Posted by | Ray Cornelius
Disney has just released stunning new images of actors Idris Elba and Lupita Nyong’o alonside their on screening characters from their upcoming adventure “The Jungle Book.” The photos feature the stars next to their “larger than life” characters as well as quotes about them.
Elba stars as the Bengal Tiger ‘Shere Khan’ while Nyong’o portrays the Wolf ‘Raksha.’ Scarlett Johansson plays the massive Python ‘Kaa’, Sir Ben Kingsley is ‘Bagheera’ the Panther, Christopher Walken is ‘King Louie’ the Ape and Giancarlo Espisito is ‘Akela’ the alpha male Wolf.
In “The Jungle Book,” Mowgli (Neel Sethi) must leave the only home he’s ever known when the fearsome tiger Shere Khan unleashes his mighty roar. Guided by a stern panther and a free-spirited bear (Bill Murray), the young boy meets an array of jungle animals, including a slithery python and a smooth-talking ape. Along the way, Mowgli learns valuable life lessons as his epic journey of self-discovery leads to fun and adventure.
Check out the images below along with the quotes and a clip from the film:
“She is the protector, the eternal mother,” says Nyong’o. “The word Raksha actually means protection in Hindi. I felt really connected to that, wanting to protect a son that isn’t originally hers but one she’s taken for her own.”
“Bagheera is Mowgli’s adoptive parent,” says Ben Kingsley, who lends his voice to Bagheera. “His role in Mowgli’s life is to educate, to protect and to guide. My Bagheera was military–he’s probably a colonel. He is instantly recognizable by the way he talks, how he acts and what his ethical code is.”
“She’s the mirror into Mowgli’s past. The way she moves is very alluring, almost coquettish.”
“Akela is a fierce patriarch of the wolf pack,” says Giancarlo Esposito, who voices the character. “He believes the strength of the pack lies in what each and every wolf offers. He’s a great leader, a wise teacher.”
“King Louie is huge–12 feet tall,” says Christopher Walken, who voices the character. “But he’s as charming as he is intimidating when he wants to be.”
“King Louie is huge–12 feet tall,” says Christopher Walken, who voices the character. “But he’s as charming as he is intimidating when he wants to be.”