Barry Jenkins defends role in Disney's 'Mufasa: The Lion King'
What's the story
Acclaimed director Barry Jenkins recently responded to criticism over his involvement in Disney's live-action prequel, Mufasa: The Lion King. Following the release of the film's first trailer, some fans expressed disappointment, feeling that Jenkins was compromising his talent by working on a mainstream project. In response, Jenkins defended his decision and dismissed suggestions of working on a Disney movie solely for financial gain.
Defense stance
Jenkins refutes claims of Disney being a 'soulless machine'
Jenkins, known for his Oscar-winning films Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk, countered the criticism by stating, "There is nothing soulless about The Lion King." He emphasized the film's impact on children worldwide, describing it as a "potent vessel for communal empathy." Jenkins also highlighted that children have always been a central theme in his work, dismissing claims of compromising his talent.
Creative constraints
Jenkins discussed creative freedom in existing film franchises
In an interview with Empire, Jenkins addressed concerns about potential creative restrictions within film franchises. He expressed, "When you step into a world that already exists, it can be easy to assume that freedom is denied." However, he believes in creating freedom within these constraints and sees this as part of the process. He added that true success is seeing oneself reflected in one's work years later.