There are quite a few famous names we will hear but not see in Disney’s upcoming live-action take on The Jungle. All the animals will be CGI, but many will be voiced by well-known actors. It’s a great idea then to release a set of pics showing us the actors alongside their computer-generated counterparts.
The pics feature Idris Elba with Shere Khan, Scarlett Johansson with Kaa, Lupita Nyong’o with Raksha, Ben Kingsley with Bagheera, Christopher Walken with King Louie and Giancarlo Esposito with Akela.
Here’s the synopsis: ‘Directed by Jon Favreau (“Iron Man”), based on Rudyard Kipling’s timeless stories and inspired by Disney’s classic animated film, “The Jungle Book” is an all-new live-action epic adventure about Mowgli (newcomer Neel Sethi), a man-cub who’s been raised by a family of wolves. But Mowgli finds he is no longer welcome in the jungle when fearsome tiger Shere Khan (voice of Idris Elba), who bears the scars of Man, promises to eliminate what he sees as a threat.
‘Urged to abandon the only home he’s ever known, Mowgli embarks on a captivating journey of self-discovery, guided by panther-turned-stern mentor Bagheera (voice of Ben Kingsley), and the free-spirited bear Baloo (voice of Bill Murray). Along the way, Mowgli encounters jungle creatures who don’t exactly have his best interests at heart, including Kaa (voice of Scarlett Johansson), a python whose seductive voice and gaze hypnotizes the man-cub, and the smooth-talking King Louie (voice of Christopher Walken), who tries to coerce Mowgli into giving up the secret to the elusive and deadly red flower: fire.
The film will be in cinemas in April. Take a look at the new pics below.
Jon Favreau directed the wonderful Harrison Ford movie “Cowboys & Aliens” which I realize most folks didn’t like, but I did on account of having Harrison Ford AND Daniel Craig exuding maleness alongside special effects.
As to this movie, I don’t know if I want to see the humans behind the voices. I may need to watch it with the sound off so I don’t confuse the human with the animal — these performers have such powerful imagery of their own.