King of the Jungle (2001)

Synopsis: What happens when society can no longer protect its innocents? Seymour (John Leguizamo) dreams of becoming a NBA star like the members of his beloved NY Knicks team. Mentally challenged, he lives... What happens when society can no longer protect its innocents? Seymour (John Leguizamo) dreams of becoming a NBA star like the members of his beloved NY Knicks team. Mentally challenged, he lives with his over-protective mother Mona (Julie Carmen) and her lover Joanne (Rosie Perez). Seymour's estranged alcoholic father, Jack (Cliff Gorman) berates him about not being a man and Seymour's only escape is to watch and play basketball at the neighborhood court.

When Mona is slain by a neighborhood thug, as a result of her work as a vocal social activist, Seymour is shattered. The only witness to the murder, Seymour goes looking for revenge.

As he roams the streets looking for the killer, Seymour's fragile emotional state continues to unravel. A violent encounter with the killer only heightens his lust for vengeance. When Seymour finds a gun in the home of his best friend, Francis (Michael Rapaport), it appears that he is destined to succumb to the code of the streets. He has become the King of the Jungle.

Concerned for Seymour's safety, Jack goes in search of his son. When they meet at the neighborhood court, Seymour and Jack engage in a dramatic confrontation. At stake is Seymour's nascent manhood and, ultimately his life.

KING OF THE JUNGLE stars John Leguizamo (Summer of Sam, Emmy Award winner, "Freak"), Rosie Perez (Riding in the Cars With Boys, Academy AwardŽ nominee, Fearless), Annabella Sciorra (HBO's "The Sopranos," What Dreams May Come), Michael Rapaport (The 6th Day, Bamboozled, Men of Honor), Rosario Dawson (Josie and the Pussycats, Light it Up, He Got Game) and Marisa Tomei (What Women Want, The Watcher, Academy AwardŽ winner, Best Supporting Actress, My Cousin Vinny). Julie Carmen and Cliff Gorman round out the award-winning ensemble cast.

Urbanworld Films presents KING OF THE JUNGLE, a Bombo Sports & Entertainment production in association with Forensic Films. The film is written and directed by acclaimed screenwriter and playwright Seth Zvi Rosenfeld. Christopher James and Steven E. Bram serve as co-producers. Bob Potter, Scott Macaulay and Robin O'Hara produce. John Leguizamo, Stacy Spikes, Jay Rifkin and Hans Zimmer serve as executive producers.

KING OF THE JUNGLE is rated R for strong language, some violence and drug content. -- © 2001 Urbanworld Films [More]

Starring: John Leguizamo, Rosie Perez, Julie Carmen, Rosario Dawson

Starring: John Leguizamo, Rosie Perez, Julie Carmen, Rosario Dawson, Cliff Gorman, Justin Pierce, Michael Rapaport, Annabella Sciorra, Marisa Tomei

Director: Seth Zvi Rosenfeld

Director: Seth Zvi Rosenfeld
Screenwriter: Seth Zvi Rosenfeld
Producer: Hans Zimmer, Christopher James
Composer: Dan "The Automator" Nanamura
Studio: Urbanworld Films

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