Having worked on movies in my “past lives,” I would’ve never imagined that becoming a parent and starting this website would pull me back into that world, working things in a different capacity – from a different angle – and being placed into a position where others could share in the experience virtually through all of the social networks. But that’s what’s happened, and one of my biggest supporters with THE ROCK FATHER Magazine has been The Walt Disney Company, regularly inviting me to cover their projects (bringing me into Los Angeles on Mickey’s dime, disclosure and all) and be a part of their promotional efforts. While each adventure is different, each is equally as exciting in its own way (though attending the Global Press Event for STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS may not be topped for me), and what’s happening next week is no exception. I will join 24 other writers in L.A. for the #JungleBookEvent, interviewing the filmmakers and talent from the upcoming live-action reimagining of THE JUNGLE BOOK (in theaters April 15), an adventure that will be culminating in attending the red carpet premiere at the El Capitan Theatre – but that’s not all…
We’ll hit the ground running on Sunday, April 3, joining Stuart Bowling, Director, Content and Creative Relations at Dolby Laboratories, for a screening of THE JUNGLE BOOK in Dolby Cinemas at AMC Prime, experiencing the film for the first time in a theatre that promises “the most powerful image and sound technologies with cutting-edge, reserved recliners.” We actually have AMC Prime at Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills, Illinois, where our family has seen several films over the past year – a great experience.
Monday morning we’ll head over to Beverly Hills for THE JUNGLE BOOK Press Junket, kicking-off the day by interviewing Lupita Nyong’o (voice of “Raksha”), who I first met back in December while discussing her role as Maz Kanata in THE FORCE AWAKENS, along with Giancarlo Esposito (voice of “Akela”),Sir Ben Kingsley (voice of “Bagheera”) and newcomer Neel Sethi (“Mowgli”). For me, the highlight will be an interview with Director Jon Favreau, not only one of my favorite filmmakers, but one of my favorite actors as well, and someone whose work I’ve admired for the past 20+ years.
Details – THE JUNGLE BOOK:Directed by Jon Favreau (“Iron Man”), based on Rudyard Kipling’s timeless stories and inspired by Disney’s classic animated film, “The Jungle Book” is an all-new live-action epic adventure about Mowgli (newcomer Neel Sethi), a man-cub who’s been raised by a family of wolves. But Mowgli finds he is no longer welcome in the jungle when fearsome tiger Shere Khan (voice of Idris Elba), who bears the scars of Man, promises to eliminate what he sees as a threat. Urged to abandon the only home he’s ever known, Mowgli embarks on a captivating journey of self-discovery, guided by panther-turned-stern mentor Bagheera (voice of Ben Kingsley), and the free-spirited bear Baloo (voice of Bill Murray). Along the way, Mowgli encounters jungle creatures who don’t exactly have his best interests at heart, including Kaa (voice of Scarlett Johansson), a python whose seductive voice and gaze hypnotizes the man-cub, and the smooth-talking King Louie (voice of Christopher Walken), who tries to coerce Mowgli into giving up the secret to the elusive and deadly red flower: fire. The all-star cast also includes Lupita Nyong’o as the voice of the fiercely protective mother wolf Raksha, and Giancarlo Esposito as the voice of wolf pack’s alpha male Akela. “The Jungle Book” seamlessly blends live-action with photorealistic CGI animals and environments, using up-to-the-minute technology and storytelling techniques to immerse audiences in an enchanting and lush world.
The group will then head-over to The Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank for a bit before prepping for the red carpet premiere in Hollywood that night… complete with an appearance at the official after party! It’ll be a very rare occasion to see me “dressed-up.”
Finally, Tuesday will find our crew headed over to the Paramount Studios lot (exciting for me, as I’ve never stepped behind those famed gates) to visit the set of Disney XD’s new hidden camera series, WALK THE PRANK (premiering April 6 at 8:30 pm et/pt). We’ll meet with talent, and perhaps pull some pranks of our own (or not).
So here’s your first chance to take part in the adventures: Do YOU have any questions about THE JUNGLE BOOK, WALK THE PRANK, or for any members of the cast and crew? As always, I will do my best to get your questions answered!
Be sure to follow #JungleBookEvent and #WalkThePrank to see where our crew is at, and what we’re up to, April 3-5, 2016 on all of your favorite social networks. Stay tuned!
Want even more? Check out The Rock Father’s JUNGLE BOOK hub for all the latest on the new film: http://www.therockfather.com/thejunglebook
