Director Barry Jenkins has addressed nepotism claims surrounding Blue Ivy Carter’s role in the upcoming Disney film, Mufasa: The Lion King.
During the film’s Los Angeles premiere on Monday, Dec. 9, Jenkins said Blue Ivy’s casting was based on her talent, not her famous parents, according to People.
“Her parents weren’t involved in her booking this film,” he told the magazine.
“You know, she had read this book, this audiobook Hair Love with my friend [filmmaker] Matthew Cherry. And I just really loved her voice. Because [when] this movie begins, it’s all voices. I could just tell that she was going to bring this really wonderful innocence, but also the knowingness of a highly evolved child,” Jenkins added.
Related: Jay-Z Makes Surprise Appearance at ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ Premiere
The audio book Jenkins is referring to, was turned into an animated short film that won an Oscar.
In Mufasa, Blue Ivy, 12, joins her mother, Beyoncé, who reprises her role as Nala. Donald Glover returns as Simba. Blue Ivy plays Kiara, the daughter of Nala and Simba.
“The children in the audience, they’re going to see themselves in the character she plays, Kiara. She just brought all the complexity that it demanded,” Jenkins said.
The director also praised Blue Ivy’s professionalism, sharing that she displayed a strong work ethic during production. “It was great working with her. She came extremely prepared,” he said.
Aaron Pierre leads the film’s cast as the voice of Mufasa, and Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen reprise their roles as Timon and Pumbaa. The voice cast also includes Tiffany Boone, and Kelvin Harrison Jr.
As previously reported, the L.A. premiere was a family affair, with Beyoncé and Jay-Z walking the red carpet alongside Blue Ivy. Tina Knowles, was also present, helping her granddaughter get camera-ready.
The movie is a music-filled prequel to the 2019 blockbuster film, The Lion King.
Oscar-winning filmmaker Jenkins (Moonlight) directed the prequel. Tony Award-winning Broadway star Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote original songs the movie.
According to the official description, “Mufasa: The Lion King enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick.”
Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka, the heir to a royal bloodline.
Mufasa: The Lion King will hit theaters on Dec. 20.
