Eager to reveal Jon Favreau’s animal kingdom in all its stunning majesty, Disney has today released the first part of a triptych poster for The Jungle Book.
Bringing Rudyard Kipling’s indelible tale to life like never before – quite literally, with the film’s blend of CG and practical effects – Favreau’s spin on a classic chronicles the early life of Mowgli (Neel Sethi), our favorite man-cub that sets out on a grand adventure after discovering that he is no longer accepted in the jungle by the vocal minority.
It’s a group headed up by Idris Elba’s glowering tiger Shere Khan. Sporting scars from his last encounter with humanity, Khan harbors a burning, all-consuming anger for all things man, and swears to kill Mowgli should the two ever cross paths. What this means for Sethi’s youngling is abandoning the only home he’s ever known, along with his wolf-parents, Raksha (Lupita Nyong’o) and Rama (Ralph Ineson), to embark on an old-school coming-of-age journey.
Joining Ineson, Nyong’o and Sethi for the adventure romp are Scarlett Johansson, Idris Elba, Bill Murray, Christopher Walken, and Ben Kingsley. A star-studded cast, no doubt, and we’re holding out hope that Favreau takes full advantage of the A-listers at his disposal in a few months’ time.
The Jungle Book opens in theaters on April 15. Be sure to check back later in the week as the House of Mouse pieces together the remaining two parts of the film’s lush, triptych poster.
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).