Andy Serkis is best known for his immense talent and cultivation of motion-capture in film. But for his most recent project, the actor has decided to step behind the camera. His directorial debut was with the 2017 feature “Breathe” starring Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy. Now, Serkis is taking audiences on a journey of a familiar story made famous by Disney. But this time, that story is darker and far more intense.
Audiences shouldn’t expect a singing bear or jubilant jungle creatures when “Mowgli” hits Netflix this December. A kind of origin story, the film is also a more ruthless retelling of the Disney classic, “The Jungle Book.” While Disney did have a successful jaunt with with the 2016 live-action re-imagining of the story, Serkis will give the tale a more sinister edge.
The film has a stacked cast of stars, featured in motion-capture roles, predominantly. Benedict Cumberbatch channeled his talents in motion-capture for the role of Smaug in “The Hobbit” films. He will do so again here as Shere Khan. Oscar-winners Cate Blanchett and Christian Bale will also dawn the dotted pajamas for roles as Kaa and Bagheera. Serkis will also step away from directing to play a more intense Baloo.
“Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle” hits select theaters on November 29 before launching globally on Netflix on December 7.
Here’s the trailer and the official synopsis:
Acclaimed actor and director Andy Serkis reinvents Rudyard Kipling’s beloved masterpiece, in which a boy torn between two worlds accepts his destiny and becomes a legend. Mowgli (Rohan Chand) has never truly belonged in either the wilds of the jungle or the civilized world of man. Now he must navigate the inherent dangers of each on a journey to discover where he truly belongs. Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Benedict Cumberbatch, Andy Serkis, Freida Pinto, Matthew Rhys and Naomie Harris lead an all-star cast along with newcomer Rohan Chand in this visually spectacular and emotionally moving adventure.