D23 Interviews: Jon Favreau and The Jungle Book Cast

Interviews with Jon Favreau and The Jungle Book cast

Amidst things like Star Wars and Captain America: Civil War, fans at Disney’s D23 Expo in Anaheim, California may not have been expecting to be blown away by footage from The Jungle Book, the live-action/CGI version of the animated classic. It was easily the biggest surprise of the Expo outside of the two upcoming Star Wars-based theme parks. Getting to hear the voice of Bill Murray as Baloo the Bear singing “The Bear Necessities” was a highlight of the event.

Directed by Jon Favreau (Iron Man), the film is based on Rudyard Kipling’s story as well as the animated film. It’s described as follows: “The Jungle Book is an all-new, live-action 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. 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.”

ComingSoon.net got a chance to chat with Favreau, Sethi and Kingsley backstage at the big event. Favreau talked about bringing the classic animated film to life and what a thrill it was to finally see it all on the big screen after all his work. He also talked about finding the right kid to carry a movie like this and how wonderful Sethi was to work with. Sethi told us how excited he was to work with big names like this and Kingsley talked about bringing the humanity to a character like this and why working with Sethi in person made a huge difference.

Check out the video below and stay tuned to ComingSoon.net’s D23 Expo Hub for more news and information from the event. The Jungle Book will hit theaters on April 15, 2016.

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THE JUNGLE BOOK - King Louie is a formidable ape who desperately wants the secret of Man's deadly "red flower"--fire. He's convinced Mowgli has the information he seeks. "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."

Photo by: Sarah Dunn. ©2016 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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THE JUNGLE BOOK - Bagheera is a sleek panther who feels it's his duty to help the man-cub depart with dignity when it's time for him to leave his jungle home. "Bagheera is Mowgli’s adoptive parent," says Ben Kingsley, who lends his voice to Bagheera. "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."

Photo by: Sarah Dunn. ©2016 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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THE JUNGLE BOOK - Voiced by Idris Elba, Shere Khan bears the scars of man, which fuel his hatred of humans. Convinced that Mowgli poses a threat, the bengal tiger is determined to rid the jungle of the man-cub. "Shere Khan reigns with fear," says Elba. "He terrorizes everyone he encounters because he comes from a place of fear."

Photo by: Sarah Dunn. ©2016 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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THE JUNGLE BOOK - Kaa is a massive python who uses her voice and hypnotic gaze to entrance Mowgli. The man-cub can't resist her captivating embrace. "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."

Photo by: Sarah Dunn. ©2016 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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THE JUNGLE BOOK - Lupita Nyong'o voices Raksha, a mother wolf who cares deeply for all of her pups—including man-cub Mowgli, whom she adopts as one of her own when he's abandoned in the jungle as an infant. "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."

Photo by: Sarah Dunn. ©2016 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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THE JUNGLE BOOK - Akela is the strong and hardened alpha-male wolf who shoulders the responsibility of his pack. He welcomes Mowgli to the family, but worries he may one day compromise their safety. "Akela is a fierce patriarch of the wolf pack," says Giancarlo Esposito, who voices the character. "He believes the strength of the pack lies in what each and every wolf offers. He's a great leader, a wise teacher."

Photo by: Sarah Dunn. ©2016 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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