King Louie (Disney)

"Now don't try to kid me, Mancub! I made a deal with you! What I desire is man's red fire to make my dream come true. So give me the secret, Mancub! Come on, clue me what to do! Give me the power of man's Red Flower so I can be like you!"

- Louie to Mowgli after he tells him that he doesn't know how to make fire. King Louie is the tertiary antagonist of Disney's 19th animated feature film, The Jungle Book. Though not nearly as evil or threatening as the film's other two villains, Shere Khan and Kaa, he does kidnap Mowgli and hold him hostage until Mowgli reveals how to make the "Red Flower", or fire, though the accommodations that Mowgli was kept in were upbeat and lighhearted.

He was also a supporting protagonist in the prequel television series Jungle Cubs and the spinoff TaleSpin. However, he is only mentioned in the 2002 sequel The Jungle Book 2.

He was voiced by the late Louis Prima in the first film, Jason Marsden and Cree Summer in Jungle Cubs, and Jim Cummings in TaleSpin, House of Mouse, and other later projects.

Jungle Cubs
Louie is seen as a child in the prequel television series, where he was friends with Baloo, Bagheera, Hathi, Kaa, and Shere Khan. At this time he was known as Prince Louie and has two younger cousins named Benny and Clyde. It is assumed that there was a falling out that caused all the animals to go separate ways and lead some to becoming enemies.

The Jungle Book (1967)
When Louie gets word that a Mancub (a human child) is being returned to the Man-Village against his wishes, he sees an opportunity to get the Mancub to tell him the secret of the "Red Flower", or fire, to secure his power and also help him become more like humans, which he regards as the most powerful and interesting of creatures. He has his minions kidnap Mowgli and bring him to his temple, where Louie offers to help keep Mowgli in the jungle in exchange for something. Mowgli agrees, not knowing what he will have to give, and Louie explains how bored he is of being an orangutan and wants to be like humans.

He then tells Mowgli that he wants the secret to fire, but Mowgli tells him that he does not know how to make it. Louie becomes more demanding and begins to pressure him for answers. However, Baloo and Bagheera arrive to save Mowgli. Louie and his minions give chase, stealing Mowgli back from them. During the chaos, a support pillar breaks and Louie gives Mowgli up to take its place and support it. Baloo begins tickling him, and the monkeys break another pillar. Baloo, Bagheera, and Mowgli flee while the temple comes crashing down. Louie is left unharmed.

More Jungle Book
Louie appeared in the read-along storybook, where it is indicated that he and Baloo made

The Jungle Book 2 (2002)
Louie does not appear physically in the sequel, though he is mentioned in Mowgli's accounts. Later, Mowgli and Baloo hide out at his old temple, where Baloo says that "he's splitsville". This could mean that he simply left to find a new home, passed away, or both.

TaleSpin
Louie appears as a supporting protagonist and friend of Baloo in TaleSpin. He owns and operates a bar called Louie's Place, which serves as a rest stop and social hangout for pilots all over the world.

House of Mouse
Louie makes cameo appearances in the House of Mouse. He never speaks, as Disney was facing a lawsuit from Louis Prima's widow over the use of her late husband's voice.

Aladdin television series
Louie makes a cameo when Genie temporarily turns Abu into Louie as a reference to TaleSpin.

2016 Mickey Mouse
Louie makes a cameo in the episode "Mumbai Madness".

The Jungle Book Groove Party
Louie kidnaps Mowgli and challenges him to a dance-off. However, the events play out like in the movie.

Disney Universe
Louie appears as an unlockable character costume.

Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ
Louie appeared on two medals during a Jungle Book themed event.

Disney Parks
In Disneyland, Louie appears in Micky's Soundsational Parade, Mickey and the Magical Map stage show, Fantasmic!, World of Color: Celebrate!, and Disneyland Forever.

In Walt Disney World, Louie appears in Fantasmic!, and Celebrate the Magic.

At Tokyo Disney, Louie appears in One Man's Dream II: The Magic Lives On!.

At Hong Kong Disneyland, he is seen in Flights of Fantasy and Mickey and the Wondrous Book.

The Jungle Book 2016
In the 2012 live-action remake, Louie was changed into a much more evil and violent character, contrasting greatly with his animated counterpart.
 * See: King Louie (The Jungle Book 2016)

Trivia

 * There is some debate over whether or not King Louie counts as a villain, considering that his crimes are minor in comparison to ones committed by other Disney villains. However, Disney has treated him as a villain.
 * "I Wanna Be Like You" appeared on the album Disney Villains: Simply Sinister Songs.
 * Despite not appearing in The Jungle Book 2, "I Wanna Be Like You" is covered by Smash Mouth during the end credits.
 * Despite the film taking place in an Indian jungle, orangutans do not inhabit India in real life.
 * King Louie is the only completely original character in The Jungle Book, as he did not appear in the original book.