Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle was the original Jungle Book adaptation, but following Disney’s huge live-action triumph, the film was sold to Netflix and now prepares for its launch. While telling the same story, it’s a completely different affair, so dark in tone, as a far more faithful adaptation of the renowned Kipling prose.
To mark the release we sat down with the film’s director Andy Serkis, who also plays Baloo, as well as the title role himself, Rohan Chand. Finally we spoke to Eddie Marsan, who voices the role of Vihaan. Serkis describes the journey the film has gone on before finally making its way to our screens, and why he feels Netflix makes the perfect home for his tale to be told.
Serkis also speaks about the dark elements to the film and whether it’s child-proof, while Marsan speaks about the values and messages the film is exploring. The chameleon of an actor also touches upon his varying career choices, and what inspires him as an actor. Finally, we have Chand, who interviews as though he’s been in the business for thirty or so years. On the basis of our chat (and his performance, of course), it’s fair to say he most likely will achieve such longevity. Watch this space. Oh, and watch the interviews too – all below:
Synopsis
Human child Mowgli is 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, but the fearsome tiger Shere Khan doesn’t take a liking to him. But there may be greater dangers lurking in the jungle, as Mowgli comes face to face with his human origins.
Mowgli: Legend Of The Jungle is in select cinemas and launches on Netflix on December 7
