Although Disney’s The Jungle Book from Jon Favreau was a certifiable smash, there was something missing from the utterly charming tale — darkness. Ruyard Kipling’s classic book was always one to appeal to children, but it was with a tad of devilish evil fear that the jungle possessed that the two Mouse House versions missed, and rightfully so, given their audience.
Andy Serkis has gone behind the camera and is delivering a stunning-looking version of Kipling’s book, from what we can see from the Mowgli first trailer. Given the moniker of the film, the focus is still clearly on the boy-cub who is born in the jungle and raised by its inhabitants, especially a pack of wolves and mentorship by a black panther. All of the elements of Kipling’s iconic tale are her in this first trailer from Serkis’ directing debut. And yes, it looks stunning.
Christian Bale voices the panther Bagheera, Cate Blanchett ups the ante on Scarlett Johansson, who voiced the sinister snake Kaa in the Disney version. Blanchett, as seen and heard in the trailer above, gives menacing new meaning! Benedict Cumberbatch is the terrifying tiger, Shere Khan, Naomie Harris is Nisha—the female wolf who first adopts baby Mowgli all those years ago. Not to be outdone by the mo-cop performance of his cast, the mo-cap artist in residence, Serkis, tackles the part of the beloved bear Baloo.
Mowgli opens October 19.