Christian Bale and Cate Blanchett to star in Jungle Book reboot
Christian Bale and Cate Blanchett are the latest big Hollywood names to sign on for a part in Andy Serkis’ Jungle Book: Origins.
The two actors join Benedict Cumberbatch and a slew of other stars already on board with the project. Bale will voice the noble panther Bagheera, Blanchett will voice the hypnotic python Kaa and Cumberbatch will voice the fearsome Shere Khan.
Rounding out the animal cast are Naomie Harris, Tom Hollander, Eddie Marsan and Peter Mullan. Rohan Chand will play Mowgli, a human boy who learns the law of the jungle while being raised in the wild.
Motion-capture expert Andy Serkis is directing Origins- which will employ motion-capture, CG animation and live action- from a script by Callie Kloves. Serkis will also portray the sleepy brown bear Baloo.
A rival Disney adaptation of Kipling’s Jungle Book is also in the works and will star Idris Elba, Scarlett Johansson, Sir Ben Kingsley and Bill Murray.
Sources: Digital Spy, The Hollywood Reporter