Disney’s forthcoming update of The Jungle Book has bagged its first major star, with Idris Elba signing on to provide the voice of Shere Khan.
With a voice that’s both silky smooth and vaguely menacing, we’d say Elba is the perfect fit for the predatory tiger, who is very much the biggest cat in this particular jungle.
Disney’s version of the story is set to go up against a rival production from Warner Bros., but with Elba attached and Jon Favreau already in place to direct, the Mouse House seems to have the upper hand at this stage.
Disney’s version will take the form of a mix of live-action and CGI, with Elba’s character set to be rendered using the latter.
Production is set to begin on the project this summer, with the film pencilled in for a US release date of 9 October 2015. A UK date has yet to be confirmed.
