Disney's 'The Jungle Book' - April 15, 2016

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Official info:

Directed by Jon Favreau (“Chef,” “Iron Man,” “Elf”), 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 Johannsson), 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 all-star cast also includes Lupita Nyong’o as the voice of the fiercely protective mother wolf Raksha, and Giancarlo Esposito as the voice of wolf pack’s alpha male Akela. “The Jungle Book” seamlessly blends live-action with photorealistic CGI animals and environments, using up-to-the-minute technology and storytelling techniques to immerse audiences in an enchanting and lush world. The wild adventure swings into theaters in 3D on Oct. 9, 2015.

“The Jungle Book” is an all-new live-action epic adventure about Mowgli (newcomer Neel Sethi), a man-cub raised in the jungle by a family of wolves, who embarks on a captivating journey of self-discovery when he’s forced to abandon the only home he’s ever known.

Justin Marks, who wrote "The Raven" for Mark Wahlberg and Universal, is penning the adaptation of the Rudyard Kipling classic.

Disney is swinging into development on a live-action adaptation of The Jungle Book, Rudyard Kipling’s classic set of fables based in India. Justin Marks has been hired to pen the script.

The short story collection was published in 1894, and the majority of the tales focus on Mowgli, a young boy raised by wolves whose friends include a bear named Baloo and a panther by the name of Bagheera. One of the adversaries that pops up several times is Shere Khan, a mean tiger.

Disney famously adapted the stories in a 1967 animated film (it was the last film to be produced Walt Disney, who died during its production). The stories have also been adapted into numerous live-action and cartoon forms.

The Jungle Book stories are in the public domain and are so popular that Warner Bros. is currently developing its own Mowgli adventure. Steve Kloves, who wrote the majority of the Harry Potter movies, is writing that script.

Disney’s take is in the early stages and the project has no producers attached. A search for a director is currently under way.

Jungle Book is the latest title that was previously a Disney animated film but now is getting the live-action treatment. Alice in Wonderland started off the trend, grossing $1 billion in the process, and Maleficent, based on Sleeping Beauty, is in the can while Cinderella, under the direction of Kenneth Branagh, is readying for a fall shoot.

Marks has worked with Disney before, having penned an early draft of a 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea reboot which at the time was being produced by Sean Bailey, now the studio’s production president. He also wrote The Raven, based on the hot Internet short, which is being produced by Mark Wahlberg and has Ricardo de Montreuil directing for Gold Circle and Universal.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hea...-reboot-582283