Idris Elba’s deep, throaty growl is exactly the sort of voice you can imagine emerging from the depths of a cunning, deadly and charming killer cat. Jon Favreau clearly thinks so, as he has the actor set to voice Shere Khan in his live-action/CG blended take on **The Jungle Book{
Having signed on the dotted to wrangle a new take on the story from Rudyard Kipling’s much-adapted tome, Favreau is clearly on a quick timetable to get this one up and running in order to beat Warner Bros., which is trying to lure Ron Howard for its version, to the punch.
Justin Marks wrote the latest draft for the film, which will follow the traditional tale of young orphan Mowgli, found abandoned in the jungle and raised by friendly animals. Shere Khan, on the other hand, is a devious tiger and Mowgli’s most dangerous enemy. Favreau will be bringing his experience with effects to bear on the film, which will feature human actors working alongside digital animals voiced by stars including Elba.
With the director set to premiere his latest indie comedy drama Chef at the SXSW festival this month, he’ll then move on to working full time on the new Jungle Book.