What if The Jungle Book had never been made and released way back in 1967? What if instead, Disney made a big budget, live-action Jungle Book and pitched it to audiences as an epic family adventure?
That's the impression you get from watching the first trailer for Jon Favreau's live-action remake of The Jungle Book. The movie's stellar voice cast includes Bill Murray (a perfect choice for Baloo if ever there was one), Scarlett Johansson as wicked snake Kaa, Idris Elba as Khan, Christopher Walken as King Louie and side characters played by recognizable names like Ben Kingsley, Lupita Nyong'o and Breaking Bad's Giancarlo Esposito. They're joined by newcomer Neel Sethi as main character Mowgli.
Disney's been on a roll with its live-action remakes, but are audiences ready for a version of this classic that's less gentle cartoon and more action-packed Iron Man (Favreau's first movie)?
This first trailer holds back on most of the good stuff (aka Murray), focusing instead on introducing the movie's strikingly realistic look and feel, while giving viewers a slithery voiceover by Johansson's Kaa.
Watch and let us know what you think.
Disney's The Jungle Book is scheduled to arrive on April 15, 2016.
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