A new adaptation of The Jungle Book, directed by Jon Favreau, did its debut in theatres last week, having already had a stellar opening weekend.Thank you so much and let's enjoy the concept art below:
The movie is a live-action/CGI update of 1894 Rudyard Kipling’s classic book of short stories that with its blend of live-action and photo-realistic computer-generated effects combines spectacular widescreen images of rain forests, watering holes and crumbling temples, a couple of human actors, and realistic mammals, birds and reptiles that nevertheless talk, joke and even sing in celebrity voices.
Even if inspired by the Disney’s 1967 animated musical, the movie creates its own dream-space that seems at once illustrated and tactile and the result is one of the most visually stunning films in years. But it all begin with a massive work of pre-visualization which have involved me as many other artist around the world to create the visual universe of this timeless tales.
Kipling's tales had a stronger influence in my childhood, The Jungle Book was absolutely my favorite book tales as a child. I still have that book, time consumed and worn out completely…So when I was asked to draw some shots for the incoming movie adaptation It was like a dream come true…….and child's dreams are the most intense and fantastic, that's why they became true!
At the time when the pre-production starts I was just a junior concept artist working on a Production Design Company in L.A. and I remember myself being super enthusiastic about the chance to be part of this project.
So I gave my little contribute creating four images, two of them are depicting Mowgli in two separate moments of his adventure: one with the pack of wolves who adopted him and the other one with Bagheera which have in Mowgli’s life the role of mentor, protector and guide.
The other two images were created to help the director defining the characters of Kaa, the powerful snake that, unlike the animated Disney films, is here portrayed as a female ad Shere Khan the tiger, main villain of the movie. Both have become famous characters in children’s literature.
In my opinion the movie is simply gorgeous, and there are clear, strong messages about the importance of courage, teamwork, family (especially the non-traditional kind), and friendship.
So precise and simple in its characterizations, and so clear about what it's trying to say about the relationship between humanity and nature.
A great film for all the family to enjoy.
And if you think it isn't enough please check Edvige Faini's Site for more!
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