At the 'Mufasa: The Lion King' premiere, Anika Noni Rose tells THR that 'The Lion King' is such a legacy piece and details her character Afia and how she shows up for her loved ones in this film. Plus, she shares what she wants this new generation of kids and families to take out of this movie.
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00:00So you've been such a pillar in our community. I have to tell you Princess and a Frog, Dreamgirls,
00:06and now you are stepping into the Pride Rock Lion King. So what was that like for you?
00:12It's been amazing. It was wonderful to be asked to be a part of this. It's a really wonderful group
00:17of people. You know, it's such a legacy piece. We're just continuing an amazing legacy. It's
00:24thrilling. That young man is in it and he is just a joy. So it's been a wonderful, wonderful time.
00:32Absolutely. And I looked up Afiyah because I'm like, wait, who is this queen? And so her name
00:39means vigor, health, and strength. So how do we see those characteristics play out on screen?
00:46Well, you'll have to see because I can't tell you, but she is definitely all of those things.
00:51Her being the matriarch, though, how does she show up for her loved ones in this film?
00:57She shows up the way many, many mothers across time do. She gives her entire self for her child,
01:04not in the way that she loses herself, but in the way that you know that she loves her son
01:09so very much. She wants to imbue him with all the tools to be the best man or lion that he can be.
01:17But also she is supportive of his journey and she has his back.
01:26What do you want this new generation of kids and families to get out of this film?
01:31I just want them to walk away feeling love and recognizing that love is the thing.
01:38Love is the most important thing. That taking a minute to understand
01:43someone can heal wounds across decades.
01:50This is a story of brotherhood. So what do you think as far as like that storyline that
01:56we're going to be surprised to learn for the first time?
01:59I think you'll be surprised by who Scar is, as opposed to who you think Scar is.
02:05I think you'll be surprised.
02:07And my last question, we're asking everyone, what was their favorite movie of 2024?
02:13Wow, my favorite movie of 2024. One of my favorite movies of 2024 was Sing Sing.
02:21It's beautiful. And it's the same type of thing. It's about family. It's about love. It's about
02:27holding on to each other. And it's really, really beautiful.