Jon Favreau’s adaptation of THE JUNGLE BOOK over at Disney is looking to cast both Scarlett Johansson and Lupita Nyong’o. Favreau worked with Johansson on IRON MAN 2 and his upcoming CHEF, while everyone just wants to work with Nyong’o. The two join the already cast Idris Elba as the voice of Shere Khan. Johansson is up for the role of snake Kaa, while Nyong’o could be voicing the adoptive mother of protagonist Mowgli, a wolf named Rakcha.
This isn’t Disney’s first attempt at adaptating Rudyard Kipling’s novel, nor is it their second. The House Of Mouse has created two animated films based on the material, with the classic 1967 film boasting some incredible songs, as well as a 1990s live-action versions. I’m most intrigued by Johansson as Kaa at this point, as I’m used to the Winnie The Pooh sounding rendition supplied by the wonderful Sterling Holloway. Having a more seductive Kaa may reduce the need for hypnosis, although having a sexy snake is just weird.
With a screenplay by Justin Marks and a mixture of live-action and CG on the cards, the film is set for release on 15th October 2015. Meanwhile there’s stiff competition from Warner Bros. who are also directing a version of THE JUNGLE BOOK, with Andy Serkis directing for them.
Source: THR
