Disney
Studios
has
roped
in
Oscar
winner
Barry
Jenkins
to
direct
the
awaited
prequel
for
The
Lion
King.
According
to
a
report
in
Deadline,
Jeff
Nathanson
has
already
penned
a
draft
for
the
prequel.
Jeff
Nathanson
had
also
worked
on
the
Jon
Favreau
directorial
last
year.
While
the
details
of
the
story
are
being
kept
under
wraps,
the
film
is
expected
to
explore
the
character's
mythology
including
Mufasa's
origin
story.
Jenkins
said
he
is
looking
forward
to
The
Lion
King
prequel,
"Helping
my
sister
raise
two
young
boys
during
the
'90s,
I
grew
up
with
these
characters.
Having
the
opportunity
to
work
with
Disney
on
expanding
this
magnificent
tale
of
friendship,
love
and
legacy
while
furthering
my
work
chronicling
the
lives
and
souls
of
folk
within
the
African
diaspora
is
a
dream
come
true."
Disney's
live-action
remake
of
The
Lion
King,
which
released
last
year
turned
out
to
be
a
massive
hit
for
the
studio.
The
film
has
been
voiced
by
Donald
Glover
as
Simba
and
Beyonce
as
Nala.
On
the
other
hand,
veteran
actor
James
Earl
Jones
lent
his
voice
for
Mufasa's
character
in
1994
version
as
well
as
the
2019
release.
Fans
are
hoping
he
returns
to
voice
Mufasa's
younger
version
as
well
in
the
prequel.
Meanwhile,
the
Academy
Award-winning
filmmaker,
Jenkins
has
been
working
with
Disney
on
a
biopic
based
on
the
famed
choreographer,
Alvin
Ailey.
He
recently
wrapped
up
working
on
an
Amazon
limited
series
titled,
The
Underground
Railroad
and
also
penned
a
drama
based
on
the
first
American
female
Olympic
boxing
champ,
Clarissa
'T-Rex'
Shields.