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Characters / The Jungle Book (1994)

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Titular Character

    Mowgli 
"The more I learn what is a man, the more I want to be an animal."
Played by: Jason Scott Lee

Mowgli is a young Indian man who started off as the son of a local jungle guide, but became orphaned and ended up living in the jungle while befriending the animals there.

  • Adaptational Badass: Even more so than his literary version and his 1967 animated version, as he was capable of fighting back against Kaa (a dangerous anaconda) in self-defense, and was able to tackle down Boone and several of his thugs when they were attacking him. He was even able to come face-to-face against Shere Khan (a dangerous tiger) without showing any cowardice.
  • Animal Lover: Mowgli is very loving and supportive towards animals in general, as he had a pet wolf named Grey Brother by his side since childhood. He gets along well with many of the animals living in the jungle; even at the time when he fought against Kaa (a dangerous python) and used a dagger to defeat him, it is only in self-defense rather than for sport (as covered by the jungle law). He is also appalled to see Boone's trophy room filled with the heads of animals that Boone killed for sport in the past, hearing the cries of anguish that each of them gave out before their deaths.
  • Animal Talk: After being reintroduced back into society, Mowgli explains to Kitty that the wolves taught him to understand and incorporate every sound, look and move inside the jungle, which may explain why he is able to survive living in the jungle. He also points out that the jungle can be a dangerous place for men to surf through because of their lack of knowledge of many elements in the jungle and how the animals communicate.
    Kitty: So, can you speak with the animals?
    Mowgli: Yes, but they speak not as men speak. With animals, every move, every look, every sound... has a meaning. The jungle speaks to me.... because I've learned how to listen.
    Kitty: (smiles) If you could've spoken to me the first time in the jungle, what you would've said?
  • Badass Boast: Delivers this during his fight against Boone inside King Louie's treasure cavern.
    Boone: What do you think you have that I don't, huh?!
    Mowgli: Strength of a bear.... speed of a panther.... heart of a wolf.... and very sharp teeth!
  • Big Damn Kiss: Tries to apply this to Kitty several times to show his true feelings to her ever since he was a child, only for her to run off, much to his discomfort. Only in the end, Kitty does return the favor by kissing Mowgli back after he saved her and her father from Boone and his men.
  • Charles Atlas Superpower: From growing up hard in the jungle, Mowgli is shown to be incredibly strong during the film, easily tossing Boone and his men around (including performing a Punch Catch) and climbing trees or buildings as fast as an animal.
  • Combat Pragmatist: Being raised by animals, Mowgli often uses various tricks, like biting or kicking someone in the "sweets".
  • Deadpan Snarker: Becomes one at times towards Boone and his men in particular, possibly due to their deplorable treatment towards him.
  • Dreaming of Things to Come: Young Mowgli tells his father that "the holy man" in his dream told him that he would confront Shere Khan without fear and become a "creature of the jungle". It ends up becoming fulfilled in the end.
  • Happily Adopted: Mowgli finds himself in solace of being with the wolves who raised him ever since his father died; he even lampshades this to Kitty before returning to the jungle.
  • Heroic BSoD: Suffers this as he ends up being humiliated by Boone's colleagues who pushed him into a table of food (on Boone's orders) following the announcement of Kitty and Boone, and several people laugh at him. An ashamed Mowgli decides that he doesn't fit with the village and returns to the jungle after somberly telling a sympathetic Kitty to move on without him, and Kitty angrily breaks off the engagement with Boone before slapping him in the face for what he did to Mowgli.
    Mowgli: I AM NOT A MAN!!! And I am not an animal.
    Kitty: Please don't leave.
    Mowgli: Why should I stay? I run with the wolf pack, you.... must run with the man pack. It is the proper thing. I will shame your house no more.
  • Humans Kill Wantonly: Mowgli explains that animals only kill to eat or survive. He doesn't understand the concept of killing out of hatred or sport and is not impressed when Boone explains it to him.
  • Missing Mom: Mowgli's mother died in childbirth just like Kitty's mother, as stated by Colonel Brydon.
  • Mighty Roar: Does this twice while facing off against Shere Khan, who returns the favor by accepting Mowgli as a fellow jungle creature and allowing him and Kitty to leave peacefully.
  • Mr. Fanservice: Jason Scott Lee in a loincloth, ladies?
  • Nature Hero: A young man raised by wolves in the jungle.
  • Noble Savage: In spite of being raised in the jungle and living as an animal, Mowgli is anything but uncivilized as he gets along well with many of the jungle animals and is fully knowledgable about the dangers of the jungle that other humans haven't learned. Even after being reintroduced into civilization and learning how to dance properly as a gentleman, Mowgli sadly tells Kitty that he doesn't belong in the village because of Boone's cruel treatment towards him, prompting a sad Kitty to break off her engagement with Boone in retaliation. Mowgli even saved Dr. Plumford from being murdered by Buldeo while getting Bagheera and the wolves to attack the other bandits. Even when Boone and his men coerced Mowgli to take them to the treasure in Monkey City by threatening to kill Kitty and her father, Mowgli coldly warns that while he will take them to Monkey City, they will not survive the journey because there are certain elements in the jungle that they aren't prepared for.
    Mowgli: I will take you there.... and we'll see who lives.
  • Raised by Wolves: Became the case as he and Grey Brother were taken in and raised by fierce yet kind wolves ever since Nathoo's death.
  • What Is Evil?: Upon being given a tour inside Boone's room where Boone shows him the weapons that he use to kill animals, Mowgli admits that he doesn't understand why some men want to kill for sport and the meaning of "enemy" and "hate". Boone is a little annoyed when he tries to explain it. It's only when Mowgli sees the heads and skins of the animals that Boone has killed over the past years, that he finally gets the point as he considers Boone to be despicable for his acts of killing to satisfy his desire for sport.
  • Vitriolic Best Buds: With Baloo, Bagheera, Grey Brother and the wolves.
  • You Killed My Father: Downplayed. Mowgli lost his father Nathoo, who died facing off against the fierce tiger Shere Khan. However, it was a complicated case as Shere Khan initially didn't want to kill Nathoo (since the latter always respected the jungle law), but is forced to do so because Nathoo stopped him from attacking his real target Buldeo, who ungratefully betrayed Nathoo by leaving him to die at the jaws of Shere Khan. Even if Mowgli found out about this, he still refuses to kill Shere Khan because it would still violate the jungle law. Surprisingly, Mowgli did indeed avenge Nathoo's death earlier by leaving Buldeo to be buried alive in a sand tomb inside King Louie's palace.

Jungle Animals

    Grey Brother 

Grey Brother is a grey wolf who was adopted by Mowgli when he was a child.

  • Adaptational Badass: Downplayed. In the books, Grey Brother killed Tabaqui, helped Mowgli herd the buffaloes that trampled Shere Khan to death, and participated in the battle against the dholes. Here in the film, he helped Mowgli, Bagheera and the other wolves in attacking the bandits in an attempt to save Colonel Brydon, Kitty and Dr. Plumford; even keeping on close watch when Boone takes Mowgli, Kitty and Brydon hostages.
  • Big Brother Instinct: Upon Mowgli chasing one of the Bandar log monkeys who stole Kitty's bracelet, Grey Brother tags along, but is told by Mowgli to remain in the jungle while he heads over to King Louie's palace. He even aids Mowgli, Bagheera and the wolves in attacking several bandits who were kidnapping Kitty and her father.
  • Demoted to Extra: Unlike his cartoon counterpart, Grey Brother doesn't do so much other than hanging out with Mowgli and the other animals.
  • Happily Adopted: Started off as an orphaned wolf cub who was adopted by Nathoo to serve as a pet companion for a young Mowgli. Even after Nathoo's death, the jungle wolves are willing to adopt Mowgli and Grey Brother as their own.
  • Morality Pet: Serves as this to Mowgli ever since he was a child. Even when they got separated from civilization, Mowgli refuses to leave Grey Brother behind and had themselves to be raised by other wolves.
  • Noble Wolf: A kind wolf who serves as a childhood pet to Mowgli, he even extends this to the other wolves, as well as Baloo and Bagheera; he even gets along well with Mowgli's childhood friend Kitty.

    Shere Khan 

Shere Khan is a fierce Bengal tiger who serves as the king/protector of the jungle and despises humans for their desire to hunt for sport and fun.

  • Adaptational Heroism: Shere Khan is the Big Bad of the book, due to his desire of killing Mowgli simply because of his existence as an orphaned human child. Here, Shere Khan is merely the ruthless, yet noble enforcer of jungle law who protects the animals from wicked hunters. He also shows no intention to either kill Mowgli or antagonize any of the animals (especially Baloo, Bagheera and the wolves) who have befriended Mowgli; he even accepts Mowgli as a fellow creature of the jungle once they meet face to face.
  • Anti-Villain: He acts as the protector of jungle in this film, as he enforces the jungle law, which is for animals (especially humans) to kill in order to eat and survive. He doesn't take kindly towards the belief that most humans kill for fun and sport, which is the main reason why he distrusts mankind in general. In spite of his hatred towards mankind, he will spare any human who respects the jungle law; this was shown when he was attacking the hunters who violated the jungle law while sparing the other humans who haven't. He even spared Mowgli and Kitty as they never broke the jungle law by allowing them to leave peacefully.
  • Big Bad Wannabe: Shere Khan was initially thought to be the Big Bad as he was responsible for killing Mowgli's father and causing Mowgli and Grey Brother to be separated from civilization and spend most of their lives in the jungle (though these actions were not intentional on his part). However, he is nothing compared to Boone, who is far more despicable given to his loving desire to hunt down animals for sport. Also, Boone desires to kill Shere Khan, much to the objections of Buldeo and the other bandits. As anyone would expect, Boone represents of what Shere Khan despises about mankind: as some men thrive on their desire for greed, sport, wrath and power at the cost of killing others.
  • Death Glare: He always gives that to the men who violated the jungle law (which is only to kill to either eat or survive), right before proceeding to maul them to death.
  • Demoted to Extra: Unlike his animated counterpart, Shere Khan doesn't do much other than patrolling the jungle and killing off any humans who break the jungle law.
  • The Dreaded: While all animals revere in his presence due to his role as protector of the jungle, the humans fear of him due to his distrust towards mankind; even the hunters fear him (with Buldeo calling him "The Devil").
  • Mighty Roar: Does this a lot to symbolize his power over the jungle, as well as his wrath against hunters who kill animals for sport.
  • Pet the Dog:
    • When Mowgli's father prevented Shere Khan from killing Buldeo, the tiger gave Nathoo a chance to step aside, and only killed him after the cowardly Buldeo ran off.
    • After Mowgli stands up by roaring back, Shere Khan willingly backs down and accepts Mowgli as a fellow creature of the jungle through his chuffs, allowing him and Kitty to leave peacefully; even giving a mere apology for killing Mowgli's father through his chuffs and moans. It was also told at the end by Colonel Brydon that Shere Khan willingly stepped down so that Mowgli himself can become the new protector of the jungle.
  • Spared by the Adaptation: In the original book, Shere Khan gets trampled to death by a buffalo stampede engineered by Mowgli and the wolf pack. Here in this film, he continues to live after accepting Mowgli as a fellow creature of the jungle; even stepping down to allow Mowgli to become the new ruler of the jungle.
  • Worthy Opponent: Becomes this at the end when he faced against Mowgli, who stands his ground by roaring back at him. At that point, in spite of Shere Khan's hatred towards humankind, he takes this as a sign that Mowgli is indeed a brave creature of the jungle who respects the jungle law, just like his father Nathoo.

    Bagheera 

Bagheera is a black panther who became friends with Mowgli ever since he led him to the jungle to be raised by the wolfpack.

  • Beware the Nice Ones: While he is gentle to Mowgli and his friends (including Kitty), he doesn't take kindly upon learning that Baloo was shot down by Boone and Wilkins for fun. To that end, he aids Mowgli and the wolves in attacking the bandits when they kidnapped Kitty and her father for leverage on Boone's orders. Even when Mowgli is forced to surrender himself in order to spare Kitty and her father's lives, Bagheera stares at both Boone and Wilkins while licking his tongue in a more hungry state, implying that he tends to devour them for what they did to Baloo; even Mowgli lampshades this to Boone and Wilkins:
    Wilkins: (watching Bagheera staring at him and Boone) Why do you suppose he stares at us like that?
    Mowgli: (coldly) Because to him, you.... are food!
    (Bagheera licks his tongue to prove Mowgli's point)
    Wilkins: (feeling uncomfortable) Oh, good.
  • Dark Is Not Evil: As dark as night, Bagheera is a nice and valiant panther, as he gets along well with Mowgli, Baloo, Grey Brother and the wolf pack. He even gets along well with Mowgli's childhood friend Kitty; even personally giving her and Mowgli an escort through a bridge back to the village after Shere Khan allowed them to leave peacefully.
  • Demoted to Extra: Unlike his cartoon counterpart, Bagheera doesn't do so much other than hanging out with Mowgli and the other animals. In addition, his role as the narrator in the original film is taken over by Colonel Brydon.
  • Panthera Awesome: As usual, Bagheera is an extreme fighter, as he was able to pounce at and maul a bandit to death, similar to how Shere Khan and the wolves attack the humans in the film.
  • Parental Substitute: While Mowgli was Raised by Wolves, Bagheera was the one who found him in the jungle and led him and Grey Brother to the wolf pack.
  • Vitriolic Best Buds: With Baloo, Grey Brother, Mowgli and the wolves.

    Baloo 

Baloo is a sloth bear who became friends with Mowgli in the jungle ever since they were young.

  • Actual Pacifist: Unlike Bagheera and the wolves, who mauled numerous bandits to death without hesitation, Baloo, in this adaptation, appears completely docile around humans and animals alike, never doing anything more than roar to protect his friends (this gets him easily shot by the villains and severely wounded).
  • Beary Friendly: Baloo becomes a close friend to Mowgli, Bagheera, Grey Brother and the wolf pack after Mowgli saved him from being stuck in a log when they were young. He even extends this to Kitty after she reintroduced civilization back to Mowgli; he even does the same to Dr. Plumford after the latter treated his wounds and called him a good patient.
  • Beary Funny: He epitomizes the "lovable lug" archetype for bears.
  • Demoted to Extra: Unlike his cartoon counterpart, Baloo doesn't do so much other than hanging out with Mowgli and the other animals.
  • Disney Death: Gets shot and left for dead by Boone and Wilkins. Luckily, Mowgli gets Dr. Plumford to treat Baloo's wounds while justice has been served as Boone and Wilkins end up being killed by Shere Khan and Kaa.
  • A Dog Named "Dog": A bilingual example: "Baloo" means "bear" in Hindi, so Baloo could also be known as "Bear, the bear". Even a young Mowgli lampshades this while being lectured by his father Nathoo earlier in the movie.
  • I'm Not Afraid of You: After scaring Buldeo to prevent him from shooting Mowgli, Baloo finds himself being held at gunpoint by Boone and Wilkins. Despite this, Baloo refuses to run off and attempts to stand his ground against the wicked hunters, but ends up being shot anyways.
  • Papa Wolf: Towards Mowgli. Messing with Mowgli will get you trouble from Baloo. This was shown when he furiously roared at Wilkins when the latter shot Mowgli in the arm (though not fatally). He does this again to Buldeo to successfully prevent him from shooting down Mowgli, though this ends with Baloo getting shot by Boone and Wilkins in return, much to Mowgli's distress.
  • Vitriolic Best Buds: With Bagheera, Grey Brother, Mowgli and the wolves.

    King Louie 

King Louie is an orangutan who serves as the King of the Bandar log, residing in the lost city of Hanuman (also known as Monkey City) located in the jungle.

  • Adaptational Heroism: Downplayed. In the cartoon, he kidnapped Mowgli as he was bent on finding out the power of the red flower (known as fire) so that he can be powerful as mankind. Here, he has his own city filled with numerous treasure and is intent on maintaining control in his city while having no intentions in being powerful as mankind. However, he is not above in summoning Kaa (with a set of claps) to kill intruders, though this may be justified on the fact the humans in the past tried to steal the city treasure out of greed. Even in the end, he gives his full support for Mowgli when the latter fights against Boone inside the treasure cavern.
  • Anti-Villain: A minor case as he helps Mowgli by getting Kaa to attack and kill Boone for the trouble that the evil hunter has caused in the jungle.
  • Death Glare: Gives one to Boone for trying to kill Mowgli and the others for fun and steal the treasure for his own greed, implying that he hates the evil hunter for his desire of killing animals for sport.
  • Demoted to Extra: Unlike his cartoon counterpart, King Louie doesn't do so much other than ruling Monkey City and summoning Kaa to kill intruders.
  • Erudite Orangutan: He is the orangutan king of Monkey City.
  • Misplaced Wildlife: The story is set in India, but orangutans live in Indonesia.
  • Pet the Dog: Gives the bracelet that he stole back to Mowgli after witnessing his bravery during his fight against Kaa. He even cheers for Mowgli when the latter defeats Boone in combat before proceeding to summon Kaa to kill Boone for good.
  • Worthy Opponent: Earlier, he considers Mowgli to be a rival as he had one of the Bandar log monkeys to steal Kitty's bracelet that Mowgli wore; he even sets Kaa to attack Mowgli when the latter confronted him. However, after Mowgli defeats Kaa, Louie was upset at first, but warms up to Mowgli by willingly returning the bracelet back to him, seeing that Mowgli has no intention in stealing any treasure; he even allowed Mowgli to keep the golden dagger that he used against Kaa as a reward. Even in Mowgli's second visit in Monkey City as he fights off Boone, King Louie and the Bandar log gave in their genuine support for Mowgli for defeating Boone in combat; even allowing Mowgli to escape with Kitty while summoning Kaa to deal with Boone for good.

    Kaa 

Kaa is a giant deadly snake who serves as treasure guardian for King Louie inside Monkey City.

  • Adaptational Heroism: Downplayed. In the cartoon, he is a rogue python who attempted to devour Mowgli to satisfy his hunger. Here in the film, he serves as the dangerous guardian summoned by King Louie to attack and devour any human who dares to steal the treasure inside Monkey City. Justified in the fact that the victims that he killed earlier actually tried to steal the treasure to satisfy their own greed; even the wicked Boone himself suffers the same fate.
  • Anti-Villain: A minor case as he attacks and devours Boone on King Louie's orders for the trouble that the evil hunter has caused in the jungle.
  • Death Glare: He always gives that to the intruders who enter King Louie's palace before attacking them; even Mowgli and Boone are very terrified by this.
  • Demoted to Extra: Unlike his cartoon counterpart, Kaa doesn't do so much other than stalking and attacking intruders inside King Louie's treasure cavern.
  • The Dreaded: King Louie, despite being able to summon Kaa, is somewhat unnerved by his presence; and Mowgli, despite having beaten him once, is not keen on having a rematch. Even Boone himself is horrified upon being confronted by the angry snake before his death.
  • Misplaced Wildlife: In this film, Kaa appears as a big anaconda (a snake from South America) rather than being an Indian or reticulated python in the original stories.
  • Revenge Is Not Justice: During Mowgli's first visit to Monkey City, Kaa was summoned by King Louie to attack Mowgli, who fights back by using a dagger to stab Kaa several times, forcing the python to slither away in defeat to avoid any more stab wounds that would kill him. However, having been fully healed of his wounds during Mowgli's second visit, Kaa is summoned by King Louie again, but he focuses on attacking Boone while allowing Mowgli and Kitty to escape, knowing fully well that another match with Mowgli is not worth the trouble after what he went through.
  • Snakes Are Sinister: A more menacing version of the snake who is ordered by King Louie to devour any intruders on sight inside Monkey City.

Mowgli's Allies

    Colonel Geoffrey Brydon 
Played by: Sam Neill

Colonel Brydon is an officer in the British Army and the father of Kitty Brydon. He is also the narrator of the film.

  • Animal Lover: Downplayed. Brydon dislikes elephants in general, finding them to be an annoyance at best. In spite of this, Brydon knows better to respect the jungle law as he refuses to hunt down animals (especially elephants) for sport and fun; even his failed attempt to shoot Shere Khan (a fierce tiger) was only out of obligation to protect the villagers (as covered by the jungle law). He even willingly attempted to save Mowgli and Grey Brother (an orphaned wolf cub) from a burning cart filled with kerosene barrels.
  • British Stuffiness: He's initially uncomfortable with Kitty spending so much time with Mowgli due to him being a "savage raised by animals". However, he changes his mind when Mowgli comes by to rescue both him and Kitty when they end up being taken hostage by Boone; he even waved happily upon seeing them leaving the jungle unharmed.
  • Colonel Badass: When bandits attack his jungle caravan, Brydon manages to kill several of them personally. However, it's not enough as one of them manages to shoot him from behind, though not fatally.
  • Covers Always Lie: The back of the VHS box refers to him as Major Brydon instead of Colonel. It's possible he was a major at the start of the film and was promoted to colonel during the time skip.
  • Defrosting Ice Queen: A male version of this when it comes to Mowgli. Upon hearing that Mowgli and Grey Brother actually spent 15 years in the jungle, Brydon felt uneasy about this, finding it hard to believe that a 5-year-old child can live in the jungle and getting himself raised by wolves. He even voiced his disapproval of this to Kitty, who briefly accuses him for not being there for Mowgli when he needed him the most (given to Brydon's close friendship with Mowgli's father Nathoo, who died facing off against Shere Khan thanks to Buldeo's actions). Eventually, after left for dead by Boone in the jungle, Brydon gets rescued by Mowgli, who promises to rescue Kitty from Boone. Being grateful towards Mowgli, Brydon happily informs him that any man who can count Mowgli as a friend can be very lucky to survive any unknown element in the jungle.
  • Everyone Has Standards: Brydon was willing to shoot down Shere Khan (a fierce Bengal tiger), but this was only in an attempt to save Nathoo and protect the other people from the tiger's wrath, not for sport. However, he was missing the bullets and Nathoo ends up being mauled to death, and Brydon furiously declares Buldeo a wanted outlaw for shooting down animals for fun and provoking Shere Khan's anger that caused Nathoo's death in the first place. Even given to his open disdain towards elephants, Brydon refuses to kill them for sport because doing so would violate the jungle law and have himself suffer the same fate as Nathoo.
    • Brydon also doesn't approve of his fellow officers torturing prisoners during interrogation; this was shown when he questioned Boone's torture of Mowgli in the cell. Brydon even had Mowgli released after learning from Kitty who he really was and that he didn't commit any crime, entrusting both Kitty and Plumford to reintroduce civilization back into Mowgli's life.
    Wilkins: This is the intruder we caught.
    Brydon: I'm aware of that, but does detaining a prisoner mean you have to beat him half to death?!
  • The Gunslinger: He carries a pistol. As shown during the bandit attack, he's quite good with it.
  • Horrible Judge of Character: At first, he was supportive towards Boone, even giving his approval for Boone's engagement with Kitty. But things take a turn for the worst when Boone betrays Brydon by murdering many of Brydon's loyal soldiers and kidnapping both Brydon and Kitty, all just because Kitty called off the engagement due to Boone's treatment towards Mowgli. Brydon is even more outraged that Boone, Wilkins and Harley were also harboring Buldeo (who is wanted for poaching and Nathoo's death) from the law behind Brydon's back, and that Boone was expecting for Brydon to die during the kidnapping. Realizing that he made a terrible mistake in trusting Boone, Brydon furiously berates Boone for his treason, declaring him to be despicable.
    Brydon: (outraged by Boone's betrayal and that he is in league with Buldeo) Captain Boone.... am I to understand you're with this scum?!!
  • I Owe You My Life: Upon being rescued by Mowgli (who promises to rescue Kitty from Boone and his men) in the jungle, a grateful Brydon admits that he can count Mowgli as a good friend just like he had with Nathoo. He even waved happily after seeing that Mowgli has successfully rescued Kitty as promised.
  • Officer and a Gentleman: Despite serving as a stern high-ranking British officer during the colonial days of the British Raj in India, Brydon is a fair leader to the villagers (both the Indian natives and British citizens alike) and respects the jungle law (which is the main reason why Shere Khan doesn't target him); he even considers Nathoo (his trusted jungle guide) and Mowgli to be close friends.
  • Papa Wolf: Despite suffering from a gunshot wound, Brydon furiously assaults Tabaqui when the latter starts to roughly manhandle his daughter, but Buldeo head-butts him with his gun. He even voices his complete outrage towards Boone for betraying him and Kitty by vowing to have Boone court-martialed for treason, only to be head-butted by Buldeo again.
    • Earlier in the film when he noticed Mowgli and Grey Brother being stuck on a cart caught on fire and filled with barrels of kerosene, Brydon tried to save them both by calling out to Mowgli, but the horses got startled by the fire and started running away, dragging the burning cart with Mowgli and Grey Brother on it, much to Brydon's distraught.
  • Reasonable Authority Figure: Despite being a high-ranking British army colonel ruling a village in India, Brydon is well-liked given to his fair nature among the villagers; he is even appalled of the ideas of poaching animals and torturing prisoners for fun. He even respects Kitty's decision to break off her engagement with Boone due to the latter's deplorable treatment towards Mowgli.
  • Why Did It Have to Be Snakes?: Brydon can't stand elephants. Despite this, he had no choice to ride on one on its back to return to the village for reinforcements while gratefully entrusting Mowgli to rescue Kitty from Boone. Also, he knows better not to let his disdain towards elephants extend to killing them for sport, knowing that it would be a violation of the jungle law that would come back to take away his own life in return.

    Katherine "Kitty" Brydon 
Played by: Lena Headey

Kitty is Mowgli's love interest. She is Colonel Brydon's daughter.

  • Animal Lover: Kitty tends to be civil with animals. She even gets along well with many of Mowgli's animal friends in the jungle (mostly Baloo, Bagheera, Grey Brother and the wolves). In addition, King Louie and the Bandar log had no issues with Kitty as they let her escape the treasure cavern with Mowgli while having Kaa to deal with Boone. Even the fierce Shere Khan is willing to let Kitty peacefully leave the jungle with Mowgli, considering the fact that she never violated the jungle law.
  • Bitch Slap: Does this to Boone after breaking off her engagement with him due to his deplorable behavior towards Mowgli.
  • Deadpan Snarker: She becomes this towards Boone in the second half of the movie after learning his true nature.
  • Expy: To Shanti from the 1967 animated film: they are both nice girls who served as the Love Interests for Mowgli ever since childhood, and the ones responsible for reintroducing him to civilization. However, Shanti is a young native Indian girl while Kitty was born to a rich British family.
  • Horrible Judge of Character: At first, Kitty is fond towards Boone and reluctantly agreed to an engagement with him; even trying to convince him to be civil with Mowgli. But upon witnessing the horrible treatment that Boone and his men inflicted on Mowgli (especially at the ballroom), Kitty furiously decides to break off her engagement with Boone for good; she even lampshades this by admitting to Boone that her agreement to marry him was a complete mistake following Mowgli's departure. Even her father follows up the same mindset upon learning that Boone was harboring Buldeo from the law.
  • Missing Mom: According to her father, Kitty's mother died in childbirth similar to the case with Mowgli's mother.
  • Nice Girl: She happens to be close friends with Mowgli during childhood; even helping reintroduce civilization to him. Also, despite her British heritage, she even considers India to be her home that she truly values.
  • White Man's Burden: As the British colonial mindset is shown very firmly in this film, Kitty says it is their duty to help Mowgli return to civilization. It is portrayed sympathetically, but it also sends a message that still has some racist connotations.
  • Worthless Treasure Twist: Upon reaching the treasure room inside King Louie's palace, Kitty initially intended to take at least one valuable treasure, only to be reminded by Mowgli that the treasure would bring death (at the jaws of Kaa) for those who are greedy in nature. Only when seeing Boone grabbing a bag full of treasure and calling her out to fetch some more out of greed, Kitty finally gets the point and escapes with Mowgli, leaving Boone to suffer a Karmic Death at the jaws of Kaa.

    Nathoo 
Played by: Faran Tahir

Nathoo is Colonel Brydon's jungle guide and Mowgli's father.

  • Animal Lover: Being aware of the dangers of the jungle, Nathoo respects the jungle law and the animals living in there; he even took in Grey Brother (an orphaned wolf cub) as a pet companion for Mowgli.
  • Deadpan Snarker: Nathoo delivers this to Buldeo after rightfully accusing him for shooting down animals for fun and provoking Shere Khan's rage:
    Nathoo: Would you allow someone to break into your house and steal your food?!
  • Deceased Parents Are the Best: He is considered to be a good parent to Mowgli until his death. This was shown earlier when Nathoo gives a flower to a woman and kisses her gently before winking at Mowgli, who takes interest of doing the same to Kitty.
  • Face Death with Dignity: Upon being betrayed by Buldeo while being left at the wrath of Shere Khan, Nathoo refuses to run off and attempts to defend himself while he can, and he ends up being mauled to death by the tiger (despite Colonel Brydon's actual attempts to save Nathoo).
  • Nerves of Steel: Unlike many of the local guides and hunters, Nathoo is extremely courageous as he was willing to face off against Shere Khan to death with a knife. Even at the end of the film, Shere Khan willingly spares and accepts Mowgli as a fellow creature of a jungle for inheriting Nathoo's sense of bravery; he even chuffed and moaned as an apology for killing Nathoo, assuring that it was Nothing Personal.
  • Nice Guy: He is this to many of the villagers due to his extensive knowledge of the jungle and its law; even Colonel Brydon and Dr. Plumford place a great deal of trust of him during their expeditions.
  • Papa Wolf: Upon seeing Shere Khan attacking the camp, Nathoo orders Mowgli to stay in their tent while he goes off to face off against Shere Khan to protect the people. He even tried to save Mowgli and Grey Brother from a burning cart, but Shere Khan was still threatening him.
  • Sacrificial Lion: Nathoo died protecting others from Shere Khan at the cost of his own life. However, his death has caused Mowgli and Grey Brother to be separated from society and spending most of their lives in the jungle raised by wolves. Colonel Brydon, Dr. Plumford and Kitty all mourned for Nathoo's death, implying that he was a close friend to them; even a furious Brydon declares Buldeo a wanted criminal for provoking Shere Khan and causing Nathoo's death in the first place. Even at the end, Shere Khan openly regrets killing Nathoo, knowing that he was one of the few honorable humans who upheld the jungle law.

    Dr. Julius Plumford 
Played by: John Cleese

Dr. Julius Plumford is Colonel Brydon's surgeon and best friend.

  • Animal Lover: He doesn't seem to mind riding on an elephant. He even treated Baloo (a sloth bear) of his shotgun wounds, declaring him to be a very good patient because of his docile nature, much to Mowgli's delight.
  • Chivalrous Pervert: If this line of his is anything to go by:
    Dr. Plumford: Man. Woman. Woman. One man, two women. Lucky man.
  • I Owe You My Life: When the bandits were kidnapping Colonel Brydon and Kitty while killing many of Brydon's loyal soldiers, Buldeo attempts to kill Plumford with a dagger. Fortunately, Mowgli arrives to Plumford's rescue by shoving Buldeo away while getting Bagheera and the wolves to attack and kill many of the bandits. Mowgli then told Plumford that Boone sent Buldeo and the bandits to kidnap Colonel Brydon and Kitty as part of his true plan to force Mowgli to lead him to the lost city in the jungle for its treasure. Understanding the situation, Plumford gratefully thanks Mowgli for saving his life, and he willingly returns the favor by treating Baloo's wounds after Mowgli rescues Brydon and Kitty.
    Dr. Plumford: (horrified to see Buldeo and Tabaqui kidnapping Brydon and Kitty) Why did they do this?
    Mowgli: They wanted me to come for her.... they know I'll come for her.
    Dr. Plumford: You saved my life, Mowgli.
    Mowgli: (nods in return) Yes, doctor. Now I need you... to save the life of another.
  • Nice Guy: Tends to be civil with others; he even willingly helped Kitty in reintroducing Mowgli to civilization and treated Baloo of his wounds.
  • Stiff Upper Lip: He remains composed no matter how awkward or embarrassing the situation is.
  • Super Doc: After Baloo is shot, Mowgli politely asks Dr. Plumford to heal his wounds. Although Dr. Plumford is a surgeon, he's more of a people doctor than an animal doctor. However, he is successful in healing Baloo, as shown in the end. Then again, he is a military surgeon, so treating gunshot wounds is probably not a foreign concept to him.

Villains

    William Boone 
"I don't know about any Jungle Law, but I do keep Man's Law. And Man's Law rules around here."
Played by: Cary Elwes

William Boone is the main antagonist of the film. He is a British Army captain who serves as Kitty's ex-suitor while becoming obsessed with the treasures of Monkey City.

  • And There Was Much Rejoicing: When Boone gets devoured by Kaa, King Louie leads the monkeys in applause.
  • Bad Boss: He doesn't really care much when his men are killed - most notably Harley and Buldeo. It's apparent that he abhors Harley, to the point where he very coldly dismisses Harley's death as a slight inconvenience and later with Buldeo, if anything, he's more mildly confused as to where Buldeo went and why he's not answering him.
  • Betrayal by Inaction: After Harley drowned in quicksand, Boone callously ordered his men to take Kitty hostage while leaving a wounded Brydon to die in the jungle.
    Boone: (leaving a wounded Brydon on his own to die in the jungle) Such is life.
  • Betrayal Insurance: After being dumped by Kitty for his deplorable behavior towards Mowgli, as well as his failed attempt to kidnap Mowgli, Boone pulled this out by getting bandits to kidnap Brydon and Kitty and murder many of Brydon's loyal men, all as a means of coercing Mowgli to lead him and his men to Monkey City for its treasure. Made even worse of the fact as he initially intended to have Brydon murdered as he angrily berated Buldeo and Tabaqui for not killing him when they had the chance. He even lampshades this while revealing his true nature to an appalled Brydon.
    Boone: (furious to see that Brydon is still alive) WHAT IS HE DOING HERE?!! That wasn't our plan, was it, Buldeo?!
    Buldeo: (embarrassed) It was a mistake.
    Brydon: (outraged by Boone's betrayal and that he is in league with Buldeo) Captain Boone.... am I to understand you're with this scum?!!
    Boone: (smiles sinisterly) Much to my surprise, sir.... I have many friends in low places.
  • Big Bad: Serves as this in the film, as he is determined to enrich himself by any means necessary, even it means torturing Mowgli, holding Colonel Brydon and Kitty hostage, and murdering several of Colonel Brydon's loyal soldiers. He is also known to having harboured Buldeo (a wanted outlaw charged for killing animals and indirectly causing the deaths of Nathoo and two soldiers) from the law; he also enjoys killing animals for pleasure as he mounts the heads of the animals he killed on his quarters, he even shot Baloo for fun and planned to kill the fearsome tiger Shere Khan for his skin, much to the disgust of his fellow conspirators.
  • Canon Foreigner: Boone was created to serve as a direct foil to Mowgli in this film, replacing Shere Khan as the Big Bad of the story.
  • Chewing the Scenery: Cary Elwes' performance as William Boone is very cartoonish and hammy.
  • Death by Irony: Boone has dedicated much of his life hunting animals for sports and fun; yet, he ends up being hunted to death by Kaa in the end.
  • Death by Materialism: Boone sinks in the water due to being dragged down by all the gold he took from the temple... dragged down by his own greed. He doesn't drown though, Kaa follows him into the water and takes him out instead. Mowgli said it best, "This treasure only brings death."
  • Disposable Fiancé: He is first introduced as a suitor to Kitty and he becomes increasingly jealous of her growing relationship with Mowgli. Later, when she defers an answer to his marriage proposal, he manipulates her into accepting it.
  • Dirty Cop: In spite of being a respectable officer of the British Army, Boone has no qualms of harbouring Buldeo (a wanted bandit for killing animals and causing three deaths at the jaws of Shere Khan) from the law. He also has no qualms in having Buldeo to lead several more bandits in kidnapping Brydon, Kitty and Mowgli at the cost of killing many of Brydon's loyal soldiers.
  • Dying Alone: His ultimate fate. When he meets his demise at the jaws of Kaa, he's miles from civilization, all of his lackeys are dead, Mowgli and Kitty have abandoned him, and he's surrounded by the bones of forgotten men who also tried to claim a treasure that didn't belong to them.
  • Egomaniac Hunter: Makes no secret of his desire of hunting down animals for fun; he even has his own trophy room filled with the heads and skins of the animals he killed in the past, much to Mowgli's disgust.
  • Embodiment of Vice: As anyone would expect, Boone epitomizes the dark side of mankind that relies on power, corruption, greed, wrath, lust, and desire for sport through acts of killing. These traits are what caused Mowgli and many of the jungle animals (mostly Baloo, Bagheera, Grey Brother, the wolf pack, King Louie, Kaa, and the Bandar log) to despise Boone for his multiple violations of the jungle law; even the mighty Shere Khan considers this to be the sole reason why he distrusts mankind in the first place. Even Mowgli himself lampshades this to Boone as the main reason why he won't take him to Monkey City in the first place:
    Mowgli: Man has many laws.... most about killing. You kill for sport.... and anger and treasure! The jungle law says: "We may only kill to eat.... or to keep from being eaten."
  • Evil Brit
  • Evil Cannot Comprehend Good: Downplayed. Upon asking Mowgli why he won't take him to Monkey City, Boone is told by Mowgli that those who uphold the jungle law (which states that one must must kill either for food or survival) are allowed to go there, and since Boone has broken the jungle law many times as he hunts animals down for sport, he cannot be allowed to go there. Despite admitting that he does hunt animals for sport, Boone is unperturbed as he mocks Mowgli for this lecture by saying that he had no knowledge about the jungle law until the moment, and that he upholds man's law that has far more power than the jungle law, and that Mowgli "almost" sounds a like a real talking man instead of an animal that is trained to do so.
  • Evil Colonialist: He treats India as though it's his own playground: He kills the wildlife for sport and plunders its treasures.
  • Evil Counterpart: He is this to Mowgli in general: both were strong-willed men raised in different worlds (Mowgli was raised in the jungle and admired by many of the animals while Boone was raised to become a respectable soldier and admired by many of the villagers for his charisma), and they are in love with Kitty. However, Mowgli is more honorable and knows not to cross any moral standards when it come to society; he even was willing to put aside his love for Kitty while returning to the jungle for solace. Boone, on the other hand, is more despicable as he was willing to violate any moral standards to satisfy his ego and greed; even attempting to take Kitty to himself after she broke up with him, proving himself to be more despicable than Mowgli would ever be.
    • He is also this to Colonel Brydon in general: both are respectable army officers who hold high regard to their social standings and placed a great deal of trust with each other. However, Brydon is a more Reasonable Authority Figure as he upholds the safety of others (especially Mowgli and the jungle creatures) while Boone is a corrupt Dirty Cop who relishes on torturing and killing others (both humans and animals) to satisfy his ego and greed.
  • Evil Laugh: Upon entering the treasure cavern inside Monkey City and seeing all the 'mountains of treasure' residing in there (as described earlier by Mowgli), Boone gives out a creepy laugh, knowing fully well that it will satisfy his greed. However, this is cut short by the arrival of Mowgli, who defeats him in combat before allowing Kaa to take down Boone.
  • Evil Poacher: Likes to hunt animals for sport; he even mounts the heads of the animals that he killed on his trophy room. He even shot down Baloo and left him for dead; even vowing to hunt down Shere Khan for his skin.
  • Even Evil Has Loved Ones: Downplayed, but he's visibly concerned for Wilkins when he hears him being attacked and killed by Shere Khan, which shows that, despite being a Bad Boss, Boone still considered Wilkins his friend.
  • Failure Is the Only Option: Boone was doomed due to succumbing to his own greed. Even if Boone had managed to avoid being eaten by Kaa and escaped with some of the treasure, he would still be stuck in the jungle with a bleeding arm, and no way of knowing how to get back to the fort without food or weapons, and he would likely be tracked down and mauled to death by Shere Khan for his sadistic nature. Even if Boone somehow managed to escape the jungle and make it back to the village, Colonel Brydon, who had beaten him there with Mowgli's help, would have simply confiscated the treasure before having Boone arrested, court-martialed and executed for his crimes. Then again, Boone is clearly insane, so he likely didn't think of that.
  • Greed: His main motivation.
  • Hate Sink: A snobbish, classist bully and a malevolent, greedy opportunist who is damn impossible to sympathize with.
  • Hypocrite: Boone doesn't so much as bat an eyelid when Harley is drowned in quicksand, however later that day, when Tabaqui is killed, Kitty (making fun of Boone) dismisses the situation as a "shame", whereupon Boone looks at her incredulously - apparently forgetting his lack of remorse earlier. In fact, after Tabaqui dies, it's then that he wants Mowgli dead.note 
    • Boone declares to Mowgli that it's his job as a British army officer to uphold laws written by mankind, yet it serves no excuse of him killing animals for sport (which is considered a violation of the jungle law). It is also obvious that Boone himself willingly broke the laws he once upheld by helping Buldeo evade the authorities for years and committing treason against Brydon and his loyal officers, all just to satisfy his sense of greed.
  • Just Desserts: After spending the film killing and maiming man and beast alike Boone finds himself prey to Kaa, the giant snake who guards the treasure of Monkey City.
  • Karmic Death: His greed for treasure, along with his desire to kill others (both animals and humans) for sport, lack of concern over the loss of his men, and having Kitty to himself, proves to be his downfall as Kaa scares him into a water moat. There, the bag of treasure that he's holding onto drags him down where skeletal remains of Kaa's past victims who sought the treasure as well, a revelation that horrifies Boone before meeting his end at the jaws of Kaa.
  • Kick the Dog: Does this a lot of times:
    • Killing animals and mounting their heads on his trophy room.
    • Capturing and torturing Mowgli under false pretenses of attempted murder and theft.
    • Having his colleagues to humiliate Mowgli by pushing him into a table of food after announcing his engagement to Kitty.
    • Shooting down Baloo following his failed attempt to kidnap Mowgli.
    • Committing treason by kidnapping Colonel Brydon and Kitty while murdering many of Brydon's loyal officers, in order to coerce Mowgli to lead him to Monkey City in order to steal its treasure.
    • Showing no concern for the loss of his men, even leaving a wounded Brydon to die in the jungle.
    • Planning to kill Shere Khan (the protector of the jungle) for his skin.
    • Attempting to kill Mowgli several times.
    • Kissing Kitty out of spite when she tried to fight back against him.
  • Lack of Empathy: He clearly doesn't care upon the suffering of others in general as long as it suits him. He enjoys hunting down animals and mounting their heads, had his men to jail and torture Mowgli, shot down Baloo, and murdered many of Colonel Brydon's loyal men. He also showed no concern over the losses of his own men to the dangers of the jungle; even taking a kidnapped Kitty hostage while leaving a wounded Brydon to die. He even planned to hunt down Shere Khan for his skin, despite being warned by the superstitious Buldeo not to.
  • Loves Only Gold: It becomes abundantly clear near the end of the film that he loves treasure and gold far more than he ever could love Kitty. It was also the main reason why he met his Karmic Death at the jaws of Kaa.
  • Manipulative Bastard: Boone tries to propose to Kitty, but she gives a rather vague "I don't know what to say." Later during a ball, when he sees Mowgli waltzing with Kitty, Boone uses it to his advantage to pull an underhanded move. He approaches Brydon and tells him Kitty accepted his proposal, prompting Brydon to make it a big announcement in front of everyone whilst putting Kitty in an uncomfortable position to accept the engagement.
  • Meaningful Name: He shares his surname with Daniel Boone, who was also an expert hunter and soldier.
  • Moral Myopia: Acting on his reputation as a well-respected British military officer, Boone claims that his job is to enforce laws. Yet, he has no qualms in breaking those laws he once upheld, as he clearly enjoys torturing prisoners without approval, harbouring a wanted criminal from the authorities, shooting down animals and mounting their heads as trophies, and committing treason against his superior by holding him and his daughter hostage, all just to appease his sense of greed.
  • Never My Fault: Boone refuses to accept that his deplorable behavior against Mowgli is the sole reason why Kitty broke off her engagement with him in the first place; even when a disgusted Kitty lampshades this by declaring her relationship with Boone to be a complete mistake for the same reason, Boone angrily refuses to let this be, prompting an angry Kitty to Bitch Slap him.
    Boone: No, Katherine! I think it is YOU who has mistaken. I realize this adolescent infatuation you have with this savage has addled your brain, but I can't allow you to make a fool of me and I will not lose you to some puerile jungle boy!
  • Ooh, Me Accent's Slipping: Cary Elwes' accent slips and sounds American at times. The most notable example being a line during his sword fight with Mowgli, who gives his Badass Boast in return. A particularly interesting case when you consider that Cary Elwes is genuinely British.
    Boone: What do you think you have that I don't, huh?!
  • Sore Loser: Doesn't take kindly to Kitty breaking off her engagement with him, so he resorts to kidnapping her while shooting down Baloo and several of Brydon's loyal men (even leaving a wounded Brydon for dead), all part of his true plan to coerce Mowgli to lead him to the treasure inside King Louie's palace. Even when after losing all of his men (including Buldeo) to the dangers of the jungle and being warned of Shere Khan's wrath, Boone cared less of his men's fates as he still intends to kill both Mowgli and Shere Khan for fun and have Kitty and the treasure to himself. Even when Mowgli rightfully defeats Boone in combat before escaping with Kitty, Boone intends to compensate his loss by stealing a bag of treasure for himself while loudly declaring that he never wanted Kitty, which ironically leads to his Karmic Death.
  • "Take That!" Kiss: Following Buldeo's death inside Monkey City, Kitty tries to free herself by violently striking Boone in the chest. It didn't work, and Boone retaliates by grabbing Kitty in the cheeks and forcefully kissing her, much to her complete disgust.
  • Trophy Room: Boone has an extensive one at his residence which contains heads and skins of all the animals he has killed. He hopes to add Shere Khan's hide to it as well.
  • Wardens Are Evil: Upon capturing Mowgli and confining him to the dungeon, Boone gets Harley to brutalize Mowgli in giving him information about the dagger in Mowgli's person (to no avail). Even when an objecting Brydon tries to convince Boone to go easy with Mowgli, Boone pretends to oblige to this while still having Harley to torture Mowgli behind Brydon's back. Even when Kitty got Mowgli released (with the permission from Colonel Brydon) by clearing up the misunderstanding regarding to Mowgli's arrival, Boone showed no remorse over his actions.
  • What Does She See in Him?: Even long before his mutiny and hunt for the treasure, Boone was a sleazy narcissist who made very little effort to be charismatic or likable. While holding Mowgli prisoner and trying to convince Kitty that Mowgli is responsible for his own injuries (which is a lie), rather than pretend to at least sound concerned or bewildered, Boone comes across as indignant and smug. It's a wonder a girl like Kitty ended up with him at all in the first place.
  • Villainous Breakdown: After having his men killed, and being defeated by Mowgli in the finale, Boone undergoes one upon watching Mowgli and Kitty escape the treasure cavern. Having lost his chance to kill Mowgli and have Kitty for himself, Boone angrily lashes out of them while stealing a bag of treasure to compensate his loss. It's cut short by King Louie and Kaa.
    Boone: KATHERINE!! Look what we can have together! (Kitty, disgusted, leaves with Mowgli) Katherine, come back! All right, go then!! GO!! GO WITH YOUR JUNGLE BOY!! I got what I came for! I DON'T NEED YOU!!

    Buldeo 
Played by: Stefan Kalipha

Buldeo is the secondary antagonist of the film. He is a guide-turned-criminal who informs William Boone of the legendary City of Hanuman (known to Mowgli as "Monkey City").

  • Adaptational Villainy: In the original novel, Buldeo was just an arrogant hunter who plays off the villagers' superstition to turn against Mowgli for his own ambitions. In this adaptation, he starts off as a fellow jungle guide who enjoys hunting and abandons Mowgli's father to die, and years later has become a greedy and conniving outlaw who has no problem killing or kidnapping people if it means getting what he wants.
  • Big Bad Wannabe: Similar to Shere Khan, Buldeo was initially thought to be the Big Bad as he was responsible for provoking Shere Khan that resulted the death of Mowgli's father and causing Mowgli and Grey Brother to be separated from civilization and spend most of their lives in the jungle in the first place. However, he is nothing compared to Boone, who had bigger plans than anyone else and that he was harbouring Buldeo from the authorities.
  • Cruel and Unusual Death: He gets caught in a booby-trapped crypt which begins lowering a stone ceiling and simultaneously filling the crypt with tonnes of sand, weighing Buldeo down and filling the gunshot wound on his leg. Ouch. In agony, he crawls out of the enormous pile of sand and desperately tries to escape but the crypt is sealed shut, trapping Buldeo in the tiny narrow space to suffocate to death.
  • Dark Is Evil: Has a dark colour scheme to his clothing.
  • Death by Adaptation: In the original Mowgli Stories, Buldeo is simply chased away as his village is destroyed by the jungle animals (which Mowgli engineered to save his adoptive parents). In this movie, Buldeo is buried alive in revenge for Nathoo's death.
  • Dirty Coward: He deliberately abandoned Mowgli's father to die at the jaws of Shere Khan. Even Colonel Brydon, who mourned Nathoo's death, furiously calls Buldeo that for the same reason.
    Buldeo: Remember me, Colonel-Sahib?!
    Col. Brydon: (in seething rage) Yes, I remember you.... Buldeo, you bloody coward!
  • The Dragon: Buldeo is this to Boone in his plan to coerce Mowgli into leading them to the treasure hidden in the jungle, even being responsible for causing the death of Mowgli's father at the jaws of Shere Khan.
  • Even Evil Has Loved Ones: Upon witnessing Tabaqui fall to his death, Buldeo is visibly the most shaken compared to the others, implying that (in spite of his disloyal and selfish nature) he considered Tabaqui to be his friend.
  • Even Evil Has Standards: For all his degeneracy, Buldeo at the very least is shocked to learn that Harley has been lost to quicksand. And though certainly not as shocked as Wilkins or Tabaqui are by Boone's indifference towards the matter, he still gives him a look.
  • Evil Poacher: He makes no secret of desire to kill animals for sport; it was also the main reason that caused Nathoo's death. And years later, he's perfectly content with being a prominent figure in the local underbelly.
  • Evil Old Folks
  • For the Evulz: He's not just greedy, but also seems to enjoy killing.
  • Hate Sink: Mowgli's father died while rescuing Buldeo, only for Buldeo many years later to attempt several times to kill Mowgli (even while knowing who Mowgli was). Buldeo is a worthless scumbag, to say the least.
  • The Heavy: Served as this to the film. As anyone can point out, Buldeo's killing of animals for sport has provoked Shere Khan to attack the camp, resulting the deaths of Nathoo and two of Brydon's men (both of them who were involved in Buldeo's actions) and causing Mowgli and Grey Brother to be separated from civilization and spend 15 years living in the jungle. Even when Mowgli returns to civilization, Buldeo catches hold of the dagger that Mowgli took from Monkey City and informed Boone about the importance of it, which motivated Boone to formulate a plot with Buldeo to obtain the treasure of Monkey City by any means whatsoever.
  • Knockout Ambush: Does this to Mowgli in one scene.
  • Karmic Death: In the film's opening, Buldeo's life is saved by Mowgli's father Nathoo, but rather than return the favor, he leaves Nathoo to die. In the film's climax, Buldeo dies screaming for help that never comes.
  • Missed Him by That Much: He's buried alive under a booby trap mere moments before Boone shows up, looking for him. Not that Boone would've been able to save him even if he did hear Buldeo's screams or saw what happened to him.
  • Moral Myopia: While hunting down Mowgli, Buldeo, being Indian, is offended when Harley refers to Mowgli as his 'little brown brother', disapproving of Harley's racism, even though Harley claims to Buldeo that what he said was Nothing Personal. However, Buldeo is no better as he wants Mowgli dead.
  • Ungrateful Bastard: Mowgli's father Nathoo saves him from Shere Khan, but rather than obliging to Nathoo's orders to shoot down the tiger in defense, Buldeo instead flees, allowing the tiger to maul Nathoo to death.

    John Wilkins 
Played by: Jason Flemyng

John Wilkins is a British Army lieutenant and William Boone's best friend and accomplice in the film.

  • Asshole Victim: Wilkins, while a Jerkass and a Dirty Coward, is easily the least evil out of the human villains. It's apparent that he sides with Boone and the others only out of greed and peer pressure rather than genuine malice. However, he enjoys antagonizing Mowgli and killing animals for sport as he helped Boone shoot Baloo, and he later ends up being killed by Shere Khan.
  • Big "SHUT UP!": Wilkins screams at the jungle animals to be quiet while they are camping in the jungle at night.
  • Butt-Monkey: Wilkins is constantly on the receiving end — being told to shut up by others or tormented, especially by Harley in one scene.
  • Canon Foreigner
  • Death Cry Echo: As Wilkins is mauled by Shere Khan for shooting down Baloo, Boone and Kitty hear his final, agonised scream.
  • Dirty Cop: Just like Boone, Wilkins has no qualms of harboring Buldeo (a wanted bandit for killing animals and causing three deaths at the jaws of Shere Khan) from the law.
  • Dirty Coward: He's awfully jumpy and spineless for a commanding officer in the British Army.
  • Even Evil Has Standards: Doesn't take very kindly when Boone shows no concern of Harley's death.
  • Fish out of Water: He's very out of his depth when in the jungle, especially when it comes to animals that he's not used to seeing. This trait ultimately leads to his own death at the jaws of Shere Khan.
  • Kick the Dog: Humiliated Mowgli during the ballroom scene and shot down Baloo.
  • Pragmatic Villainy: Upon Kitty arriving to have Mowgli released and reintroduced into civilization, Wilkins agrees to this; he even points out to an disapproving Boone that it may be the only way to get Mowgli to talk to them and disclose of the location of the lost city of the jungle.
    Wilkins: Billy.... if he can be taught to speak, then he can be made to talk.
  • Punch-Clock Villain: He tries to explain himself to Colonel Brydon on his betrayal, only to be silenced by Boone.
  • Too Dumb to Live: He wastes half his ammo before running into Shere Khan, who kills him in return.

    Tabaqui 
Played by: Anirudh Agarwal

Tabaqui is William Boone's jungle guide.

    Harley 
Played by: Ron Donachie

Harley is a sergeant in the British Army who sides with Boone.

  • Asshole Victim: After spending the whole movie being a deranged, loathsome and all around unpleasant piece of work, Harley drowns in a pond of murky, nasty-looking quicksand.
  • Ax-Crazy: Harley is very unstable, quick to anger and violence.
  • Canon Foreigner
  • Dirty Cop: Harley is more than happy to use brute force against prisoners, even when his superior Colonel Brydon condemns and forbids such practice; Harley refuses to listen and continues his abuse; even willing to betray Brydon for this.
  • Dying Declaration of Hate: "Damn you, Wilkins!"
  • Dumb Muscle: Not exactly an intellectual.
  • Evil Brit
  • Greed
  • Groin Attack: He suffers one in his "sweets" twice from Mowgli.
  • Hate Sink: Nothing positive is shown about Harley due to being a racist jerk who enjoys torturing others; even willing to commit treason against his fair superior by holding his daughter hostage, all for the sake of finding treasure to satisfy his own greed.
  • Only in It for the Money: Says this to a wounded Brydon while holding Kitty hostage:
    Harley: I've had 25 years of the likes of you without making a penny from it, so don't you "Sergeant Harley" me, you silly wee man!
  • Nothing Personal: Said word-for-word to Buldeo when the latter stared at Harley for his 'brown little brother' comment while searching for Mowgli. It is unknown whether he is genuine about it or if he's just saying it to avoid conflict.
  • Politically Incorrect Villain: He's a pretty racist fellow, snidely referring to Mowgli as his "little brown brother" twice.
  • Quicksand Sucks: He dies this way.
  • Sadist: He clearly gets off on torturing Mowgli while interrogating him. He even grins evilly after watching Buldeo knocking out Brydon with his gun.
  • Stout Strength: A large, beefy man capable of delivering nasty blows with a truncheon.
  • Too Dumb to Live: He pays no attention to his surroundings while chasing Mowgli through the jungle and falls into quicksand. Justified as he had only woken up seconds before giving chase and therefore would not be 100% focused.
  • Ungrateful Bastard: He's not too thankful that Wilkins at least tried to save him...
  • Violent Glaswegian: An aggressive, violent and very Scottish man. He even calls his superior Colonel Brydon a "silly wee man", much to Brydon's fury.
  • Wardens Are Evil: Clearly enjoys torturing Mowgli in the dungeon.

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