Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Mufasa: The Lion King!

Simba and Nala have a new son in Mufasa: The Lion King has continued the live action series' success, it wouldn't be surprising for more The Lion King movies to enter production, and Simba and Nala's new son could play a big part in them.

Unlike its 2019 predecessor, Mufasa: The Lion King is an original story, with it telling a never before seen tale of how Mufasa became king. The story tracks Mufasa's childhood and his relationship with his adoptive brother Taka, who would later become Scar. Outside of its prequel narrative, Mufasa: The Lion King also features a framing device, with Rafiki, Timon, and Pumbaa telling the story of Mufasa's origins to Simba's daughter, Kiara. However, Kiara isn't the only lion cub seen in this framing device, as the end of the film also reveals the existence of another one of Simba's children.

Simba & Nala's Son Being Born In Mufasa's Ending Sets Up More Lion King Stories

Could He Be Kion?

Simba and Nala's son is born in Mufasa: The Lion King, and while this may seem like nothing more than a nod to fans of the animated The Lion King projects, it actually sets up the future of the live-action movies. The live-action The Lion King series can use this new child to go back to telling sequel stories, as a new heir to the throne has been established. This means that Simba can fill the role of Mufasa in a potential sequel to 2019's The Lion King, with their new child filling the role that Simba once did.

In the lore of the animated The Lion King universe, a lot is already known about this new son of Simba and Nala. His name is Kion, and he is the protagonist of the animated The Lion King TV series, The Lion Guard. In the series, the Lion Guard is a royal group that protects the Pride Lands and the circle of life, with Kion being the head of the group due to his royal lineage. Three seasons of stories surrounding Kion have been told in The Lion Guard, and the live-action series could adapt some of these for a future movie.

Simba & Nala's Son Helps Set Up A Live-Action Version Of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride

& The Animated TV Series

Simba and Nala's son does more than just set up the story of a The Lion Guard adaptation, as it also helps set up a live-action version of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride. In the animated universe, The Lion King II: Simba's Pride is the direct sequel to the original The Lion King, with it focusing on Kiara as she falls in love with an outsider lion named Kovu. It has been speculated that a live-action adaptation of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride will be happening at some point, as the well-received sequel is the obvious way to expand on the live-action series.

Kion is not in the original The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, but his confirmed existence in the live-action universe still helps the movie's chances. The Lion Guard actually reveals where Kion was during the events of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, meaning that he could have an impact on the story. The live-action universe can use this opportunity to clean up the messy The Lion King timeline, adapting both parts of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride's story into one cohesive narrative.

Disney Is Unlikely To Waste The Franchise Potential Simba & Nala's Son Offers The Lion King

He Could Be The Future Of The Lion King

Disney wouldn't have given Simba and Nala a new son for a new reason, so it is likely that he will play a big role in the future of The Lion King franchise. Kion and Kiara could be at the center of massive The Lion King sequels and spinoffs, allowing the live-action universe to continue forward. The framing device in Mufasa: The Lion King seems like it was only a tease of what was to come, with it being used to set up a much bigger slate of future The Lion King projects.