Lupita Nyong’o To Star Opposite Scarlett Johansson In Jon Favreau’s ‘The Jungle Book’
Lupita Nyong’o is reportedly in talks to star in the upcoming adaptation of The Jungle Book.
Although author Rudyard Kipling’s classic story has hit the big screen numerous times over the past several decades, apparently Iron Man director Jon Favreau believes the tale needs another dance through the Hollywood machine.
According to MTV News, award-winning 12 Years a Slave star Lupita Nyong’o will star opposite The Avengers alum Scarlett Johansson in the latest adaptation of the aforementioned story. Johansson and Favreau previously worked together on the 2010 comic book flick Iron Man 2.
The Hollywood Reporter explains that Lupita will portray the wolf who adopts Mowgli, while Johansson will tackle the role of a python named Kaa. Pacific Rim star Idris Elba was recently tapped to portray the tiger Shere Khan in Favreau’s retelling. However, it’s still unclear who will play Mowgli in the flick.
Should Nyong’o officially sign on for The Jungle Book, the flick will serve as her first Hollywood endeavor since 12 Years a Slave. Unfortunately, People magazine’s Most Beautiful Person of 2014 will have her face hidden beneath a ton of expensive Hollywood CGI.
The Inquisitr previously reported that Lupita reportedly met up with J.J. Abrams to discuss a role in the highly-anticipated Star Wars: Episode VII. While sources claim that she had a chat with the filmmaker, no one seems to know if she’s seriously considering a role in the sequel.
There’s also a rumor going around that Nyong’o could appear opposite Daniel Craig in the upcoming thriller The Whole Truth. Unfortunately for those who can’t get enough of the talented young actress, nothing about this project was officially confirmed as of this writing. However, it’s doubtful that you’ve seen the last of Lupita on the big screen.
While the actress has a legion of fans and followers who believe she’s among the most gorgeous people on the entire planet, apparently Nyong’o wasn’t always so comfortable in her own skin. Lupita told Essence magazine that it took a long time before she thought of herself as a beautiful woman.
“I remember a time when I too felt unbeautiful. I put on the TV and only saw pale skin. I got teased and taunted about my night-shaded skin. And my one prayer to God, the miracle worker, was that I would wake up lighter-skinned,” she explained.
The actress drew inspiration from Alex Wek after the model became popular. She added, “I couldn’t believe that people were embracing a woman who looked so much like me as beautiful… a flower couldn’t help but bloom inside of me.”
What do you think about Lupita Nyong’o possibly starring in director Jon Favreau’s upcoming adaptation of The Jungle Book?
[Image via BET]
