A global search has resulted in the opportunity of a lifetime for 10-year-old New York newcomer Neel Sethi.

The youngster will be the only live actor in the animation and live-action Rudyard Kipling adaptation, set to open in 3D on October 9, 2015.

Idris Elba will voice Mowgli’s nemesis Shere Khan and takes his place in an illustrious voice cast that features Ben Kingsley as Bagheera, the black panther who helps to raise the boy.

Scarlett Johansson will portray the snake Kaa while Lupita Nyong’o is on board as Mowgli’s wolf-mother Raksha.

Jon Favreau directs from a screenplay by Justin Marks and said, “Neel has tremendous talent and charisma. There is a lot riding on his little shoulders and I’m confident he can handle it.”

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