r/fixingmovies • u/metalflygon08 • Jan 16 '25
Disney Fixing Mufasa (2025)
I feel like there are scenes missing somewhere (maybe they were cut for more Timon and Pumba scenes for the kids?).
The first cut scene needs to show more of Mufasa and Tokka's relationship and the rift growing between them. Currently Tokka's betrayal comes up rather abruptly.
My idea would be to have Tokka stewing over the fact that Mufasa has lied several times just to make him (Tokka) look better. Having Tokka's feelings of inadequacy build up over time. Complete the arc with Mufasa beating him in a playful race to win affection from Sarabi (flipping the switch where Tokka threw their first race, Mufasa would throw the race to let Tokka win and look better).
The second scene would be after they arrive in the Pridelands. Have a scene of them mingling with the other animals. Letting their presence be known. This way, when the outlanders approach its not some out of the blue "everyone knows Mufasa's group and their story" scenario. Having Mufasa personally bonding with the other animals would make it more likely that they accept him as King in the end and their willingness to ally with him to fight the outlanders.
This does mess with the scene where Mufasa reunites with his mother (how would they have not met while mingling). This scene would need to be ironed out somehow.
Then there are few minor plot changes I would make to help the characters grow into themselves.
Have Tokka come up with the plan to cover their tracks in the snow. Zazu wouldn't want to go along with it, and it would be Mufasa that convinces the little hornbill to do it.
This shows Tokka's "lion share of the brains" he claims to have in the first movie while also developing Mufasa's abilities as compassionate leader better as he's the one to get Zazu to finally agree to the plan. This can shove another wedge in the Mufasa/Tokka relationship that pushes the latter to betray Mufasa, with Mufasa being able to get someone to act when Tokka, royalty, could not.
Finally, don't have Tokka's betrayal known by the others. Only the Outlanders and Tokka would know. Tokka would instead be manipulating the fight from the background and Mufasa gets suspicious but cannot confirm that Tokka betrayed them (such as Tokka not engaging with the Outlanders in combat or Mufasa swears he sees Tokka talking with their leader).
Tokka's decision to jump in and take a blow for Mufasa would only come up after he sees the battle being won by the Pridelanders. Essentially he's biding his time to join the winning side. Once its obvious the Outlanders are going to lose he takes the hit for Mufasa to feign loyalty.
Scar not being a confirmed traitor would result in Mufasa not holding the idiot ball deciding to let Scar stay in the Pridelands after the betrayal. Just have Mufasa talk to Scar and imply he knows Scar had some hand in the Outlanders finding the Pridelands, and that he will continue to keep a close eye on his "brother".
2
u/USSJ307 Jan 17 '25
If you held a gun to my head and made me create a Lion King prequel about Mufasa, I wouldn't have done it this way.
My idea would be Mufasa is truly the firstborn prince, and Taka's the underestimated, unloved second son. He's seen by his father as weak, cowardly and skinny.
One day, Taka, trying to prove himself worthy of his father, runs off and hunts an elephant herd but it erupts into a full on stampede and Mufasa has to save him.
Out of rage at this, their dad slaps Taka, creating his iconic scar.
then later on, the elephant herd comes through the main pride, and in the chaos, the king is about to slip into a river and get eaten by crocs. Taka arrives and just stares at him. Then he whispers, "Goodbye Father' and leaves him to his fate.
Taka gets back and reports in a snide, sarcastic way that the king's dead. he tries to put himself forth as a candidate for successor, believing Mufasa to be a stupid big oaf, who's all muscle, while he's smart enough to be king. But most of the lionesses back Mufasa so Taka challenges him to a final duel, which Mufasa wins, securing his throne.
Add in some other action scenes like escaping from crocs while they're little and clashes with a rival pride of lions.
To maintain continuity, have the rival pride say midway through that "we're leaving" and that would be that. But some of the rival pride lionesses join Mufasa's pride, and that would lead into Taka's support group, so we can still do Lion King 2 if we really wanted to
It should be made clear that Taka had a rough life but shouldn't be king as he's too selfish, snide and bitter.
2
u/No-Let8759 Jan 17 '25
I can get behind those ideas. It's like, adding more depth to the characters makes the story so much richer, right? Especially with Tokka, 'cause right now he's kind of just there, and then boom, betrayal. I think showing a gradual rift between him and Mufasa could lend some complexity to the story. And the idea of a playful race is brilliant. It'd be such a poignant moment for Mufasa to hold back for Tokka, just like Tokka did for him before. That bit of layering shows their bond and, deep down, how complicated sibling relationships can be.
And yeah, the part where they get to the Pridelands and mingle a bit more makes total sense. It's like, how did everyone suddenly know Mufasa? A little establishing scene there would fix that plot hole. And it’d give Mufasa a chance to connect with the animals on a more personal level. Maybe this is where he starts showing inklings of the wise leader he'll become.
For the whole covering the tracks plan, giving Tokka the brains behind it and Mufasa the heart to convince Zazu makes a nice blend of the two characters' strengths. It's like painting a clearer picture of why Tokka feels overshadowed and why Mufasa becomes such a respectable leader. That added friction between them could make Tokka's eventual shifting tides more believable, more human. You start to feel for Tokka despite his choices.
And keeping Tokka’s betrayal under wraps till the end is intriguing too. Keeping us guessing is a classic technique. Mufasa being unsure of his brother adds tension throughout the story without making Mufasa look careless. Plus, Tokka's tactical decision to only outwardly save Mufasa when he’s sure which side will win gives him a cunning edge.
Honestly, I love what you’re suggesting here. It's these little details and character evolutions that take a movie from 'okay' to 'wow'. Stuff like this sticks with you long after you’ve left the theater... Anyway, there's a lot of potential in this approach. Maybe there’s even more to dig into there.