara, Simba and Nala’s daughter. The narrative delves deep into Mufasa’s early life as an orphaned cub, his transformative friendship with Taka, and the trials that shaped his journey to becoming one of the greatest kings the Pride Lands has ever known. The story celebrates themes of friendship, resilience, and destiny, underscored by a powerful score featuring music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hans Zimmer, Nicholas Britell, and Pharrell Williams.
The film’s voice cast boasts a blend of returning favorites from the 2019 remake, including Donald Glover as Simba, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, Billy Eichner as Timon, and John Kani as Rafiki. New voices include Aaron Pierre as Mufasa, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka, Blue Ivy Carter as Kiara, and Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros. The Parisian premiere marked a stunning prelude to the film’s French release on December 18, 2024, just two days ahead of its global release. As attendees exited the Pathé Palace, the consensus was clear: Disney’s Mufasa : The Lion King is poised to captivate audiences with its dazzling animation, heartfelt storytelling, and enduring legacy.
The magic of the evening, brimming with star power and the spirit of the savannah, set a high bar for Disney premieres, cementing the film’s place as one of the year’s most anticipated releases. For those lucky enough to attend, it was a night to remember—a celebration not only of the Lion King legacy but also of the universal themes of hope, courage, and the unbreakable bonds of family.
For a limited time, you can discover the official photos in our Flickr page
Synopis :
Mufasa: The Lion King will take the form of flashbacks. Rafiki, Timon and Pumbaa will tell a young lion cub the story and rise of one of the greatest kings that the Land of Lions has ever borne.
Mufasa: The Lion King
Directed by Barry Jenkins
Written by Jeff Nathanson
Based on Disney's The Lion King by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, Linda Woolverton
Produced by Adele Romanski, Mark Ceryak
Starring Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr, John Kani, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Tiffany Boone, Donald Glover, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Lennie James, Blue Ivy Carter, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter
Cinematography : James Laxton
Edited by Joi McMillon
Music by Hans Zimmer, Pharrell Williams, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Nicholas Britell, Mark Mancina
Production companies: Walt Disney Pictures, Pastel Productions
Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release date : December 18, 2024 (France), December 20, 2024 (United States
Photos : Getty Images / Disney