Mowgli: The Legend of the Jungle will see Serkis giving radical spin to the classic Rudyard Kipling novel.
The streaming platform Netflix said it will give the film a limited theatrical release from November 29 in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and London. And “Mowgli” will be screened globally on Netflix from December 7, it was announced by officials.
Netflix bought the film from Warner Bros. in July. The acquisition is believed to be one of Netflix’s costliest ever purchases. Warner had planned to release the movie in October. The move is also in line with commitments to give theatrical releases to Alfonso Cuaron’s “Roma,” the Coen brothers’ “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” and “Bird Box.”
The film will see Serkis giving a radical spin to the classic Rudyard Kipling novel about a boy raised in the jungle and newcomer Rohan Chand in the title role. It tells the story of an Indian boy named Mowgli, wandering in an enchanting Indian forest with an entourage of his animal friends and fighting for survival.
Mowgli’s adventures have made way for several adaptations like the popular eponymous 1967 animated film or Jon Favreau’s re-imagination with the same name. However, Serkis’ “Mowgli”, starring Rohan Chand, will have shades of grey.
The movie has voice and motion capture performances from Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Benedict Cumberbatch, Naomie Harries and Serkis.
In an interview actress Freida Pinto, who plays a key role in the movie had said the makers are under pressure to make “Mowgli” acceptable in India with its darker theme. “There’s a nice little surprise there for the Indian audience. It is a film that I am very proud of and also because it is a story we all grew up on,” Freida said.
ok, Benedict Cumberbatch as Shere Khan sounds terrifying. @andyserkis‘ Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle, coming 7 december pic.twitter.com/9iczGmgJn9
— Netflix Scotland (ps. watch Outlaw King) (@NetflixUK) November 8, 2018