Andy Serkis 'Mowgli' to hit theaters ahead of Netflix debut

The Andy Serkis-directed Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle will be getting limited-time theater screenings Nov. 29 before it is globally available on Netflix on Dec. 7. 

According to the Hollywood Reporter, primary releases for the latest adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book will be in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and London, followed by additional theaters in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Serkis, known for his role as Gollum in The Lord of The Rings franchise, is said to be focusing on the darker source material from the original story, and will also be starring as Baloo the bear.

According to reports, among the actors that will star in the upcoming film are Benedict Cumberbatch as the tiger Shere Khan, Christian Bale as Bagheera the panther, Cate Blanchett as Kaa the snake, along with Matthew Rhys, Frieda Pinto, Naomie Harris and Rohan Chand as the iconic Mowgli. 

Read also: India censors: 'Jungle Book' too scary for kids to see alone

The film was acquired by Netflix from Warner Bros. just this past summer. Warners had initially planned to release Serkis' movie in October 2016, however it got beaten by Disney's Jungle Book helmed by Jon Favreau that was released in April 2016. 

Those wondering what this version of Mowgli is like can watch the official trailer debuted on Wednesday.  (acr/kes)