Serkis carries on up the Jungle
To say Andy Serkis has been through the wringer with his adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book isa bit of an understatement.
It was always going to be an ambitious project for a firsttime director — dark, intense in the spirit of Kipling’s stories, a big studio (Warner Bros), a blockbuster budget, A-list talent from Christian Bale to Cate Blanchett, and the highpressure stakes to go with that.
But five years ago when he signed to direct, Serkis didn’t know Walt Disney Studios would soon announce its own Jungle Book, which would beat his to theatres by more than two years and pull in nearly US$1 billion. And no one would have guessed that at the 11thhour, his studio would sell his version to Netflix.
“This wasn’t the easiest ride for anybody,” Serkis said. “It really did go through a massively long journey.”
Serkis was even able to direct another movie (Breathe) and star in at least one (War for the Planet of the Apes) during the post production for
Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle
which debuted on the streaming service on Friday.
He is just excited people are finally getting to see his passion project. The Callie Kloves-written screenplay takes the Mowgli myth away from the sunny, toe-tapping Disney versions, and back to Kipling’s original vision of the boy raised by wolves.
Actor Rohan Chand was brought on to lead the film at age 10 (he’s now 14).
“I actually grew up reading Kipling short stories,” Chand said. “I love Mowgli. He was almost like my hero in a way.”
Serkis had imagined a premiere at a major festival, and a big international theatrical run, but has seen the silver lining in having his film immediately available to 117 million Netflix subscribers in 190 countries. It’s also in select theatres.
“This could actually be the best thing for the film.”