Andy Serkis confirms that his big screen retelling of the Rudyard Kipling novel "The Jungle Book" has already started with production.

Serkis, popularly known for portraying Gollum in the "Lord of The Rings" movie series, is debuting as a director in the upcoming movie.

The film includes Benedict Cumberbatch as Shere Khan, Cate Blanchett as Kaa, Christian Bale as Bagheera, Naomie Harris as Nishi, Eddie Marsan as Vihaan, Peter Mullan as Akela, Tom Hollander as Tabaque, Jack Raynor as Mowgli's brother and Rohan Chand as Mowgli. Serkis, meanwhile, will be the voice behind Baloo.

Here's the plot summary via Joblo:

"The story follows the upbringing of the human child Mowgli, raised by a wolf pack in the jungles of India. As he learns the often harsh rules of the jungle, under the tutelage of a bear named Baloo and a panther named Bagheera, Mowgli becomes accepted by the animals of the jungle as one of their own. All but one: the fearsome tiger Shere Khan. But there may be greater dangers lurking in the jungle, as Mowgli comes face to face with his human origins."

Disney is also making another version of the Kipling classic, attaching "Iron Man 2" helmer Jon Favreau to the directors seat. It will also feature an impressive lineup of talents, including Ben Kingsley (Ender's Game) as Bagheera, Idris Elba (Pacific Rim) as Shere Khan, Bill Murray (St. Vincent) as Baloo, Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad) as Akela, Lupita Nyong'O (Star Wars: The Force Awakens)  as Raksha, Scarlett Johansson (Avengers: Age of Ultron) as Kaa, and newcomer Neel Sethi as Mowgli.

Favreau's version is expected to be closely similar to the 1967 animated feature, even featuring some of its songs. Serkis' version will take from the original novel's story, and will be shot in CG.

Disney's "The Jungle Book" releases in theaters on Apr. 15, 2016. Serkis' movie arrives on Oct. 6, 2017.