Jungle Book introduces terrifying Shere Khan

A new clip from Jon Favreu's upcoming live-action retelling of “The Jungle Book” has just hit the web, and provides a terrifying introduction to the film's villain, Shere Khan, voiced by Idris Elba.

The clip seems to take place fairly early in the film, with protagonist Mowgli living secretly among the pack of wolves who adopt and raise the orphaned boy. As all of the animals in the jungle convene at the watering hole, Idris Elba's Shere Khan notices a 'strange odour', which he unmistakably identifies as that of a human. What follows is a standoff between the tiger and the wolves, as Shere Khan explains that man is forbidden from their land, in a dominant, authoritative voice and body language.

Despite Elba's cred as a menacing villain, the best thing about his take on Shere Khan is the fact that he's a villain audience's can empathize with. He doesn't hate humans for no reason at all; he has suffered at the hands of men before, and in his own way he fears what Mowgli could become capable of if he stays in the jungle long enough to grow up.

Based off of the trailers, it seems likely that this showdown between the animals is what leads to Mowgli going on the run in the first place. Shere Khan's forced exile will eventually send the film's young protagonist on a journey which will bring him into contact with numerous animals, such as the bear Baloo (Bill Murray), the giant snake Kaa (Scarlett Johansson), and the orangutan King Louie (Christopher Walken).

“The Jungle Book” hits theatres on April 15.

Source: Cinemablend