"Mufasa" Star Braelyn Rankins Talks Disney Dreams and Bringing the King to Life

"Mufasa" star Braelyn Rankins talks his journey playing the young king, working with Lin-Manuel Miranda, and the challenges of voice acting. Discover the magic of this visually stunning prequel in theaters now.

In the highly anticipated prequel to "The Lion King," "Mufasa," young Braelyn Rankins brings the iconic character to life. We caught up with the rising star to discuss his journey, working with Lin-Manuel Miranda, and why you should see the film.

A Disney Journey:

Rankins, a young Disney actor with credits including "Lady and the Tramp" and "Genius: Aretha," shared his excitement for "Mufasa." He explained how the film depicts a younger Mufasa, an orphan navigating a challenging world.

Rankins shared that preparing for Mufasa was interesting because he's very different from the original. Rankins goes on to share that Mufasa starts off as an orphan, separated from his family. He meets Taka and his mom, who essentially adopt him. It was a unique perspective to explore.

Voiceover Challenges and Triumphs:

Stepping into the world of voice acting presented its own set of challenges. Rankins talked about adjusting to a nontraditional set with voice acting and learning to rely heavily on the imagination to create the scene. He shared that everyone on set was super supportive of him as this was his first voice over roll.

Despite initial nerves, Rankins found the experience rewarding. Most of the voice over work was done here in Atlanta, and Rankins took his experience to New York to record the music for the film.

Collaborating with Lin-Manuel Miranda:

Working with the acclaimed Lin-Manuel Miranda was a highlight. "He's the exact same way he is on TV in real life." Rankins shared. He shared that he was nervous for the sing part because his voice was changing so much and that Miranda and his vocal coach helped him gain the confidence to own his vocals.

A Modern Take on a Classic:

"Mufasa" pays homage to the original film while offering a fresh perspective. Rankins shared there are Easter eggs for Disney fanatics. Rankins pointed out that the music is a great 'callback'.

Rankins shared that Mufasa is a must see film this holiday season with lots of emotional twists and turns. The film is out Friday, December 20th in theaters and the sound track has been available for listening since December 13th.