50 Most Anticipated Movies Of 2016 - Ranked

17. The Jungle Book

After his brief diversion to indie films with the palate-cleansing Chef, Jon Favreau is back working under the Disney supremos for the latest Disney live action redo of an animated classic. His version of The Jungle Book will be the ninth adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's book (though it's being marketed more overtly as a remake of the 1967 cartoon).

Alongside newcomer Neel Sethi, Disney have assembled a massively gifted cast with a focus on great voices as well as great performers: Idris Elba is Shere Khan, Sir Ben Kingsley is Bagheera, Bill Murray is Baloo, Christopher Walken is a giant-sized King Louie and Scarlett Johnsson is a new seductive Kaa. There are also roles for Lupita Nyong'o, who was exceptional in Star Wars Episode VII and Breaking Bad's Giancarlo Esposito.

There's not a lot in his filmography that suggests he's all that suited to the job specifically, but Favreau is a talented story-teller, and he knows how to make family films. And the trailer looks great.

Release Date: 15th April 2016