Amidst the high-powered signings of the likes of Christopher Walken, Scarlett Johannson, Lupita Nyong’o and Ben Kingsley to voice beloved characters of Disney’s The Jungle Book, it became apparent that a certain lovable, bumbling, kind-hearted bear had yet to be cast.
Now the movie has its Baloo and that it is Bill Murray makes perfect sense.
The official announcement came down from Disney this morning. The hybrid live-action/animated Disney’s The Jungle Book will premiere on October 9, 2015.
Bill Murray to Play Baloo in Disney’s “The Jungle Book”
Veteran actor Bill Murray has joined the cast of Disney’s The Jungle Book as the voice of Baloo.
Disney recently announced that Academy Award winner Christopher Walken will play King Louie while Giancarlo Esposito will play Akela, and the previously confirmed cast includes Academy Award winners Ben Kingsley and Lupita Nyong’o as Bagheera and Raksha, respectively; Golden Globe winner Idris Elba as Shere Khan; Scarlett Johansson as Kaa; and newcomer Neel Sethi as Mowgli.
The Jungle Book is a combination of live-action and animation, directed by Jon Favreau from a script by Justin Marks. The film will be released in 3D and arrives in theatres on October 9, 2015.