Idris Elba is in final negotiations to voice Shere Khan in Disney's The Jungle Book live-action remake.
The Wrap reports that Elba is taking the final steps to be a part of the live-action reboot of The Jungle Book.
The film follows Mowgli, an orphan boy who is raised by animals in the jungle. Elba will voice Shere Khan, a tiger who stalks Mowgli, and plots to kill the boy before he becomes a threat.
According to Deadline, Jon Favreau (Elf, Iron Man, Cowboys & Aliens) will direct the film.
The live-action reboot will feature a crew with very strong backgrounds. Visual effects crew will be led by Rob Legato (Avatar, Hugo, Titanic). Production designer Alex McDowell (Man of Steel, Rise of the Guardians) will participate. Artists include Michael Kutsche (Oz, Maleficent), Justin Sweet (Chronicles of Narnia), and Iain McCaig (Star Wars). David Lowery (Iron Man) will lead the story team.
Disney is in a race against Warner Bros., who also plans to create a reboot of the Rudyard Kipling classic. Warner Bros. however, does not currently have a director on board.
Elba recently played Nelson Mandela in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, and earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor.
Image:ABC