Is the live-action Jungle Book 2 still happening? Here’s what we know.
Back in 2016, almost 10 years ago, director Jon Favreau gave Disney fans a visually stunning take on the 1967 animated film Jungle Book, released by Walt Disney Studios.
The Jungle Book live-action film generated a significant amount of buzz and excitement among fans of the original film and enthusiasts of Rudyard Kipling’s timeless stories.
Directed by Jon Favreau, known for his work on The Lion King (2019) and Iron Man (2008) and featuring a screenplay by Justin Marks, the film transported audiences into the enchanting world of Mowgli and his jungle companions. With the talented Neel Sethi in the role of Mowgli and a star-studded voice cast including Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, and Idris Elba returning as the menacing Shere Khan, fans have been waiting patiently for any sort of update on a once-promised sequel.
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Following the success of the first live-action adaptation, which was praised for its stunning visuals and engaging storytelling, a live-action Jungle Book 2 is poised to delve even deeper into the rich tapestry of Kipling’s narrative.
As Favreau made the exciting change to the typical storied ending, the door remains wide open for a sequel. As the director’s 2019 smash live-action hit, Lion King moves into phase two; little information has been provided regarding the follow-up to the 2016 film.
Live-Action ‘Jungle Book 2’ Promised
Although not necessarily confirmed, a sequel was hinted at by John Favreau back in 2016, after the success of his first live-action adaptation. The film smashed the expectations of the Walt Disney Company, earning almost $1 billion worldwide at the box office, according to The Numbers.
Weeks after announcing a sequel, Disney let loose that a follow-up was in pre-production, but as 2016 was almost 10 years ago, we’ve yet to hear anything new outside of pure speculation from Favreau, who’s spent much of that time working on Marvel, Star Wars, and Lion King productions, or Walt Disney Pictures.
In an interview with Collider, Favreau has the following to say regarding his plans and work on a live-action Jungle Book 2,
““…I’m kind of full bore into developing the tools to tell the story for Lion King, because you’re sort of developing whole new sets of tools for each production. And right now in the story phase, getting the story right for Jungle Book 2. I don’t know. Right now the plan is that we go right from one into the other, but I know from having worked on two superhero movies back to back, these take many many many years. I was working on Marvel movies for like four years back-to-back. It’s a big chunk of your life and you have to make sure that you’re excited and can bring all of your attention and concentration to bear on this, because they are really big puzzles. Every film is a puzzle you have to solve — these highly technical ones are like 3D chess. There’s like a whole other level to it that has to be understood and learned.”
Potential Casting
One thing the original film got right was casting. Outside of Neel Sethi, Favreau brought in an all-star cast, including Bill Kingsley, Giancarlo Esposito, Christopher Walken, Bill Murray, and Idris Elba.
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It stands to reason that although a new story may introduce new characters, a live-action Jungle Book sequel would need to follow closely to its original base to resonate with fans. So, hearing many of these familiar voices return wouldn’t be out of the question.
Live-action ‘’Jungle Book 2′ Storyline
Very little is known at this point as to what could take place in a sequel. However, as mentioned above, Favreau chose to leave the door open for a follow-up. Unlike the ending of the original book or Disney’s animated film, Mowgli does not go to live in the man-village.
This allows the creative freedom to expand upon the already familiar story of Mowgli, Baloo, Bagheera, Kaa (Scarlett Johansson), and King Louie.
When to Expect Further News
This is a more challenging question to answer, as Disney is currently working on a huge line of live-action remakes that include Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Lilo & Stitch, Robin Hood, Hercules, and Moana, to name a few.
Following the 2019 success of The Lion King, much attention is now focused on a successful sequel there. Since it’s been since 2016, it’s difficult to say at this point if the plan is to move forward with a sequel or leave the current state of The Jungle Book as is.
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However, if it does happen, fans can look forward to the reappearance of beloved characters like Baloo, Bagheera, and King Louie and the introduction of new faces that will further expand the cinematic universe. The film should be set to explore themes of identity, belonging, and the enduring bond between humans and animals, all set against the backdrop of the lush and vibrant jungle landscape.
As answers come regarding the plot of a live-action Jungle Book 2, audiences can expect a captivating blend of heartwarming moments, thrilling adventures, and poignant reflections on the complexities of nature and civilization.
With Jon Favreau at the helm once again, supported by a talented team of visual effects artists and storytellers, the film is poised to deliver a cinematic experience that will both entertain and resonate with viewers of all ages. Stay tuned for the latest news and updates on this much-anticipated sequel, as Jungle Book 2 promises to be a cinematic journey unlike any other.