WARNER Bros. has cast an entire zoo’s worth of actors for its adaptation of “The Jungle Book,” which Andy Serkis is directing.

    Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Naomie Harris, Tom Hollander, Eddie Marsan and Peter Mullan are joining Benedict Cumberbatch to star as the animal characters in the feature. The movie will employ a mix of motion capture, CG animation and live action.

    “The Jungle Book” centers on Mowgli, an orphaned boy raised by wolves who befriends members of the animal kingdom who help him grow up. Serkis will play Baloo the bear, and Bale will voice Bagheera, a fearsome panther, both of whom save Mowgli from the killer tiger Shere Khan (Cumberbatch) and teach him the law of the jungle.

    “The Jungle Book” is ready to go ape-to-ape with Disney, which is also mounting a live-action/CG hybrid.

    (SD-Agencies)