Disney and director Jon Favreau’s epic re-telling The Jungle Book is currently enjoying universally positive reviews, and that kind of reception has got to feel good. Favreau and Co. spent years developing and fine-tuning the cutting-edge technology that made this CG-driven Rudyard Kipling adaptation a reality, and the result is one of the most visually stunning films in years. But it all begins with a concept, and today we at Collider are thrilled to exclusively debut some images from Insight Editions’ The Art of The Jungle Book, a gorgeous making-of book that offers an extensive look at how Favreau’s The Jungle Book came to be via dazzling concept art, behind-the-scenes photography, CG designs, and more.
Crafted by Ellen Wolff (with a foreword by Favreau), the coffee table book features exclusive interviews with key cast members, from Bill Murray to Scarlett Johansson, offering an in-depth dive into all things Jungle Book. As you can see below, the gorgeous concept art designs informed how Favreau and his team went about visualizing this spectacular adventure, and while this work is ultimately replaced by waves of CG effects, it remains a beautiful and vital part of the film regardless.
Take a look at the exclusive images below. The Art of The Jungle Book is available to purchase on Friday, April 15th, the same day that the film opens in theaters. Or you can pre-order at Amazon right now.
Baloo and Bagheera face Kaa, the film's villainous snake, in this piece of concept art.
For his and his pack's safety, Mowgli volunteers to leave the pack and journey to the distant village where humans reside. Bagheera accompanies Mowgli on the trek, as depicted in this concept painting.
Thick chocking vines await Mowgli when he finds himself in the jungle inhabited by the giant snake Kaa. Dark and dense, Kaa's jungle provides the perfect hiding place for this huge beast, who tries to hypnotize Mowgli into trusting her.
And here are a few more non-exclusive spreads from the book.
