Newcomer ten-year-old Neel Sethi is Mowgli in Disney’s live-action adaptation of The Jungle Book. The film will be Sethi’s first acting role.
Sethi is from New York and was chosen as Mowgli following a worldwide search. Of the young actor, director Jon Favreau says, “Casting is the most important element of any film and finding the right kid to play Mowgli was imperative. Neel has tremendous talent and charisma. There is a lot riding on his little shoulders and I’m confident he can handle it.”
Casting director Sarah Finn compliments, “Neel embodies the heart, humor, and daring of the character. He’s warm and accessible, yet also has an intelligence well beyond his years and impressed us all with his ability to hold his own in any situation. Even though he has no professional acting experience, his natural charisma and instincts jumped out at us.”
The Jungle Book hits theaters October 9, 2015.
