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It made a big impression when Disney teased footage at their D23 Expo, and the trailer showed us all what Jon Favreau had been busy working on in with Disney’s new live-action version of THE JUNGLE BOOK. This CGI-enhanced take on the animated Rudyard Kipling classic from 1967 brings back the characters you loved, with Neel Sethi starring as jungle boy Mowgli. The supporting cast of voice actors includes Bill Murray as Baloo, Ben Kingsley as Bagheera the panther, Idris Elba as Shere Khan the tiger, Scarlett Johansson as Kaa the python, Christopher Walken as King Louie the orangutan, and Lupita Nyong’o as Raksha the wolf. The film looks pretty amazing, though definitely darker than I remember the original being. Some might question if this is a film for kids, or perhaps adults who remember the older version. Now we get a new clip featuring Mowgli (Neel Sethi), Bagheera (Ben Kingsley), Raksha (Lupita Nyong’o) and Akela (Giancarlo Esposito)… and I’ll admit, this got me. I actually teared up just watching this one scene. If the whole movie matches this quality, I can’t wait to see it in full. Take a look for yourself and tell us your thoughts in the comments.
Directed by Jon Favreau (“Chef,” “Iron Man,” “Elf”), based on Rudyard Kipling’s timeless stories and inspired by Disney’s classic animated film, “The Jungle Book” is an all-new live-action epic adventure about Mowgli (newcomer Neel Sethi), a man-cub who’s been raised by a family of wolves. But Mowgli finds he is no longer welcome in the jungle when fearsome tiger Shere Khan (voice of Idris Elba), who bears the scars of Man, promises to eliminate what he sees as a threat. Urged to abandon the only home he’s ever known, Mowgli embarks on a captivating journey of self-discovery, guided by panther-turned-stern mentor Bagheera (voice of Ben Kingsley), and the free-spirited bear Baloo (voice of Bill Murray). Along the way, Mowgli encounters jungle creatures who don’t exactly have his best interests at heart, including Kaa (voice of Scarlett Johannsson), a python whose seductive voice and gaze hypnotizes the man-cub, and the smooth-talking King Louie (voice of Christopher Walken), who tries to coerce Mowgli into giving up the secret to the elusive and deadly red flower: fire.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
