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Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jun 25, 2014 14:10:42 GMT -6
variety.com/2014/film/news/ben-kingsley-the-jungle-book-disney-1201246773/Ben Kingsley has been tapped to voice Bagheera in Disney’s new live-action take on “The Jungle Book,” directed by Jon Favreau. Idris Elba is on board to voice Shere Khan and Scarlett Johansson is set to voice Kaa. Based on the Rudyard Kipling book, the story follows an orphan boy raised in the jungle with the help of a pack of wolves, a bear and a black panther. Kingsley will voice the loyal black panther who watches over Mowgli. Disney is in a bit of a race with Warner Bros., which is also working on a “Jungle Book” film with Andy Serkis at the helm. Favreau will produce along with Brigham Taylor with Justin Marks writing. Kingsley recently wrapped production on Fox’s bible epic “Exodus: Gods and Kings.” He is repped by CAA and Independent Talent Group.
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Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jul 15, 2014 17:46:07 GMT -6
variety.com/2014/film/news/disney-finds-its-mowgli-in-newcomer-neel-sethi-for-the-jungle-book-1201262747/Disney has cast newcomer Neel Sethi as Mogwli in “The Jungle Book.” Jon Favreau is directing the live action film from a script by Justin Marks. The 10-year-old Sethi, from New York, was chosen from among thousands of kids who auditioned for the role in the U.S., the U.K., New Zealand and Canada. “The Jungle Book” will be Sethi’s first acting role. “Casting is the most important element of any film and finding the right kid to play Mowgli was imperative,” Favreau said in a statement. “Neel has tremendous talent and charisma. There is a lot riding on his little shoulders and I’m confident he can handle it.” Casting director Sarah Finn described Sethi as embodying “the heart, humor, and daring of the character. He’s warm and accessible, yet also has an intelligence well beyond his years and impressed us all with his ability to hold his own in any situation. Even though he has no professional acting experience, his natural charisma and instincts jumped out at us.” Sethi will be the only actor seen on screen in the film, with the rest of the characters created as computer-generated creatures. Disney will release “The Jungle Book” on Oct. 9, 2015.
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Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Aug 1, 2014 21:46:40 GMT -6
variety.com/2014/film/news/bill-murray-to-voice-baloo-the-bear-in-the-jungle-book-1201274039/Bill Murray has joined the cast of Disney’s “The Jungle Book” as the voice of Baloo the Bear. Previously announced cast include Christopher Walken as King Louie, Giancarlo Esposito as Akela, Ben Kingsley and Lupita Nyong’o as Bagheera and Raksha, respectively; Idris Elba as Shere Khan; Scarlett Johansson as Kaa; and newcomer Neel Sethi as Mowgli. “The Jungle Book” will combine live-action and animation with Jon Favreau directing from a script by Justin Marks. The film will be released in 3D and open on Oct. 9, 2015. In Rudyard Kipling’s original book, Baloo and the panther Bagheera teach the law of the jungle to the boy Mowgli — and save him from Shere Khan the tiger. Baloo’s character was popularized in Disney’s animated 1967 cartoon, thanks to the song “The Bare Necessities,” sung by Phil Harris. Disney announced Murray’s casting Friday, a few hours after Warner Bros. announced that it had dated its rival project “Jungle Book: Origins” for Oct. 21, 2016. Kipling’s book is in the public domain.
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