Here’s what it’s like getting to work on one of the biggest movies of 2024.
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Much has been said these days about Hollywood’s seeming lack of a new generation of stars. It feels like all the same faces are cast in the big roles and projects as young, up-and-coming, and fresh-faced actors aren’t given the opportunity to get their breakthrough. But the talent is there, and if you give them the chance, they will prove themselves with their potential. Just take a look at Braelyn Rankins.
While he may not be a household name, yet, the young multi-talented actor has already booked his fair share of big projects such as Doom Patrol and Genius. But his next role is arguably his biggest yet as he voices young Mufasa in Mufasa: The Lion King.
A LION CUB ROARS
It’s been a long time coming for Braelyn, not just because the film is one of the last big releases of the year, but also because he’s been circling the project in some capacity for four years. “I first auditioned back in 2020, but filming didn’t start until late 2021, and the entire process stretched out over about four years,” he reveals to NYLON Manila. “That gave me a lot of time to grow as an actor and really sit with the character. Keeping a project this major under wraps for such a long time was a bit hard for me, but I think the waiting process made the reveal even more special.”
Like with any project based on a popular IP, the movie was kept such a secret that Braelyn didn’t even know he was voicing young Mufasa until they told him he got the role (the character he auditioned for had a fake name). So, what is it like to voice one of the most beloved characters in animation and to do so at such an early stage of your career? Pretty chill, actually. “To be honest, I didn’t feel the weight of the pressure too much, mainly because I was playing a much younger version of Mufasa, which allowed me to approach the character in my own way.”
It’s a big role, but Braelyn found his groove to give his interpretation of young Mufasa, and it doesn’t hurt when you are joined by an all-star cast and crew, such as the movie’s Oscar-winning director, Barry Jenkins. “[Barry Jenkins’] approach is so relaxed and calm, which was a huge comfort, especially since the voiceover process can sometimes feel a little intimidating,” the young actor gushes.
Get to know more about Braelyn, his experience working on big Hollywood productions, and more by reading the full interview below.
You come from a very talented family. Is acting and performing something you always wanted to do?
Thank you! Growing up, I was always surrounded by the arts. My parents worked on their own projects, and they often brought my siblings and me along to the sets. It was so interesting to me being able to experience the process that went into filmmaking. Being on set from such a young age gave me a much better understanding of the industry. When I was younger, I even attended a performing arts school for a couple of years, which was an amazing experience and really piqued my interest in acting even more. I think acting has always been a part of me, I start to realize that the more I get older.
How did the role of “Young Mufasa” come about and what was the audition process like for you?
At the time, I was filming another project in North Carolina, so I recorded my first audition there. I then did a second audition while I was in Canada, and that’s actually where I found out that I’d booked the role. What’s interesting is that the project was under wraps, so I didn’t even know I was auditioning for “Young Mufasa” until I got the call saying I got the part. The character I was auditioning for had a fake name, so I was kind of kept in the dark in terms of that. But the whole experience was much quicker than I expected. From the minute I got the call I was extremely thrilled and ready to start work immediately.
Given that it’s mainly a voiceover performance, what did you do to prepare for this role?
The preparation for this role was definitely different from my previous projects, since it was mainly voiceover work. What helped me get into character was thinking about Mufasa’s emotional core—the young version of him I was portraying was a lot different than the version of him that we all know and love, so I think that it was really fun seeing him in such a new angle. Barry Jenkins, the director, was so collaborative and easygoing. He gave me the freedom to explore different sides of the character, so I was able to bring a lot of my own energy to the role. The whole process was very creative, and that was really exciting for me.
Would you say doing this voiceover role was easier or harder as compared to your live-action roles?
Voiceover was definitely a bit harder for me, just because it was so different from what I’m used to. It took some time to get used to that, especially since there’s not a lot of physical connection or interaction with the other actors like there would be on set. It got me out of my comfort zone, but I think it’s really important to bring the same level of emotion and energy as you would in a live-action scene. The whole experience pushed me as an actor, so it was a rewarding challenge in the end.
Considering the hype and history behind the movie, did you feel any pressure taking on the role of “Young Mufasa”? And if so, how did you deal with it?
To be honest, I didn’t feel the weight of the pressure too much, mainly because I was playing a much younger version of Mufasa, which allowed me to approach the character in my own way. Since I wasn’t stepping into the shoes of the iconic, fully-formed Mufasa that people know and love, it felt like there was a bit more creative freedom. The Lion King has always been one of my favorite films, so I already had a deep connection to the material, and that helped me feel confident going into the role. I could bring my own take on the character without feeling like I had to live up to the past.
Mufasa is a beloved character that many people know. So, how did you approach the role when it came to showing audiences who “Young Mufasa” is?
With my approach to the character, I wanted to show a side of Mufasa that we’ve never seen before—from a new and younger perspective. When I was recording, there were storyboard drawings to match whatever sequence I was doing, which helped me stay present in the scenes since I wasn’t on a practical set. The process was really collaborative. Barry Jenkins gave me a lot of room to experiment with the character and implement a few of my own ideas.
You’re joined by an all-star cast and talented director Barry Jenkins in this movie. Did you get any tips from them?
Absolutely! A lot of my early tips came from working with Kurt and Lin-Manuel Miranda on the song “I Always Wanted a Brother.” They were amazing mentors when it came to helping with my technique and experimenting with different vocal ranges. When I found out I’d be doing the song I was a bit nervous, but working with them eased my nerves and the whole experience ended up being really fun. As for Barry Jenkins, working with him was a learning experience in itself. His approach is so relaxed and calm, which was a huge comfort, especially since the voiceover process can sometimes feel a little intimidating. The vibe was always laid-back when I worked with him, which I really enjoyed. I hope to work with him again sometime soon.
What’s the most surprising thing you learned while making the movie?
The biggest surprise for me was seeing how much our facial expressions influenced the animation. In certain scenes, I was amazed to see how much my own facial expressions were actually applied to the final character animation. During filming, we only had early 2D drawings of what the scenes were going to look like, so seeing the final product has been really rewarding. So cool!
You’ve worked on your fair share of Hollywood projects over the years. But how different was working on Mufasa: The Lion King compared to your previous roles?
Mufasa was definitely unique compared to my other projects. This was the longest I’ve ever been attached to a single project. I first auditioned back in 2020, but filming didn’t start until late 2021, and the entire process stretched out over about four years. That gave me a lot of time to grow as an actor and really sit with the character. Keeping a project this major under wraps for such a long time was a bit hard for me, but I think the waiting process made the reveal even more special. Most of my work was done during the pandemic, so this was the first time I’d been to a premiere, which I really enjoyed. The whole experience has become such a core memory for me.
What dream roles or projects would you like to do in the future?
I’ve always been interested in doing a horror film. It’s a genre I haven’t explored yet, and I think it would be such an exciting challenge to dive into something that intense and different. I love the idea of tapping into fear and tension in a completely new way. Another dream would be to work with A24, which is a production company I’ve admired for a while now. Their films are always so unique, it would be amazing to work with them on something that pushes boundaries. My sister and I watch their films all the time, so I think it would be cool to be a part of that world.
Where do you get the confidence to do what you do with all these big actors and productions?
A big part of my confidence comes from having such a solid support system in my friends and family. My entire family works in the film industry, so I’ve always had them around to offer advice, support, and guidance. Whether I’m on set or preparing for a role, they’re always there to lend an ear. It also helps that I’ve been acting for a while now, so the more I do it, everything starts to feel much more comfortable. The more experience I get, the more natural it feels.
You’re set to star in one of the biggest movies of 2024, and you’re just getting started in your career. What kind of impact are you hoping to make on the industry?
Eventually I hope to create some of my own films and projects. I’m interested in directing or writing something in the future. Working behind the scenes seems like it would be exciting and different, so I’d definitely be up for that challenge!
Photos courtesy of Life and Legacy Media
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