Warner Bros. is still going ahead with its own Jungle Book movie, even as Disney’s is about to swing into theaters. Their movie will at least have more humans in it, as Freida Pinto has joined the cast.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight last month - but not posted until March 3 - the actress revealed that she will play Mowgli’s adoptive mother.
“I read The Jungle Book and watched the TV series in India growing up, and for me, to finally be part of the film that reminds me so much of my childhood is just amazing,” Pinto, 31, said. “It's one of those films that I feel, no matter what age group you are, you're going to enjoy that film, and I feel like it's been a while since I've done something like that, because most of my films have not been good enough for children. A little too intense, so I'm very happy to finally be doing a film that can be [watched by kids].”
In another interview, this time with MovieFone, Pinto said the new film “is going to be a great marriage of motion capture and live-action.”
Directed by Andy Serkis, Jungle Book: Origins will be released by Warner Bros. on Oct. 6, 2017. That will give it over a year of separation from Disney’s The Jungle Book, which hits theaters on April 15.
The voice cast for Origins includes Cate Blanchett, Christian Bale, Benedict Cumberbatch, Serkis, Naomie Harris and Matthew Rhys.
Pinto is best known for her role in Slumdog Millionaire and stars in Terrence Malick’s Knight of Cups.