The Jungle Book (franchise) as Baloo, Ben Kingsley as Bagheera, Idris Elba as Shere Khan, Scarlett Johansson as Kaa, Lupita Nyong'o as Raksha, Giancarlo Esposito as Akela, and Christopher Walken as King Louie. The film was released on April 15, 2016 to critical acclaim. After a fierce tiger threatens his life, Mowgli, an orphan boy raised by wolves, leaves his jungle home and, guided by a stern panther and a free-spirited bear, sets out on a journey of self-discovery. Following the film's early financial and critical successes, the studio has begun work on a sequel film. Favreau is reported to return as director, while
Black Panther (comics) and final arc, "Panther vs. the Klan", ran as mostly 17-page stories in "Jungle Action" #19–24 (Jan.–Nov. 1976), except for issue #23, a reprint of "Daredevil" #69 (Oct. 1970), in which the Black Panther guest-starred. The subject matter of the Ku Klux Klan was considered controversial in the Marvel offices at the time, creating difficulties for the creative team. African-American writer-editor Dwayne McDuffie said of the "Jungle Action" "Black Panther" feature: Though popular with college students, the overall sales of "Jungle Action" were low, and Marvel relaunched the Black Panther in a self-titled series, bringing in the character's co-creator Jack