Lupita Nyong’o and Scarlett Johansson are in talks to star in ‘The Jungle Book’.
The stunning actresses are both in negotiations to join Idris Elba in Disney’s latest adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s classic children’s book, which will be directed by ‘Iron Man’ helmer Jon Favreau.
Oscar-winning ’12 Years a Slave’ star Nyong’o is close to closing a deal to play Rakcha, a wolf mother who adopts the film’s protagonist, Mowgli.
Meanwhile, Johansson – who is pregnant with her first child with fiancé Romain Dauriac – is expected to take on a voice role as Kaa, a python who eats her rival animals by hypnotising them.
Kaa is one of the film’s main villains along with Shere Khan, a man-eating tiger voiced by ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’ star Elba.
‘The Jungle Book’ script comes from Justin Marks, whose previous credits include ‘Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li’.
The movie is expected to be live action while also utilising CGI.
Johansson already has a strong relationship with Disney, starring in several Marvel movies including recently released blockbuster, ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’.
She is currently filming ‘The Avengers: Age of Ultron’, reprising her role as Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow.
Meanwhile, a role in ‘The Jungle Book’ would mark Nyong’o’s first new project since winning an Oscar in March.
Lupita Nyong’o, Scarlett Johansson for The Jungle Book?
