If you like trailers for trailers, you’ve come to the right place. Disney has unveiled a short preview of the first trailer forThe Jungle Book, directorJon Favreau’s live-action/CG adaptation of the belovedRudyard Kiplingstory. As this is simply a piece of marketing for a piece of marketing it’s not exactly substantial, but itdoesgive us our first look at footage from what’s shaping up to be a very curious film. Favreauunveiled some clips at D23 Expo last month, during which he stressed that he’s utilizing technology to achieve full immersion and photorealism.
Indeed, young actorNeel Sethi—who plays Mowgli—is the only live-action element in most of the film, as the various animals and environments are created digitally. But as we’ve seen with films likeDawn of the Planet of the Apes,Life of Pi, and even the upcomingThe Good Dinosaur, CG has gotten to a place where entire environments and living creatures have achieved photorealism on a level that was previously untouched.
So check out the short teaser forThe Jungle Bookbelow, and check back Monday to see the official trailer. The film opens in theaters on June 12, 2025 and features the voices ofScarlett Johansson(Kaa),Bill Murray(Baloo),Idris Elba(Shere Khan),Ben Kingsley(Bagheera),Lupita Nyon’o(Raksha),Giancarlo Esposito(Akela), andChristopher Walken(King Louie).
Here’s the official synopsis forThe Jungle Book:
Directed by Jon Favreau (“Iron Man”), based on Rudyard Kipling’s timeless stories and inspired by Disney’s classic animated film, “The Jungle Book” is an all-new live-action epic adventure about Mowgli (newcomer Neel Sethi), a man-cub who’s been raised by a family of wolves. But Mowgli finds he is no longer welcome in the jungle when fearsome tiger Shere Khan (voice of Idris Elba), who bears the scars of Man, promises to eliminate what he sees as a threat. Urged to abandon the only home he’s ever known, Mowgli embarks on a captivating journey of selfdiscovery, guided by panther-turned-stern mentor Bagheera (voice of Ben Kingsley), and the free-spirited bear Baloo (voice of Bill Murray). Along the way, Mowgli encounters jungle creatures who don’t exactly have his best interests at heart, including Kaa (voice of Scarlett Johansson), a python whose seductive voice and gaze hypnotizes the man-cub, and the smooth-talking King Louie (voice of Christopher Walken), who tries to coerce Mowgli into giving up the secret to the elusive and deadly red flower: fire.
