'Mufasa' Actor Braelyn Rankins Didn't Know Cast When He Recorded ... Figured It Would Attract Big Stars

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ROARING INTO THEATERS
TMZ.com

The star of "Mufasa: The Lion King" says he didn't know who most of his other costars were until earlier this year ... though he always figured the script would attract massive stars.

Braelyn Rankins -- voice of young Mufasa in the upcoming Disney "The Lion King" prequel -- was on "TMZ Live" for an interview Thursday ... and, he tells us he only knew limited information about the movie when he was filming his part.

Rankins tells us that -- outside of the actors he personally worked with -- he had no idea who would be in the film ... so no indication he would star alongside Beyoncé, her daughter Blue Ivy, Thandiwe Newton or the like.

Luigi Mangione Concert Crowd Thirsts For Him ... Pictures Used Onstage During Miley Song!!!

Luigi Mangione could be "the one" for a whole lotta people, it seems ... 'cause his photos drove a concert crowd into a frenzy -- all while a popular Miley Cyrus song played.

Here's the deal ... Bop to the Top Tour's Jingle Bop -- a concert series where DJs play popular Disney Channel hits -- stopped in Boston Friday night, and one disc jockey decided to combine current events with a classic track.

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Watch the clip ... Cyrus' song "He Could Be The One" -- recorded during her "Hannah Montana" days -- blares over the speakers while pictures of Mangione start to populate the screen.

50 Cent Mocks Jay-Z Going to 'Mufasa' Event ... What Rape Lawsuit?!?

Jay-Z is getting no mercy from 50 Cent, who pounced on the RocNation honcho for stepping out in Hollywood amid the lawsuit claiming he raped a 13-year-old girl.

50 wasted no time trolling ... moments after he saw Jay not only show up at Monday night's premiere for 'Mufasa,' but he happily posed for photos alongside Beyoncé and Blue Ivy, who are both in the 'Lion King' prequel.

In a post he's since deleted, 50 Cent captioned an image of the Carters at the premiere with ... "Jay said they said I rapped [sic] a kid, everybody get dressed we going to see Mufasa LOL.”

Jay-Z, Beyonce, Blue Ivy Family Affair at 'Mufasa' Premiere ... We're Not Laying Low

There was already a "Countdown" to Beyoncé and Blue Ivy's appearance at the "Mufasa" premiere before Jay-Z was hit with a sexual assault allegation ... so, all eyes were on the red carpet to see if the mother-daughter duo actually showed up Monday night. Not only did they show up but Jay-Z accompanied them.

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FAMILY UNITED
TMZ.com

All three family members were in attendance at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, where "The Lion King" prequel film had its highly anticipated premiere.

Their appearance spoke volumes in the wake of the troubling allegations against the Carter patriarch.

GOLDEN GLOBES NOMINATIONS 2025 Ex-Disney, Nickelodeon Child Stars Dominate!!! Selena, Zendaya, Ariana, Miley

Selena Gomez has come a long way from her Disney Channel days -- just like Zendaya, Miley Cyrus and Nickelodeon alum Ariana Grande, with all four former child stars getting nods for the 2025 Golden Globes.

The noms dropped Monday morning, and Selena snagged TWO -- She’s up for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a TV Series (Musical or Comedy) for "Only Murders in the Building" and Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture for Netflix’s "Emilia Pérez."

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CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!

Selena hit up her IG Stories to share her shock over her "Emilia Pérez" nom -- her reaction coming straight from bed as she processed the early morning news. For everyone else, though, no surprise there! "Emilia Pérez" was a critical darling, sweeping up 10 nominations -- the most at this year’s awards.

Tyler Posey Don't Clutch Your Mouse Ears!!! Steamboat Willie Horror Flick Won't Ruin Mickey

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SAME CHARACTERS, NEW SPIN
TMZ.com

Disney fans have nothing to worry about ... 'cause the upcoming horror flick based on "Steamboat Willie" is not going to undo any of Mickey's magic, says a star of "Screamboat."

Here's the deal ... the ultra-bloody indie horror movie takes the OG Mickey Mouse character and drops him in a slasher film -- all thanks to the character now being in the public domain.

Tyler Posey, who stars in "Screamboat," tells TMZ ... there is nothing for Mouseketeers to worry about ... 'cause the the killer rodent in his movie is clearly not Mickey.

'Loki' Star Jack Veal Sleeping on the Streets at 17 ... 'I Was Abused at Home'

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ASKING FOR HELP

British actor Jack Veal, known for his work in Disney+'s "Loki," is asking for help ... sharing he's currently living on the streets after allegedly experiencing abuse at home.

The 17-year-old star, who is also known for his work in "The End of the F***ing World" and "Tin Star," opened up about his situation in a troubling TikTok video posted Monday ... in which he confirmed his current state of homelessness.

Jack explained he was sharing his struggles for the first time, as he decided he was ready "to reveal the truth."

'Moana 2' SURFS PAST 'WICKED' AT THE BOX OFFICE!!! Shatters Thanksgiving Weekend Records

"Moana 2" showed just how far it would go over Thanksgiving weekend ... defying "Wicked" at the box office by a head-turning amount.

Disney's new movie debuted to a whopping $221 million domestically over the five-day weekend ... smashing previous Thanksgiving weekend box office records.

Moviegoers overseas have also been flocking to theaters to see what the "Moana" sequel has in store, landing at a projected total of $165.3 million in the international market.

DWAYNE 'THE ROCK' JOHNSON VISITS TROOPS IN HAWAII ... During Successful 'Moana 2' Opening Weekend

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson spent a heartfelt day giving thanks to the troops and their families in Hawaii during the very successful opening weekend of "Moana 2."

The actor and former WWE superstar, who voices Maui in the Disney franchise, visited Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Oahu on Saturday to connect with members of the military community.

Johnson shared moments from his visit on X writing, "Boundlessly grateful to all our military men and women & their families for their service. A great day to look you in your eyes and shake your hands 🫱🏾‍🫲🏼 and loved all the daps, hugs, tears, and selfies too. 👊🏾🤗🥹🤳🏾"

'Deadpool & Wolverine' Single Joke Disney Wanted Cut Finally Revealed! ... Request Came From Iger Himself

"Deadpool & Wolverine" had just one joke that went too far for Disney, so it was left on the cutting room floor ... and the dick joke is now out of the bag!

Here's the deal -- prior to the massive blockbuster's release, Ryan Reynolds said there was just one joke the Mouse House asked to be removed ... but he didn't want to say what it was at the time.

Thanks to Disney submitting the script for awards contention ... fans now know what the joke was ... "F***! What we can’t even afford one more X-Man? Disney is so cheap. I can barely breathe with all this Mickey Mouse cock in my throat.”

Pete Davidson, Colin Jost Staten Island Ferry Is 'Screamboat' ... Used For Horror Flick

Pete Davidson and Colin Jost's decommissioned Staten Island Ferry is going Hollywood ... 'cause their boat is featured in an upcoming horror movie about Steamboat Willie.

Production sources tell TMZ ... "Screamboat" was filmed entirely on Pete and Colin's bright orange ferry.

The indie horror movie takes the OG Mickey Mouse character and drops him in a gory film -- Steamboat Willie is now in the public domain so this is all kosher -- and our sources tell us so much fake blood was used during filming they had to hire a special cleaning crew for Pete and Colin's Staten Island Ferry.

Disney Discounts! Black Friday Deals on Mickey, Princesses & More

TMZ may collect a share of sales or other compensation from links on this page.

Black Friday has yet to begin ... but Amazon has kicked off the sales early with 12 full days of savings -- and Disney fans are about to save big!

We've pulled together some of the best deals of the year for Mouse House merch ... especially for fans who have little ones on the way. Whether you’re in the market for a Minnie Mouse stroller, Mickey Mouse bedding or want to treat yourself to some blinged out Disney earrings, Amazon has got you covered.

Disney Minnie Mouse Teeny Ultra Compact Stroller, Let's Go Minnie!

Bring the magic of Disney no matter where you go with the Minnie Mouse Teeny Ultra Compact Stroller!

Dwayne Johnson Bustin' 'Maui' Moves With Mom ... Dancing at 'Moana 2' Premiere

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BUSTIN' A MOVE!!!
TikTok/@disneyanimation

Dwayne Johnson's bringing his movie star boogie to Oahu ... busting a move with his beautiful dance partner -- his mother, Ata Johnson.

The actor hit Aulani -- a Disney resort on the west side of the Hawaiian island -- where the world premiere of 'M2' took place Thursday evening ... and, he made it a family affair with his daughters, wife Lauren Hashian, and his mom.

The Rock, who plays the character Maui in the movie, has been famous for a long time ... which probably helped put his mom at ease -- 'cause she started showing off her dance moves, grooving to the beat as her son looked on.

Hunter Biden Unbothered By Looming Federal Sentences ... Has Happy Day at Disneyland!!!

Hunter Biden didn't let his pending federal sentences keep him from having a good time at Disneyland ... hitting up the Southern California theme park for an action-packed day.

Check it out ... President Joe Biden's son was all smiles while visiting Disneyland with his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, and son Beau -- who was named after Hunter's late brother.

The First Son was joined Friday by some friends and, of course, a handful of Secret Service agents, who kept the family safe as they enjoyed everything the theme park had to offer ... including a jaunt on the Peter Pan ride and Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railroad.

Megyn Kelly Disney Needs To Dump Rachel Zegler Over Anti-Trump Rant ... She's A Pig!!!

Megyn Kelly didn’t hold back ... calling actress Rachel Zegler "a pig" after the "Snow White" star made a fiery Instagram post wishing Trump supporters would "never know peace" post-election.

Rachel's since apologized following the backlash ... but the conservative commentator ripped into her on SiriusXM Thursday, while calling for Disney to redo their entire live-action remake of the classic cartoon, which has already been filmed with Zegler in the lead role.

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Megyn fumed, "Picture this, a Broadway actress who said, 'F Biden supporters, may Biden and Kamala never know peace.' That person would be fired so fast it would make your head spin."

Skai Jackson's Baby Daddy Arrested for Parole Violation Flees on Foot, Falls Flat

Skai Jackson's baby daddy, Deondre Burgin, is having one hell of a week … the Disney Channel alum's boyfriend was arrested a day after his social media was allegedly hacked.

According to an arrest report obtained by TMZ … Jackson’s fella was arrested in Cincinnati, Ohio Wednesday afternoon following a faceoff with police. The arrest report says Cincinnati police officers tried to arrest Burgin on a juvenile parole violation warrant … but he ran off when confronted by cops and then fell, causing a small cut on his left cheek.

The encounter was caught on video. Check it out … officers are seen wrestling Burgin to the ground, slapping cuffs on him, and pinning him down while waiting for backup to arrive.