It’s been a while since we’ve heard an update on Warner Bros.The Jungle Bookmovie. Warners may have announced their project first, but Disney got theirs in front of audiences faster. AfterJon Favreau’s 2015 live-action/CG adaptation of theRudyard Kiplingclassic triumphed at the box office and took home an Oscar for VFX, the Warner Bros. iteration, anAndy Serkishelmed mo-cap vehicle, fell off the map while the studio went back to the books to redevelop the project,reportedly with the help ofGravitydirectorAlfonso Cuaron.
However, with Favreau busy on Disney’sThe Lion Kingremake, which means hisJungle Booksequel is well in the distance, it looks like the wheels are in motion on Serkis' adaptation once again. Previously titledJungle Book: Origins, the Warner film has been retitledMowglialong with the reveal of the first synopsis.
Here’s the official and very familiar synopsis:
“The story follows the upbringing of the human child Mowgli, raised by a wolf pack in the jungles of India. As he learns the often harsh rules of the jungle, under the tutelage of a bear named Baloo and a panther named Bagheera, Mowgli becomes accepted by the animals of the jungle as one of their own. All but one: the fearsome tiger Shere Khan. But there may be greater dangers lurking in the jungle, as Mowgli comes face to face with his human origins.”
Though the core of the story is the same, Serkis previouslydescribed his project as a “darker” take on the material. The script comes from Callie Kloves and film will combine live-action and motion capture technology to bring the world of Kipling’s adventures to life. In fact, the technology is the most interesting comparison to be made between the two remakes – Favreau and the Disney team opted to steer clear of mo-cap in favor of pure CGI animation, and I’ll be fascinated to see if a mo-cap craftsman like Serkis can bring something different to the material.
Mowgliwill featureChristian Baleas the cunning panther, Bagheera;Cate Blanchettas the sinister snake, Kaa;Benedict Cumberbatchas the fearsome tiger, Shere Khan;Naomie Harrisas Nisha, the female wolf, who adopts the baby Mowgli as one of her cubs;Andy Serkisas the wise bear, Baloo;Peter Mullanas the leader of the wolf pack, Akela;Jack Reynoras Mowgli’s Brother Wolf;Eddie Marsanas Nisha’s mate, Vihaan; andTom Hollanderas the scavenging hyena, Tabaqui.
On the human side,Matthew Rhysis Lockwood;Freida Pintois Messua; and young actorRohan Chand(Bad Words) will play Mowgli, the boy raised by wolves.
The film is slated to land in theaters in 2D and 3D on August 05, 2025.
