Andy Serkis' "Jungle Book" delayed to 2018

7 Apr – "The Jungle Book", the Warner Bros version – not to be confused with the newly released Disney version, is on the move yet again.

The release date for the movie has been pushed even further back, according to Collider, as the studio has confirmed that it is now slated for release in North America on 19 October, 2018.

The Andy Serkis-directed motion capture movie adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's book of the same name was previously planned to be released in October this year, before it was given a new release date of October next year.

But now it has been pushed yet another whole year. One can only wonder whether this has something to do with Disney's own live-action version of "The Jungle Book".

The Jon Favreau-directed movie, which opens in territories such as Malaysia and Singapore today, has yet to open in North America but it has already been receiving rave reviews from the critics.

It would be a wise move for Andy Serkis' team to give a little breathing room before their version of the movie hits the big screen, lest audiences too enamoured with the Disney version berate them for the similar subject and styling – an unavoidable observation since both movies are adapted from the same material.

Though Serkis himself doesn't seem too concerned with the delay, stating on his Facebook that he was "absolutely thrilled" and promises fans that his movie "will be the real deal!".

Following the complaints against the somberness of Warner Bros.' "Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice", it could be speculated that the upcoming "Jungle Book" will be injected with more humour and light-heartedness, not only to appeal more to audiences but also, again, as an attempt to differentiate itself from its rival movie.

Meanwhile, audiences' positive response to Wonder Woman's appearance in the aforementioned "Batman V Superman" has prompted the studio to move her solo vehicle up several weeks to a new date of 2 June 2017.

(Photo source: Flickering Myth)