WATCH: A Darker and Grittier Jungle Book with MOWGLI First Trailer

Warner Bros. Pictures has just released the official first trailer for the action-adventure “Mowgli” starring Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Benedict Cumberbatch and Freida Pinto. While the film's protagonist has had its fair share in the limelight, the film touts to be a darker and grittier take on the well-known story from Rudyard Kipling. If you didn't know, the story follows the upbringing of the human child Mowgli, raised by a wolf pack in the jungles of India. As he learns the often harsh rules of the jungle, under the tutelage of a bear named Baloo and a panther named Bagheera, Mowgli becomes accepted by the animals of the jungle as one of their own. All but one: the fearsome tiger Shere Khan. But there may be greater dangers lurking in the jungle, as Mowgli comes face to face with his human origins. Check out the trailer and read more about the film below:

For the film, motion capture and live action were blended. The film features an impressive roster of stars under the direction of Andy Serkis. The actors performing the roles of the story’s central animal characters are: Christian Bale as the cunning panther, Bagheera; Cate Blanchett as the sinister snake, Kaa; Benedict Cumberbatch as the fearsome tiger, Shere Khan; Naomie Harris as Nisha, the female wolf, who adopts the baby Mowgli as one of her cubs; Andy Serkis as the wise bear, Baloo; Peter Mullan as the leader of the wolf pack, Akela; Jack Reynor as Mowgli’s Brother Wolf; Eddie Marsan as Nisha’s mate, Vihaan; and Tom Hollander as the scavenging hyena, Tabaqui. On the human side, Matthew Rhys is Lockwood; Freida Pinto is Messua; and young actor Rohan Chand will play Mowgli, the boy raised by wolves.

“Mowgli” is distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company and watch “Mowgli” in Philippine cinemas October 18.