MANILA, Philippines - The boy playing Mowgli in the “Jungle Book” movie has been chosen!
Newbie actor 10-year-old Neel Sethi from New York was chosen, after a series of audition in New York, New Zealand, London, and Canada.
Director Jon Favreau said that finding the perfect child to play Mowgli is very important since “there is a lot riding on his little shoulders.”
“Neel embodies the heart, humor, and daring of the character. He’s warm and accessible, yet also has an intelligence well beyond his years and impressed us all with his ability to hold his own in any situation,” Favreau said.
“Even though he has no professional acting experience, his natural charisma and instincts jumped out at us,” he adds.
Neel will be the only human character in the film, while the other characters will be voiced by Ben Kingsley, Scarlett Johansson, Idris Elba, and Lupita Nyong'o.
“The Jungle Book” 3D will be in cinemas Oct. 9, 2015.