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As the cast of Disney’s live action take on “The Jungle Book” slowly but surely comes together, we can report that the role of film’s young protagonist Mowgli has been cast.
Newcomer Neel Sethi will play the orphan boy under the direction of helmer Jon Favreau.
In his first ever acting role, 10 year old Sethi will be the only actor seen on screen, with the rest of the characters created as computer generated creatures. No pressure!
Chosen above thousands of other kids, with auditions spanning across the US, the UK, New Zealand, India and Canada, Favreau believes Sethi is the right kid to play the part.
“Casting is the most important element of any film and finding the right kid to play Mowgli was imperative,” said Favreau in a statement. “Neel [Sethi] has tremendous talent and charisma. There is a lot riding on his little shoulders and I’m confident he can handle it.”
“Neel embodies the heart, humor, and daring of the character,” said casting director Sarah Finn. “He’s warm and accessible, yet also has an intelligence well beyond his years and impressed us all with his ability to hold his own in any situation. Even though he has no professional acting experience, his natural charisma and instincts jumped out at us.”
Scarlett Johansson (Kaa, the slippery python), Idris Elba (Shere Khan, the duplicitous tiger), Lupita Nyong’o (Rakcha, the mother wolf) and Ben Kingsley (Bagheera, the friendly black panther) also star.
With a script by Justin Marks, “The Jungle Book” will hit cinemas on October 9, 2015.
