Lupita Nyong'o And Scarlett Johansson To Star In Disney's The Jungle Book?

Following the reports that the new live action movie of The Jungle Book has signed up Idris Elba, it's now been rumoured that Disney is close to casting two major actresses for lead roles in their epic - Lupita Nyong'o and Scarlett Johansson.

Jon Favreau will direct the new movie based on Rudyard Kipling's classic and it looks like the director has managed to persuade his Iron Man star Scarlett Johansson, who also pops up in his latest movie Chef, to sign up for a leading role.

According to The Hollywood Reporter both Scarlett and this year's Supporting Actress Oscar winner Lupita are "in the middle of negotiations" to join Idris Elba in the live-action/CG hybrid movie.

Lupita Nyong'o is reportedly in talks to star in the new live action version of The Jungle Book (WENN)

The report claims that Nyong’o, who was named People Magazine's Most Beautiful this week,  is in final negotiations to play Rakcha, a mother wolf who adopts the orphaned Mowgli.

Johansson meanwhile is said to be in earlier stages of talks to voice the character of Kaa, the python who eats other animals by hypnotizing them. It won't be the first movie the sexy star has leant her vocals to, with the actress winning acclaim for her role as Samantha in the 2014 Oscar nominee Her.

Jon Favreau's Iron Man star Scarlett Johansson is also rumoured to be interested in a role (WENN)

If she does land the role Scarlett's villain would join Idris who is set to voice Shere Khan, the man-eating tiger.

With a release date of October 9, 2015, the movie is expected to start shooting later this year, but it'll have some competition once it does reach the box office. Warner Bros. is also developing its own version of the childrens classic with Andy Serkis on board to direct.

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