If you ever needed proof of how ridiculously stacked the 2016 movie release calendar is, think on this: Up until this new trailer for Disney’s big budget live-action adaptation of The Jungle Book dropped at yesterday’s Superbowl, I had nearly all but forgot that it was still coming out. And really I shouldn’t have forgot a damn thing about this as it looks incredible!
Previous trailers have really only given us looks at all the jaw-dropping CG visuals and action that director Jon Favreau (Iron Man) had conjured up here, but this new trailer also serves up a whole lot of character work as well, as we finally get to hear what the film’s absolutely star studded cast sounds like in these iconic animal roles.
The Jungle Book offers an all-new, live-action/CGI epic adventure about Mowgli (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 (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 (Ben Kingsley), and the free-spirited bear Baloo (Bill Murray) . Along the way, Mowgli encounters jungle creatures who don’t exactly have his best interests at heart, including Kaa (Scarlett Johansson), a python who’s seductive voice and gaze hypnotizes the man-cub, and the smooth-talking King Louie (Christopher Walken), who tries to coerce Mowgli into giving up the secret to the elusive and deadly red flower: fire.
It still boggles my mind that the only thing you’re seeing in the entirety of that trailer that wasn’t created inside some animator’s computer is actually Neel Sethi as Mowgly. Every single other element visible is completely CG!
The Jungle Book is scheduled for release on April 15, 2016.
Last Updated: February 8, 2016