Is it really a bare necessity to release two live-action remakes of The Jungle Book within two years? I would have originally thought “no,” but the trailer for Mowgli shows a darker side of the popular story that has certainly piqued my interest.
Just two years ago, Walt Disney Pictures released their live-action version of The Jungle Book and it was met with critical acclaim. So much so, that it is the 38th highest grossing film of all time. The visual effects, musical score, and comparability to the original were praised by fans and critics alike. The film even won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. With all of these accolades, you would think there would be no Jungle Book left to tell. Well director Andy Serkis, best known bringing life to digitally constructed characters such as Gollum in Lord Of The Rings, is taking a crack at the story, this time written by Callie Kloves. While the premise of the film is the same, there seems to be an added focus on the cultural background of the principal character. The film also promises to be a darker adaption of the original, which should draw a more mature audience. With Serkis leading the way, you can bet that the CGI components of the film are exceptional as well. While the Disney version had an all star cast with Idris Elba, Bill Murray, and Lupita N’Yongo, Serkis’ version pulls no punches and has A-listers Cate Blanchett, Christian Bale and Benedict Cumberbatch taking the lead.
While I may have hoped for another rendition of Cinderella…ain’t nobody done it like you Rodgers and Hammerstein…Mowgli looks like an exciting film. It’s hard to say if the world needs another retelling of the classic, but the film definitely has some money behind it which might make it worthwhile. Take a look at the trailer below and decide for yourself!
Mowgli hits theaters on October 19th!