After a “large percentage of people” questioned Barry Jenkins’ decision to helm Mufasa: The Lion King, the director responds: “I think there is something to taking on new challenges”

You only had to sneak a quick glimpse at social media upon Mufasa’s announcement in 2020 to see the surprising backlash to Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk director Barry Jenkins’ decision to hop on over to Disney to helm The Lion King prequel. The reactions spanned the usual spectrum of online discourse, from mild disappointment to outspoken critics attempting to police Jenkins’ career choices.

During press for Mufasa: The Lion King, we put it to Jenkins that a “small percentage” of fans were unhappy with Jenkins choosing the big-budget live-animation affair over something more in line with his previous works. The director replied: “You’re being very kind. I don’t think it was a small percentage. I think it was a large percentage of people.”