LOS ANGELES - Netflix is to release director Andy Serkis' film "Mowgli" via its streaming service and in theaters next year.

The motion-capture performance and live-action adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's classic story collection The Jungle Book is set in 19th-century India and stars Serkis as Baloo, Christian Bale as Bagheera, Cate Blanchett as Kaa, Benedict Cumberbatch as Shere Khan, Freida Pinto as Messua and Rohan Chand as the title character.

The Hollywood Reporter said Sunday that Netflix picked up the distribution rights to the film from Warner Bros., which had intended to open it in theaters this October.

A Disney version of The Jungle Book, which mixed animation and live action, was released in 2016 to critical acclaim and became a blockbuster.

Serkis' film will stream on Netflix in 2D and in theaters in 3D.

"I'm really excited about Netflix for Mowgli," said Serkis. "Now, we avoid comparisons to the other movie and it's a relief not to have the pressure." - Agencies