Warner Bros. version of "The Jungle Book" live-action movie adaptation is well on its way as it started production two weeks ago.
According to UPI, The giant studio company is actively moving forward in bringing Rudyard Kipling's hit classic adventure novel to the big screen under the directorial debut of Andy Serkis, most notable for his roles in the hit movie franchises "The Lord of the Rings" and "Planet of the Apes."
While he had an experience serving second-unit director to some of Peter Jackson's movies, Warner Bros. "The Jungle Book" live-action movie would be his first solo stint as a helmer.
The official synopsis to "The Jungle Book" live-action movie reads:
"The story follows the upbringing of the human child Mowgli, raised by a wolf pack in the jungles of India. As he learns the often harsh rules of the jungle, under the tutelage of a bear named Baloo and a panther named Bagheera, Mowgli becomes accepted by the animals of the jungle as one of their own. All but one: the fearsome tiger Shere Khan. But there may be greater dangers lurking in the jungle, as Mowgli comes face to face with his human origins."
Just like its Disney counterpart, whose release date is on Oct. 9, 2015, Warner Bros. has an all-star cast to their version of the movie.
"The Imitation Game" star Benedict Cumberbatch, who has lend his voice to Smaug from "The Hobbit" trilogy and Necromancer to "The Lord of the Rings" franchise will lead the team as the tiger Shere Khan; Cate Blanchett, who also starred in "The Lord of the Rings," will lend her voice to the character of the powerful snake, Kaa; Christian Bale, whose portrayal of Bruce Wayne from two of the "Batman" movie series gained him critics recognition, will be the panther, Bagheera; Andy Serkis will not only be directing as he will also lend his voice to the beloved bear character, Baloo.
Joining the team are Peter Mullan as the wolf pack leader, Akela; Tom Hollander as the cunning scavenger hyena, Tabaqui.
The lead human cast Mowgli will be portrayed by newcomer Rohan Chand. His animal family includes Naomie Harris as her adopted wolf mother, Nisha; Eddie Marsan as his adopted father, Vihaan and Jack Reynor, who recently gained popularity in portraying the role of Shane in the latest edition of "Transformers" franchise, will play the role of Mowgli's older brother wolf.
Steve Kloves, who penned seven of the "Harry Potter" movie series will produce with Jonathan Cavendish and Nikki Penny as executive producers.
Callie Klove wrote the script based on Rudyard Kipling's novel.
The "Jungle Book" live-action movie adaptation of Warner Bros. is scheduled to hit theaters on Oct. 6, 2017, two years following Disney's version.
