King Louie

King Louie is a fictional character introduced in Walt Disney's 1967 animated film, The Jungle Book. He is an orangutan who leads a group of monkeys and is known for his desire to become more human by learning the secret of "man's red flower" (fire).

Character Overview

King Louie is depicted as a fun-loving, jazz-singing orangutan who rules over the other monkeys in the jungle. He is characterized by his ambition to obtain the secret of fire from the film's protagonist, Mowgli, a human boy raised by wolves. King Louie believes that by mastering fire, he can become more like humans and gain greater power and influence in the jungle.

Role in The Jungle Book

In The Jungle Book, King Louie captures Mowgli and tries to persuade him to reveal the secret of fire. He sings the song "I Wan'na Be Like You" to express his desire to be more human. However, Mowgli does not know how to make fire, and the encounter ultimately leads to a chaotic chase scene where King Louie's palace is destroyed.

Voice Actors

In the original 1967 film, King Louie was voiced by Louis Prima, a well-known jazz musician. In the 2016 live-action/CGI adaptation of The Jungle Book, the character was voiced by Christopher Walken. This version of King Louie is depicted as a Gigantopithecus, an extinct genus of ape, rather than an orangutan.

Cultural Impact

King Louie has become one of the most memorable characters from The Jungle Book and has appeared in various other media, including television series, video games, and theme park attractions. His song "I Wan'na Be Like You" remains one of the most popular and recognizable songs from the film.

Controversy

The character of King Louie has been the subject of some controversy. Critics have argued that the character perpetuates racial stereotypes, particularly in the context of the original film's release during the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. The depiction of King Louie as a jazz-loving, power-hungry character has been interpreted by some as a caricature of African American culture.

Appearances in Other Media

King Louie has appeared in various other Disney media, including:

• TaleSpin - An animated television series where King Louie runs a nightclub.
• House of Mouse - A television series where he makes occasional appearances.
• Kingdom Hearts - A video game series where he appears as a character in the Jungle Book world.

See Also

• The Jungle Book (1967 film)
• The Jungle Book (2016 film)
• Mowgli (Disney character)
• Baloo
• Shere Khan (Disney character)