Disney’s adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s classic short stories is swinging forward as both Scarlett Johansson and Lupita Nyong’o are in negotiations to join Idris Elba in a live-action film of The Jungle Book.
Lupita is in talks to voice Rakcha, the mother wolf who adopts the young boy Mowgli, a young child from central India who is adopted by wolves after his parents are killed during a tiger attack.
Lupita Nyong'o and Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett will join the film as the voice of Kaa, the python who hypnotises other animals before eating them, while Idris will be voicing Shere Khan the tiger, who demands the wolves hand over Mowgli.
The role of young Mowgli has not yet been cast.
It’s been an incredible year for Lupita who broke out in the slavery drama 12 Years A Slave, winning her the Academy Award for Best Supporting actress.
Lupita Nyong'o and Jared Leto
As well as rumours of a relationship with fellow Oscar winner Jared Leto, in April, Lupita was named as the new face of Lancôme, following in the footsteps of stars including Kate Winslet, Julia Roberts, Penelope Cruz and Lily Collins.
Speaking to the Wall Street Journal,
Scarlet recently revealed that she is expecting her first child with her French fiancé Romain Dauriac.
Scarlett Johansson and Romain Dauraic
"There must exist a world in which I can balance those things, be able to raise a family and still make a film a year, or work on my own, develop things, do theatre," she said before adding: "I want to be able to have it all. Selfishly."
As well as The Jungle Book, The Avengers actress is currently working on the sequel of the superhero film, The Avengers: Age of Ultron.