The story of a little boy who grew up in the rainforests according to the laws of the wolf pack has been shown more than once on large screens. The actors of the movie “The Jungle Book” in 2016 demonstrated their vision of the famous plot. Find out who starred in this picture and how the plot differs from the original work from this article.
Plot
In the hot tropical forests, among the vines and huge trees lay a baby. Alone, without parental supervision, he could easily become the dinner of any beast. The defenselessness of the baby decided to use Sherkhan - a tiger that kept all the jungle in fear. The panther saved the baby from the death - a big black cat named Bagheera. In the film, the panther is male. He did not allow the predator to kill the child and took him under his guardianship. However, to care for a human baby and to protect it from danger was not even within the capabilities of such a deft and quick animal. Bagheera brought him into the pack of his friend - the leader of the wolves named Akela. She-wolf Raksha adopted the baby into a large family and began to educate along with her cubs.
Years passed, and the boy grew up. He adopted the habits of his brothers and tried not to be inferior to them during the games. But still, he remained a man and sometimes infuriated his father with his tricks. The boy made bowls for a set of water, or used skills inaccessible to animals. During the great drought, a great truce came, and all the animals rushed to the watering hole. Sherkhan also came. He threatened all the wolves, which forced Bagheera to lead the boy out of the dangerous jungle area. But they could not get together to the right place - by that time the tiger had killed Akela and tried to do the same with the panther. Mowgli escaped and was left completely alone, in a part of the rainforest that he did not know.
Here he met Kaa - a huge python who told him about his true origin. The boy found out where Sherkhan had a deep burn on his face - it was Mowgli’s father who scorched him before his death. The tiger is scared to death of a red flower - fire.
But the cunning python did not just tell him this story - he managed to hypnotize the boy and was going to feast on him. From a certain death Mowgli saved Balu - a huge brown bear. He brought it to his lair, and they became good friends. But the bear had his own plans for the boy - with his help, he made himself a large supply of honey. Bagira soon found their secret place and persuaded Mowgli to go to the people. There he will be safe.
The boy was about to do this, but was captured by the monkeys. The bear and panther could hardly rescue him from captivity. The boy learned that Akela was dead and went to rescue his family from the slavery of Sherkhan. He took fire with him, but did not use it against the enemy. This would prove his belonging to the human race. But he was able to rally all the animals, and they asked the tiger a good bashing, while Mowgli ran to the blazing jungle. He was able to lure Sherkhan into a trap and he died in a ring of fire. Everything returned to normal, and the inhabitants of the jungle ceased to be afraid and fear for their lives.
The roles and actors of the movie “The Jungle Book” 2016
It was not an easy task to shoot a picture in which there would be only one actor. It took 5 hours for one shot from Balu. Artists have tried using computer graphics to convey the beauty of the Indian jungle. For the film, even the latest system was invented, in which virtual animals could cast a shadow on a real actor.
Mowgli
Neil Seti is an American actor of Indian descent. For the boy, this role became the first in a full-fledged feature film. Before that, he managed to star in the short film "Diwali." Several hundred children came to the casting in the movie “The Jungle Book” in 2016, but he managed to impress the director, and he got the role by right. At the time of filming, the boy was 13 years old, although on the screen he looks much younger than his age. It was not easy for the young actor to fulfill all the requirements of the film crew, but John Favreau knew that the boy would cope. No wonder he chose him from a huge number of applicants.
Bagheera
Ben Kingsley, an Oscar-winning actor, in the 2016 Jungle Book, got the role of Bal. Rather, to voice a big brown bear - a good-natured and moderately cunning giant. The voice for this beast was supposed to be compelling, but at the same time frightening. At a certain moment, it was Balu who was the first to rush to Sherkhan and enter into battle with him.
Bagheera
The Russians were a little surprised when they saw the male version of Bagira in the film. Actually in the original work of Kipling Bagheera is a male. Panther - a warrior who escaped from the zoo. He has an insinuating voice, which can be sweet-deceiving, he lulls the enemy with his benevolence. Bill Murray was perfect for voicing this character.
Kaa
In the case of a huge python, the director intentionally changed the floor. In the original, Kaa has a male gender. In the movie “The Jungle Book,” python was voiced by Scarlett Johansson.
Akela
The leader of the wolves not only had a sonorous strong voice, capable of convening a flock from any corner of the jungle, but also a kind paternal baritone. Giancarlo Esposito coped with the task one hundred percent.
Sherkhan
According to the plot, the tiger’s voice changed many times. He was rude and insinuating in the scene at the watering hole. During the murder of Akela, he became angry and aggressive. During the last battle with the beasts, he turned into a hysterical scream.
Idris Alba managed to convey all the emotions of the nominal leader of the jungle. The actor in the film “The Jungle Book” in 2016 proved that you can play not only with your face and body, but also with your voice.