“Mufasa viewers… this is all your fault”: Another The Lion King Live-Action Spinoff Is Reportedly Coming, Highlights a Disturbing 2024 Trend
The Lion King is one of the most cherished franchises, and it all began with a groundbreaking debut in 1994. The very first movie follows the beats of Shakespeare’s Hamlet but features animals in a wild setting, a creative choice that did wonders for the film.
We still remember the iconic songs, villains, and our brave protagonist because the movies have become a pop culture staple. So Disney left no time to expand its media empire with Broadway shows, animated series, and even video games. Still, the continuous live-action movies might be a little too ambitious, and somewhat uncreative.
Another live-action spinoff is possible for The Lion King
The live-action remake of The Lion King grossed more than 1.6 billion worldwide, which increased Disney’s appetite for expanding the narratives in Pride Lands (via The Numbers). Mufasa: The Lion King, which was released in December 2024 seemed like a promising origin story for one of the most beloved characters in the franchise.
We follow a young Mufasa, who’s all lost and alone until he comes across Taka, the lion who later becomes Scar. The film does offer some fresh insights into familiar characters but the visual realism seemed to overpower its emotional depth. Now, the news of a potential spin-off makes one wonder if we truly need another chapter, or is Disney simply beating a dead horse?
On the financial front, it seems like a good decision, as the project has already raked in $500 million worldwide (via Variety). The audience is certainly invested due to the franchise’s nostalgia, but despite all the box office success, the creative payoff remains a glaring issue.
The disturbing sequel saturation trend of 2024
Unfortunately, the release of Mufasa isn’t a one-off in 2024, and Hollywood’s box office numbers will tell you how obsessed the industry has become with sequels, prequels, and spin-offs. Most of the year’s top 10 blockbusters were a continuation of an already established franchise (via Box Office Mojo).
Moreover, they’re dominating the charts with Inside Out 2 leading the pack, as it has grossed $1.7 billion in global earnings. We also have MCU’s Deadpool and Wolverine which made over a billion, along with Moana 2 and Despicable Me 4 nearing in on the nine-zero race. The trend obviously isn’t new but 2024 definitely cemented it as a defining feature of what modern cinema looks like.
Continuous expansions of franchises are a safe bet, but it raises concerns about creativity in Hollywood, and the audience bears some responsibility for this trend as well. But giant corporations earning profits isn’t the actual problem, what’s devastating is how original films are sidelined and there’s less room for fresh voices with innovative storytelling.
Mufasa: The Lion King is currently in theatres.
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