While we don’t expect the live-action version of Disney’s upcoming The Jungle Book to be an exact remake of their 1967 animated version, there is one moment that has been teased in the trailer that tells us part of the classic will be brought back into the new version. The song "Bear Necessities" will be performed by the film’s stars, Bill Murray and Neel Sethi. If you can’t wait to hear them perform it, then there’s good news. The pair did it on TV last night. Check it out.
Ahead of The Jungle Book’s April 15th release Bill Murray, who voices Baloo the bear, and Neel Sethi, who plays the "man-cub" Mowgli, were guests on Jimmy Kimmel Live. During this appearence, the host persuaded them completely out of the blue we’re sure, to perform a verse from the best-known song that came out of Disney’s animated version of the same story. The two actors give their best exasperated looks before accepting their fate. Bill Murray just can’t help but be entertaining with every fiber of his being. Plus Neel Sethi looks to just be having the time of his life. The young actor is making his feature film debut as the lead in The Jungle Book. We’re not sure he’s got a future as a singer, but his enthusiasm makes up for it. Also, the bear suits are a nice touch. If watching this doesn’t just make you feel happier, then watch it again.
Overall, The Jungle Book looks to be significantly more dramatic and action packed than the animated version. As Jimmy Kimmel says, the actors only perform part of "Bare Necessities" in the new film, so it will likely be more of an easter egg than a full on musical moment. We don’t expect any of the film’s other songs to make an appearance. Although, if it turns out Christopher Walken performs a verse of "I Wanna Be Like You" at some point we’ll just go get in line for the movie right the hell now.
Are you interested in Disney’s new version of The Jungle Book? Disney is now making live-action versions of their stories with the same frequency that they made the animated films to begin with, so many more are on their way. Do you think they’ll be classics in their own right one day?
