The Oscars just dashed Lin-Manuel Miranda’s chances for earning an EGOT for his work on Mufasa: The Lion King. The prequel/sequel to The Lion King has proven to be an enduring force at the box office, but it hasn’t received the kind of awards buzz that even 2019’s The Lion King was able to generate for visual effects. Mufasa: The Lion King‘s best chance at the Academy Awards was in the Best Original Song category, with the original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda serving as a highlight of the film.

Beyond being one of Walt Disney Studios’ only films to be shortlisted for an Oscar this year, it would have also been the perfect opportunity for Lin-Manuel Miranda to accomplish one of the hardest feats in the world of entertainment. However, the 97th Academy Awards nominations have dashed those hopes. This means Miranda will have to try again in a different year to achieve that honor.

Lin-Manuel Miranda Didn’t Get An Oscar Nomination For Mufasa: The Lion King

Mufasa: The Lion King Was Shortlisted For A Best Original Song Oscar, But Didn’t Get The Nomination

Lin-Manuel Miranda might eventually become an EGOT winner, but his hopes of earning that distinction with one of his songs from Mufasa: The Lion King have been dashed by the Academy Awards. Mufasa: The Lion King was the latest Disney project to recruit the Hamilton creator following successful collaborations through Moana and Enacnto. Miranda wrote the songs for the The Lion King spin-off, building off the legacy of the original film (which won an Oscar for Best Original Song, “Can You Feel The Love Tonight”). Miranda was even shortlisted as a potential nominee for “Tell Me It’s You.”

Sung between Mufasa and Sarabi, “Tell Me It’s You” is the new film’s equivalent to “Can You Feel The Love Tonight.” However, it faced stiff compeтιтion in the category, including from EGOT winner Elton John, who actually won an Oscar for his own work on the original version of The Lion King. Miranda was one of the many musicians who ended up losing out on a nomination, which was split between legendary musicians like John as well as two songs from Emilia Pérez. It’s a particularly notable loss for Miranda because an Oscar win would earn one of the most prestigious honors in entertainment.

Lin-Manuel Miranda Just Needs An Oscar To Become An EGOT Holder

Miranda Has Already Earned Multiple Tony, Emmy, And Grammy Awards

While Lin-Manuel Miranda has plenty of film experience, his time on Broadway and behind-the-scenes as a lyricist has earned him a host of accolades. In fact, Miranda is one of the relatively few people working today with three-quarters of an EGOT. EGOT holders are the handful of creatives who have earned an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony. Miranda has earned several awards for his work on musicals like Hamilton. In fact, that historical musical earned him a Tony and a Grammy, while a prerecorded version released on Disney+ earned him a Primetime Emmy.

Miranda still hasn’t won an Oscar yet, though. That’s not for lack of trying, either. Miranda has so far received two Academy Award nominations, both for Best Original Song. However, “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana and “Dos Oruguitas” from Encanto failed to win the award in 2017 and 2022 respectively. “Tell Me It’s You” gave him another chance at a nomination, but stiff compeтιтion from artists like Elton John, coupled with the Academy’s embrace of Emilia Pérez to the tune of two Best Original Song nominations, means Miranda will have to wait at least another year to complete his EGOT.

What Could Lin-Manuel Miranda Win An Oscar For?

Lin-Manuel Miranda Doesn’t Have Any Big Movies Coming Up

Given his relative youth and high output of work, its likely that Miranda will have more opportunities to earn himself an Oscar (and subsequently an EGOT). However, it might not be soon. Miradna’s only in-development film currently listed on IMDB is a starring role in The Making Of alongside Richard Gere, Diane Keaton, and Blake Lively. However, that film was announced in 2020 and has seemingly spent several years in development hell. Lin-Manuel Miranada’s next confirmed project would be a perfect vehicle to win him an Oscar, but it’s not currently planned as a film.

Building off the momentum of a successful concept album release in 2024, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Davis’ musical version of Warriors is currently being adapted into a full-stage play. A prospective film adaptation of the Walter Hill film could feature new songs from Miranda that could become Oscar contenders. Miranda could also sign onto other upcoming Disney projects and continue his streak of earning nominations for writing songs for their animated films. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s talents make him a likely EGOT winner at some point, but that distinction won’t come about because of his work on Mufasa: The Lion King.