Mowgli: The Jungle Book, But Not As You Know It
Remaking cartoons into live action movies isn’t a new trend. Those who remember Glenn Close’s turn as Cruella DeVille in 101 Dalmations or The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, based on Fantasia, will remember Disney’s earlier forays into turning their cartoons into live action thrillers. The last 10 years have seen a trend in remakes of cartoons to create grittier stories that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. These films have pushed the limits of special effects technology and have captured the imagination of an entirely new generation.
It isn’t just Disney giving a new lease of life to dated cartoons. Paddington Bear and its sequel was well received by critics and families, as was the release of The Jungle Book based on Rudyard Kipling’s 1984 novel. This and Imaginarium’s release of Mowgli shows that the live action trend has no intention of slowing down, as well as demonstrating the public’s hunger for these stories.
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The Jungle Book was praised for special effects and a soundtrack based on the original Disney cartoon. It prompted a re-release of Kipling’s novel and even inspired a Jungle slot game which aims to transport players into the world of the film – you can click here for more information on bonuses and to see how the game relates to the classic story, ahead of Mowgli’s release.
Mowgli’s star-studded cast is sure to make it an instant success. Director Andy Serkis will play loveable Baloo and Cate Blanchett will voice Kaa the python. The film also plays host to lesser known actors including Welsh actor Matthew Rhys and could be the breakthrough role for child actor Rohan Chand, who plays Mowgli. If other live-action films are anything to go by, this could be big news for the lesser known actors in the film. Disney’s 2015 release of the live-action Cinderella ensured that British actress Lily James was launched from Downton Abbey fame and into worldwide prominence which has led to a role in Baby Driver and more recently as Meryl Streep’s younger self in Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again.
The trend for grittier versions of our favourite cartoons will cement our favourite stories for generations, inspiring them with the same wonder and magic as when adults saw their first cartoon. As technology continues to inspire filmmakers, live-action films will feel increasingly realistic and will be able to match and surpass the magic of the original cartoon.
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