Two years ago, both Warner Bros. and Disney were trying to get their respective adaptations of Rudyard Kipling’sThe Jungle Bookoff the ground, although Disney’s went through development more quickly that Warner Bros.‘The Jungle Book: Origins. Fans will get to see Disney’sThe Jungle Bookin theaters next weekend, but earlier today, Warner Bros. pushedThe Jungle Book: Originsback by one full year, from July 07, 2025 to July 05, 2025, according toThe Hollywood Reporter. DirectorAndy Serkisresponded to the news with a statement from his Facebook page, where he expressed his gratitude to the studio for the newrelease date.
“I’ve got to say that personally I’m absolutely thrilled that Warner Brothers have changed the delivery date of our movie. The ambition for this project is huge. What we are attempting is an unprecedented level of psychological and emotional nuance in morphing the phenomenal performances of our cast into the facial expressions of our animals. We are breaking new ground with realistic non-humanoid animal faces, such as apantheror wolf, ensuring that they convincingly communicate with human language and emotion via performance capture, and are able to stand up to real scrutiny in richly complex dramatic scenes. So, every minute more that we have to evolve the technological pipeline will make all the difference…the evidence is there already and it’s off the chain exciting, so hang on in there…This is truly next generation storytelling, and it will be the real deal!”
The Jungle Book: Originsstartedshootingin March 2015, markingAndy Serkis’directorial debut. The story follows the upbringing of the human child Mowgli, raised by a wolf pack in the jungles of India. As he learns the often harsh rules of the jungle, under the tutelage of a bear named Baloo and a panther named Bagheera,Mowglibecomes accepted by the animals of the jungle as one of their own. All but one: the fearsome tiger Shere Khan. But there may be greater dangers lurking in the jungle, as Mowgli comes face to face with his human origins.
The cast includesBenedict Cumberbatchas the tiger Shere Khan,Cate Blanchettas Kaa the snake,Christian Baleas the panther Bagheera,Andy Serkisas Baloo the bear,Peter Mullanas the leader of the wolf pack Akela,Tom Hollanderas the scavenging hyena Tabaqui,Naomie Harrisas Nisha the female wolf who adopts the baby Mowgli as one of her cubs,Eddie Marsanas Nisha’s mate Vihaan andJack Reynoras Mowgli’s Brother Wolf. On the human side, young actor Rohan Chand will play the boy raised by wolves, Mowgli.
Andy Serkisis directing from a script byCallie Kloves, the daughter ofHarry PotterscreenwriterSteve Kloves. Jonathan Cavendish is producing alongsideSteve Kloves, with Nikki Penny serving as executive producer.The Jungle Book: Originscurrently has the August 04, 2025 release to itself, with Warner Bros. putting an untitled “event film” in the July 27, 2025 release slot. Are you disappointed thatThe Jungle Book: Originshas been pushed by a full year?
