Walt Disney has unveiled a fascinating new photo set that features the voice stars of The Jungle Book, alongside their animal character counterparts. One could say, they’re their totem animals!
With the release of the photos, Disney also gave us some quotes from many of the voice talents that truly gives us a window into the characters they play, much more than we could glean from that The Jungle Book trailer.
The below photos feature Idris Elba, Ben Kingsley, Christopher Walken, Scarlett Johnasson and many more.
The Jungle Book is the Jon Favreau directed live action/CGI epic based on the iconic animation film from the storied film studio. It focus on Mowgli (Neel Sethi), a child who has been raised by a family of wolves. When he feels he is no longer welcome in the jungle, he leaves on the legendary journey of self-discovery.
Here’s what each performer had to say about their characters. “Shere Khan reigns with fear,” Elba said. “He terrorizes everyone he encounters because he comes from a place of fear.”
“She is the protector, the eternal mother,” says Nyong’o. “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.”
“King Louie is huge–12 feet tall,” says Christopher Walken, who voices the character. “But he’s as charming as he is intimidating when he wants to be.”
“Kaa seduces and entraps Mowgli with her storytelling,” says Scarlett Johansson. “She’s the mirror into Mowgli’s past. The way she moves is very alluring, almost coquettish.”
“Bagheera is Mowgli’s adoptive parent,” says Ben Kingsley. “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.”
The highly anticipated spring release lands in theaters April 15, 2016.