Jungle Book Film Awarded for Sparing Animal Lives

Director Jon Favreau has been recognized by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) for his role in the upcoming live-action adaptation of Disney’s The Jungle Book, created without the use of live animals. “Forward-thinking directors like Jon Favreau know that the future of film lies in technical wizardry, not in beating animals into performing,” PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange said. “PETA calls on directors and producers throughout Hollywood to follow in Jon Favreau and Disney’s progressive footsteps.” The multi-million dollar film’s visual effects team relied entirely on computer-generated imagery to create its ultra-realistic animals, along with footage of movement of animals and actors, to sync dialogue and have the animals “speak,” prompting PETA to recognize and give thanks to Favreau with its Innovation in Film Award. “It’s amazing what they can do with [creating the appearance of] fur and live-flesh animals,” Favreau said. “And so every day I go into work it’s astounding what these visual effects artists accomplish.”