Brand new special shoot images featuring the cast ofDisney’sThe Jungle Bookhave arrived. FeaturingIdris Elba,Scarlett Johansson,Lupita Nyong’o, SirBen Kingsley,Christopher WalkenandGiancarlo Esposito, each image pairs the actor with their onscreen character. As well, we have quotes from the actors to share.
Voiced byIdris Elba,Shere Khanbears the scars of man, which fuel his hatred of humans. Convinced thatMowgliposes a threat, the bengal tiger is determined to rid the jungle of the man-cub. Says Elba about his character.
“Shere Khan reigns with fear. He terrorizes everyone he encounters because he comes from a place of fear.”
Lupita Nyong’ovoicesRaksha, a mother wolf who cares deeply for all of her pups-including man-cub Mowgli, whom she adopts as one of her own when he’s abandoned in the jungle as an infant. says Nyong’o.
“She is the protector, the eternal mother. The word Raksha actually means protection in Hindi. I felt really connected to that, wanting to protect a son that isn’t originally hers but one she’s taken for her own.”
Kaais a massive python who uses her voice and hypnotic gaze to entrance Mowgli. The man-cub can’t resist her captivating embrace. SaysScarlett Johansson.
“Kaa seduces and entraps Mowgli with her storytelling,““She’s the mirror into Mowgli’s past. The way she moves is very alluring, almost coquettish.”
King Louie is a formidable ape who desperately wants the secret of Man’s deadly “red flower”-fire. He’s convinced Mowgli has the information he seeks. SaysChristopher Walkenabout his character.
“King Louie is huge-12 feet tall. But he’s as charming as he is intimidating when he wants to be.”
Akela is the strong and hardened alpha-male wolf who shoulders the responsibility of his pack. He welcomes Mowgli to the family, but worries he may one day compromise their safety. saysGiancarlo Esposito, who voices the character.
“Akela is a fierce patriarch of the wolf pack. He believes the strength of the pack lies in what each and every wolf offers. He’s a great leader, a wise teacher.”
Bagheera is a sleek panther who feels it’s his duty to help the man-cub depart with dignity when it’s time for him to leave his jungle home. SaysBen Kingsley, who lends his voice to Bagheera.
“Bagheera is Mowgli’s adoptive parent. His role in Mowgli’s life is to educate, to protect and to guide. My Bagheera was military-he’s probably a colonel. He is instantly recognizable by the way he talks, how he acts and what his ethical code is.”
Directed by Jon Favreau, based on Rudyard Kipling’s timeless stories and inspired by Disney’s classic animated film,The Jungle Bookis 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, 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, and the free-spirited bear Baloo. Along the way, Mowgli encounters jungle creatures who don’t exactly have his best interests at heart, including Kaa, a python whose seductive voice and gaze hypnotizes the man-cub, and the smooth-talking King Louie, who tries to coerce Mowgli into giving up the secret to the elusive and deadly red flower: fire. 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.
