Several African film stars will join Beyoncé and her daughter Blue Ivy in an upcoming Lion King prequel, titled Mufasa: The Lion King.
South African actor John Kani, who voiced Rafiki in the initial 2019 live action remake of The Lion King, will reprise his role.
The younger Rafiki will be voiced by another South African great – actor and comedian Kagiso Lediga.
The film, which will explore Mufasa’s origin story and his childhood with brother Scar, will be released across theatres in December.
South African actress Thuso Mbedu, who has starred in African hits and Hollywood ones, such as The Woman King, will also have a role in the Disney film.
Nigerian actress Folake Olowofoyeku, who currently plays an immigrant Nigerian nurse in Emmy-nominated US sitcom Bob Hearts Abishola, will also have a role in the movie.
The Lion King prequel will also feature Ugandan-British actress Sheila Atim, who also starred in the Woman King.
Thandiwe Newton, an Emmy award-winning British actress with Zimbabwean roots, will have a major role voicing Eshe, Mufasa’s adoptive mother.