Why Mufasa Didn't Forgive Scar In Mufasa: The Lion King

Mufasa had a chance to forgive his brother in Mufasa: The Lion King, but there is an important reason he couldn’t let go of the betrayal. The prequel movie aimed to expand Mufasa and Scar’s stories, ultimately explaining how the fratricide in the original The Lion King came to be. As it turns out, Mufasa and Taka (Scar’s true name) weren’t even biological brothers. The future king of the Pride lands was a lost orphan, while Taka was the heir to his father’s pride. They became immensely close in Mufasa: The Lion King, but Taka’s jealousy tore everything to pieces.

As Mufasa and Taka made the long journey to Milele, all the while being pursued by the white lion Outsiders, they met Sarabi, another royal lion on the run. Taka immediately took an interest in Sarabi, and Mufasa initially dedicated himself to helping his brother make a connection with the lioness. However, Mufasa and Sarabi wound up falling in love with each other instead. Taka felt betrayed, so he made a deal with the villain of Mufasa: The Lion King, Kiros. By the time Mufasa and co. arrived at Milele, Taka had led the Outsiders right to them. He regretted his decision, but Mufasa wasn’t entirely forgiving.

Scar’s Betrayal Is Too Severe For Mufasa To Forget

Attempted Murder Is A Pretty Big Deal

The ending of Mufasa: The Lion King revealed that Taka got his scar when he jumped in to defend Mufasa from Kiros. Of course, it was Taka’s fault that Kiros was there to attack Mufasa to begin with. While Scar obviously regretted his betrayal, Mufasa couldn’t bring himself to forgive his brother. Taka had attempted to condemn Mufasa to death simply for falling in love with a lioness he had liked first. It was a severe and dangerous overreaction to a relatively small conflict between brothers.

Mufasa loved Taka, but attempted murder was just too much to forgive, especially given the timing. Under their previous dynamic, with Taka as heir and Mufasa as his protector, the brothers might have been able to put all this behind them. However, as a new king in Mufasa: The Lion King, Mufasa’s choices were limited.

Mufasa’s Punishment For Scar Comes At A Pivotal Time

Mufasa Had To Set The Standard For His Leadership

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

It never would have been easy for Mufasa to forgive Scar—murder is a pretty big deal—but he may have managed it if he hadn’t just become king of Milele. Under ordinary circumstances, Scar attempting to sacrifice himself to save Mufasa might have earned him redemption. Young Taka had been too terrified to save even his own mother, but he found the courage to protect Mufasa. There must have been love there, and surely Mufasa could recognize this. However, as a new young king, Mufasa couldn’t ignore Scar’s betrayal.

Taka changed his name to Scar as a sign of repentance, drawing attention to the wound he received because of his betrayal.

When Scar bowed before Mufasa and begged mercy at the end of Mufasa: The Lion King, many of the animal subjects of Milele were present. In a significant way, this was Mufasa’s first action as king, and he had to make a statement. He chose to be a merciful king, allowing Scar to remain in the Pride Lands and be recognized as his brother. However, being too lenient with Scar would have made Mufasa look weak. Ultimately, the new lion king made the only choice he could at that moment. Though he didn’t know it, this choice solidified Mufasa’s own death in The Lion King.

How The Lion King Would Be Different If Mufasa Had Forgiven Scar

Things Could Have Improved Between Scar & Mufasa

Scar Mufasa Movie and Original Lion King Death Custom Image — Custom Image by Kevin Erdmann

We entered into Mufasa: The Lion King knowing how Mufasa and Taka‘s story would end. Things would fall apart between these two brothers, and Scar would murder Mufasa to claim his place as king of the Pride Lands. The villain clearly had no love left for Mufasa in The Lion King, but it’s evident in the prequel that this wasn’t always the case. Even when Taka took on the name Scar, he still loved his brother. He had betrayed him but also jumped in the way of Kiro’s attack just to save Mufasa. Perhaps if Mufasa had forgiven Scar, this love would have lasted far longer.

If Mufasa had forgiven Scar and fostered that sliver of love between them, the tragic fratricide of The Lion King might never have happened.

If Mufasa had forgiven Scar and fostered that sliver of love between them, the tragic fratricide of The Lion King might never have happened. Of course, then there would be no story. It’s evident throughout Mufasa: The Lion King and The Lion King that Mufasa made the best choices that he could. Now, as the Disney franchise inevitably continues, all Simba could do was learn from his father’s mistakes.