Andy Serkis’ Jungle Book film Mowgli has found a new home – the Warner Bros production will be coming directly to streaming services, having been picked up by Netflix. The film has been complete for a while, having gone into production at a similar time to Disney’s ‘live-action’ version directed by Jon Favreau. While Serkis’ take – a darker adaptation hewing more closely to the original story – was originally slated for a cinema release this October, it’s now heading to Netflix worldwide in 2019 instead of getting a traditional theatrical run.
According to Serkis, some form of cinema release will still be on the cards for the 3D version of the film. “I’m really excited about Netflix for Mowgli,” he said. “Now, we avoid comparisons to the other movie and it’s a relief not to have the pressure. I’ve seen the 3D version, and it’s exceptional, a different view from the 2D version, really lush and with great depth, and there will be some kind of theatrical component for that.” He added: “It was always meant to be PG-13, and this allows us to go deeper, with darker themes, to be scary and frightening in moments […] This way of going allows us to get the film out without compromise.”
Serkis’ film boasts a starry cast, with Christian Bale as Bagheera, Cate Blanchett as Kaa, Benedict Cumberbatch as Shere Khan, and Naomie Harris as Nisha. Elsewhere Serkis himself plays Baloo, while Peter Mullan, Jack Reynor, Eddie Marsan and Tom Hollander round out the animal cast. In the title role is relative newcomer Rohan Chand.
No official date has been confirmed for the Netflix release. Read Serkis’ breakdown of the film’s first trailer here.
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