Disney's much-anticipated prequel to “The Lion King,” Mufasa, has debuted with underwhelming results at the box office, earning only $3 million in Thursday previews. Directed by Barry Jenkins, the film is tracking for a modest opening weekend of $35-$40 million, a far cry from its predecessor's explosive debut.
A Tough Act to Follow
When Jon Favreau's “The Lion King” remake hit theaters in 2019, it earned a staggering $23 million on its Thursday previews, culminating in a $191 million opening weekend. “Mufasa: The Lion King” appears to be struggling to capture the same level of enthusiasm, with early reactions pointing to lukewarm reception and comparisons that paint an uphill battle for the prequel.
A Financial Gamble for Disney
Barry Jenkins recently hinted at the film's colossal $250 million production budget. When factoring in marketing costs, the total expenditure could easily surpass $350 million, meaning the movie would need to gross approximately $500 million worldwide to break even. These stakes place immense pressure on Disney to capitalize on the holiday season, hoping for sustained interest and positive word-of-mouth.
Mixed Competition at the Box Office
Adding to the film's challenges is fierce competition. Paramount's “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” debuted with an impressive $6.5 million in previews, placing it firmly on track for the top spot this weekend. Meanwhile, “Wicked 2”, in its fourth weekend, remains a consistent performer, demonstrating only a modest 20% drop from the previous week.
Hope for Redemption
Despite its rocky start, “Mufasa” could benefit from strong walk-up ticket sales over the weekend. The holiday season has historically been a lifeline for family films, and Disney is likely banking on the brand's global recognition to buoy its fortunes. With fans of “The Lion King” franchise spanning generations, the potential for long-term success remains, albeit uncertain.
My Impressions: Disney's decision to greenlight a prequel like “Mufasa” was always going to be a gamble. While the franchise's nostalgia factor remains strong, audiences seem less enthused about revisiting the Pride Lands without the emotional gravitas of the original story. Barry Jenkins is a talented filmmaker, but even his direction may not be enough to elevate a project hindered by tepid audience interest. That said, Disney's marketing machine and the film's holiday release window could still turn things around.
What do you think about Disney's strategy of producing prequels to its classic films? Can “Mufasa” overcome its slow start to become a hit, or is it doomed to underperform?
