Jack Reynor joins Benedict Cumberbatch and Cate Blanchett for Andy Serkis' The Jungle Book

It's been announced today that mo-cap legend Andy Serkis' take on the classic tale Jungle Book is kicking off production.

Serkis' directorial debut will be a very different version of the classic animated film, taking more cues from Rudyard Kipling's source novel.

Benedict Cumberbatch will lend his voice to the tiger Shere Khan, whilst Cate Blanchett will voice the snake Kaa. Christian Bale, meanwhile, will be voicing Bagheera the Panther whilst Andy Serkis will voice Baloo the Bear.

Our own Jack Reynor will voice Brother Wolf, Mowgli's friend whilst Naomie Harris and Eddie Marsan will voice the wolf parents who raised Mowgli.

Newcomer Rohan Chand will play the role of young Mowgli whilst Pirates of the Carribean's Tom Hollander will voice the hyena Tabacqui.

The Jungle Book is expected in Irish cinemas in October 2017.