Aaron Pierre reminisces about his high school days when he took the stage to narrate a production of “Moby-Dick.” It was during this moment that he realized he wanted to pursue acting professionally.

At just 14, the young London native wasn’t yet equipped with the rich baritone he now uses as young Mufasa in the Disney prequel “Mufasa: The Lion King” (currently in theaters), a part originally made famous by James Earl Jones.

“Back then, my voice was quite high, and I had a really high-pitched laugh. I think I still retain the high laugh a bit, but it took some time for my voice to change. When it finally did, I wasn’t quite sure how to handle it,” Pierre humorously shares. “But we’re good now.”

This year marks a significant milestone for Pierre, who has appeared in “Mufasa” director Barry Jenkins’ miniseries “The Underground Railroad” and M. Night Shyamalan’s film “Old.” In 2024, he portrayed Malcolm X in the miniseries “Genius: MLK/X” (alongside “Lion King” co-star Kelvin Harrison Jr.), played an ex-Marine in the Netflix thriller “Rebel Ridge,” and lent his voice to Mufasa on his journey to leadership.

In the original 1994 film (and its 2019 remake), the older Mufasa is depicted as wise and revered in his community, Pierre, 30, explains. “However, in this story, we meet him long before he achieves that status. We learn about his past as an orphan who faced isolation, ridicule, and disrespect.”

“If I were younger and watching this, I would find it truly inspiring to see his struggles and how he turned them into strengths, eventually becoming a great king. There’s a sense of joy in that journey,” he adds.

Here’s more information about Pierre for those who are just discovering him:

Singing Disney Songs: A New Challenge for ‘Mufasa’ Star Aaron Pierre

Prior to his work in “Mufasa,” singing was something Pierre only did privately at home. “I would practice singing when no one was around,” he jokes. He enjoyed the opportunity to perform three new songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda for the film. “It felt like a little training session to unlock my vocal abilities,” Pierre shares humorously. “I hope the embarrassing footage of my early attempts doesn’t surface! It was quite the struggle, but we eventually nailed it.”

Pierre is a fan of jazz music and often finds himself humming to the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Sam Cooke, and Marvin Gaye while enjoying one of his two record players. He appreciates vinyl records for their unique experience: “You can’t skip or rewind; you just have to listen. It’s refreshing, especially in our fast-paced world.”

The British ‘Lion King’ Actor’s Early Years

As a child, Pierre dreamed of being an athlete, especially in track and field. One memorable day in London, he and his mother saw one of his heroes, American Olympic sprinter Maurice Greene, who was a world record holder for the 100 meters, which Pierre excelled in. “Back then, you couldn’t take selfies, so my mom gave me a grocery receipt to have him sign,” Pierre recalls. Unfortunately, he lost the signed receipt later, and that made him quite sad.

However, a pivotal moment occurred for him during his performance in “Moby-Dick.” “That experience sparked a strong desire in me to pursue acting,” Pierre reflects. “I realized how much I valued the audience’s choice to be there, gifting us their attention. It’s a commitment I carry with me: to give my all in return.”

Aaron Pierre’s Next Role: A Cosmic Heroic Officer in HBO’s ‘Lanterns’

Aaron Pierre is set to star as an artist in the supporting role of “The Morning Show,” which will debut its fourth season on Apple TV+. After that, he will begin filming “Lanterns,” a new sci-fi drama on HBO inspired by “True Detective,” situated within the revived DC superhero universe helmed by James Gunn. The narrative revolves around two human members of the Green Lantern Corps, Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Pierre), as they delve into a murder mystery on Earth.

Pierre has previously engaged in comic-based roles, including his appearance in the short-lived Syfy show “Krypton” and almost landing the role of Adam Warlock in Gunn’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (the role ultimately went to his “Underground Railroad” co-star, Will Poulter). However, to be cast as John Stewart, one of the pioneering Black superheroes in DC Comics, holds particular significance for him.

“He embodies strength and intelligence on both emotional and intellectual levels. He possesses clarity and has a profound comprehension of his identity,” Pierre expresses. “I feel truly fortunate to receive this opportunity.”