As Mufasa: The Lion King gears up to hit theaters on December 20, star Billy Eichner is already planting seeds for the franchise’s future. Eichner, who reprises his role as the snarky meerkat Timon, alongside Seth Rogen’s lovable warthog Pumbaa, is pitching a prequel centered on the fan-favorite duo.
Speaking at the Los Angeles premiere on Monday, Eichner joked that “90 percent” of Timon and Pumbaa’s lines in Mufasa were improvised during their recording sessions. “They’re the ultimate outsiders, always desperate to be in the center of the story,” Eichner quipped. “Unless, of course, Disney finally makes a Timon and Pumbaa prequel, which Seth and I are very excited about. That hasn’t been announced—we’re just putting it out there!”
Eichner even envisioned what a Timon and Pumbaa origin story might look like: “We’d see how they met, how they became friends, and maybe even how they age gracefully in this remorseless industry. Oh, and Lin-Manuel Miranda must write the songs for it—he owes us after not giving them a new song for Mufasa!”
While Eichner dreams of a Timon and Pumbaa spin-off, Mufasa: The Lion King focuses on the early years of the Pride Lands’ beloved future king, voiced by Aaron Pierre. Directed by Barry Jenkins, the film explores Mufasa’s rise and his complex relationship with his brother, Taka, who would later become Scar (voiced by Kelvin Harrison Jr.).
The premiere was a star-studded affair, highlighted by a surprise appearance from Beyoncé and Jay-Z, who walked the red carpet to support their daughter Blue Ivy Carter. The 12-year-old lends her voice to Kiara
At the #Mufasa premiere Billy Eichner gave his ideas for a Timon and Pumbaa prequel. pic.twitter.com/g038gOkRWC
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) December 10, 2024
