Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson recently confirmed that the developmental process is well-underway on Jumanji 3.
Sony took a risk a few years back by announcing a Jumanji sequel/reboot was coming. There was a growing fatigue and negativity surrounding any reboots, and with The Rock attached, it had one of Hollywood’s most prolific stars. It set to release just a few weeks after Star Wars: The Last Jedi, a release date that would’ve sunk most movies. To everyone's surprise, instead Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle exceeded every expectation and was one of last year’s most enjoyable and monetarily successful blockbusters.
It has now became Sony’s biggest movie ever domestically, and is nearing $1 billion worldwide. Hence why it came as no surprise when reports surfaced that a sequel is in the works; something that the film’s star and producer, Dwayne Johnson, has now confirmed to be true.
Johnson took to Instagram to bask in the glory of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle‘s record breaking success, but also get the interest in the sequel going. In the video below, Johnson confirms that they are hard at work on Jumanji 3 - whilst also teasing that his co-star Kevin Hart's character Franklin ‘Mouse’ Finbar will be killed off for good.
Check out Johnson's thankful, celebratory Instagram video below:
Director Jake Kasdan and writers Jeff Pinkner and Scott Rosenberg are returning for Jumanji 3, so the film will hopefully have a story as creative as the first's. With Johnson has confirmed plans for the sequel, we can assume that he will be reprising his role as Dr. Smolder Bravestone - most likely alongside his co-stars: Hart, Karen Gillan, and Jack Black (as well as possibly Nick Jonas and the film's younger cast members).
Jumanji 3 is clearly in the early stages of development, but Sony chairman Tom Rothman reportedly already has plans the film to hit theaters by next Christmas. Whether or not that can be done remains to be seen as Johnson has one of the busiest schedules in Hollywood. The actor will be filming Jungle Cruise this summer and then his Fast & Furious spinoff later this year. Johnson also believes Black Adam will film next year, as will Red Notice in order to make its 2020 date.
What do you think about a sequel to Jumaji: Welcome to the Jungle and what would you like to see from it? Which cast members would you like to return and how?