Jumanji getting a reboot

[Autbot_Benz]

It’s been 20 years since Robin Williams starred in the blockbuster adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg‘s 1981 children’s book Jumanji. So that means it’s time for a reboot.

We first heard about a new adaptation of Jumanji in the summer of 2012, and then six months later, Zack Helm, the writer of Stranger than Fiction and writer/director of Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, was brought on to write the script. But since then we haven’t any progress on the development front.

But it sounds like we might hear more about the project soon because Sony Pictures has just set a release date for the film on December 25th, 2016. Find out more about the Jumanji reboot after the jump!

As of now, we can only assume that the script that Zack Helm was hired to write is still being used for the reboot, but there’s a good chance that it will get a rewrite before it goes in front of cameras. Otherwise, we haven’t heard anything about who might end up directing the movie, or who will star.

The original Jumanji was released in December of 1995 with The Rocketeer and Captain America: The First Avenger director Joe Johnston at the helm. Robin Williams played the adult version of a young boy who was sucked into the game years earlier, only to emerge later when two kids in then-present day 1995 played the game and freed him from the jungle in which he was trapped.

The cast of the movie was led by Robin Williams with Bonnie Hunt, Kirsten Dunst, Bradley Pierce, David Alan Grier, Jonathan Hyde (in two roles) and Bebe Neuwirth, and it featured some state of the art special effects at the time in order to bring the dangers of the jungle out of the game of Jumanji and into our world. This included stampedes of elephants, zebras and rhinos along with mischievous monkeys, poisonous plants, deadly (very fake) spiders and a lethal hunter by the name of Van Pelt, all in the middle of a clueless, terrified suburban neighborhood.

Today’s special effects will undoubtedly allow for even more realistic spectacle to come from the game if the same approach is taken with the story. Though I’m betting the story won’t have the passage of time element that the original one had, undoubtedly it will have the dangerous world of the jungle clashing with the world of unsuspecting children and adults, and that has the potential to be fun on the big screen again.

Sony Pictures also dated a whole bunch of other movies arriving over the next few years, such as Uncharted and Passengers, not to mention two Bad Boys sequels with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.

http://www.slashfilm.com/jumanji-reboot/

[TigerClaw]

Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart might star in the Jumanji remake
http://variety.com/2016/film/news/jumanji-remake-kevin-hart-dwayne-johnson-1201725642/

[IndigoErth]

I dunno... with Robin Williams gone that's kind of sad to redo it. I'd rather they were doing a sequel. Or a film of another similar kind of theme, since Zathura, the sequel to the Jumanji book, is already a film.

[Hero]

The Rock's resume seems to be adding up a lot of reboots/remakes.

[Krutch]

Jack Black joins Jumanji.

The Rock and Jack Black together. M'lright.

[ranger_scout]

Nick Jonas is in talks to join the film. I wish I could be excited about this. Principal photography also begins next month in Hawaii.

http://www.ew.com/article/2016/07/28/nick-jonas-jumanji-reboot

Jack Black joins Jumanji.

The Rock and Jack Black together. M'lright.

There wasn't a source in that post for him being a part of this, but here's one.

http://www.ew.com/article/2016/05/11/jack-black-jumanji-reboot

[ranger_scout]

A few weeks ago, Kevin Hart talked about the film and his working relationship and friendship with Dwayne Johnson as well.

Hart is excited, but keenly aware of the love fans have for the 1995 original. “I think we really have the opportunity to do something special,” he told EW in a cover interview on stands now. “We’re doing a remake of a movie that has no weak points. Jumanji was an amazing film — rest in peace to Robin Williams. So we’re not trying to recreate the movie that people may be familiar with, we’re trying to modernize it, for those people who don’t know what Jumanji is, in a clever, unique way. Not destroy the movie, of course, but pay homage to all parties that were involved in it and just make it special for this generation.”

It helps, he says, that he and Johnson have become genuine friends offscreen: “It’s not forced, it’s not programmed. It’s a real friendship — that’s my guy. Teaming up with him was a no-brainer. Look, I’ve been lucky enough to work with some amazing people at this point. From [Ice] Cube to Will Ferrell, Josh Gad — I love Josh to death. DeNiro, Stallone. And the thing about Dwayne that just stands out is, we both approach our days exactly the same… [That’s why] Our [Central Intelligence] promo tour was so dope. It was long, the hours were ridiculous, but we had fun because we love it.”

“Some people get it, some people don’t,” he continues. “He gets it. If you go look at his social media, at the way he embraces and engages his fan base, how available he is, how he lets people see behind that curtain of what he’s doing — he takes the time out to give back, to be seen, to be heard when he doesn’t have to. And the physical fitness! How wrestling was his first platform and he maximized all that potential….The guy is just so involved.”

http://www.ew.com/article/2016/08/04/kevin-hart-dwayne-johnson-jumanji-reboot

However, the Rock is saying that this might not be a reboot after all.

"And now in two weeks I'll reunite with ol' friends Kevin Hart & Jack Black and we have the honor to introduce a whole new generation to the amazing world of #JUMANJI. *(for the record we are NOT making a reboot, but rather a continuation of the awesome JUMANJI story). It's also crazy to me how much me, Kev and Jack look like triplets when we're together. 👶🏽👶🏻👶🏿. Man this is gonna be FUN."


http://comicbook.com/2016/08/20/the-rock-says-new-jumanji-is-not-a-reboot/

[TigerClaw]

A few weeks ago, Kevin Hart talked about the film and his working relationship and friendship with Dwayne Johnson as well.



http://www.ew.com/article/2016/08/04/kevin-hart-dwayne-johnson-jumanji-reboot

However, the Rock is saying that this might not be a reboot after all.



http://comicbook.com/2016/08/20/the-rock-says-new-jumanji-is-not-a-reboot/
That's good, so basically a sequel.

[Jephael]

Not sure I'm all that psyched about this idea. Maybe if they waited another 20 years or so I'd be intrigued, but to be honest it just sounds like another one of Hollywood's pathetic attempts at pandering to the nostalgia craze!

[Autbot_Benz]

Karen Gillan joins the cast. The Rock announced it from his facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/DwayneJohnson/photos/a.448580834383.229946.406433779383/10154690490884384/?type=3&hc_ref=NEWSFEED

[TheSkeletonMan939]

(for the record we are NOT making a reboot, but rather a continuation of the awesome JUMANJI story).

So, like, it's a "Son of the Mask" kind of sequel.
Great.

[TurtleTitan97]

So, like, it's a "Son of the Mask" kind of sequel.


Ugh, the very mention of that name is enough to send a shiver down my soul. :dead:

This film is gonna turn out the same way, isn't it? :cry:

[TheSkeletonMan939]

This film is gonna turn out the same way, isn't it? :cry:

Why is it that you and I can see the impending disaster this film will be, but studio moguls can't?

[TurtleTitan97]

Why is it that you and I can see the impending disaster this film will be, but studio moguls can't?

Because in their minds, $$$> Quality.

[ranger_scout]

The Rock shared some concept art of his character today.

http://cdn2-www.comingsoon.net/assets/uploads/gallery/jumanji-2017/14231887_10154697549309384_4236824658280671512_o.j pg

http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/763247-the-rock-shares-concept-art-from-jumanji-sequel-plus-new-details-revealed#/slide/1

[ZariusTwo]

It's no longer a board game...now it's a video game

http://ew.com/movies/2017/03/28/jumanji-video-game-cinemacon/

[BubblyShell22]

Ooh, like that pic. I'm intrigued about this and will wait to see what they do. At least it's not a reboot which would be kind of stupid to do.

[saintsaucey]

Yeah I'm all in for Karen Gillan and the Rock.

[sdp]

mixed feelings.

Jumanji is more of an entity than just a game so this entity could change depending on the times, that makes sense for it to be a video game if they use that angle but the board game worked just fine, why mess with it.

I'm kind of excited about this movie since it took place inside the game like the cartoon used to and that made sense for a sequel, I mean it's not really a remake but we'll see.

I guess we have Zathura as a sequel in the worst case scenario. It was also weird having all these SJW alt-left people complaining about the wardrove of the girl in the movie... #whytrumpwon

[CyberCubed]

The Rock looks like a black Indianna Jones.

[The Deadman]

The Rock's Samoan....

[TigerClaw]

It's no longer a board game...now it's a video game

http://ew.com/movies/2017/03/28/jumanji-video-game-cinemacon/
I think having it being a video game is cool, Makes a lot more sense, Plus its not a reboot.

And they can poke fun at all those video game tropes.

[TigerClaw]

Here's the trailer for Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, the board game gets replaced by an old video game console.

Uldl3nWw7BY

[Andrew NDB]

The Rock's Samoan....

He's black and Samoan. 50/50.

[Autbot_Benz]

This movie looks like another Sony Stinker. Only good part is the lovely Karen Gillan.

[sdp]

Well the trailer seems ok, I think I'll enjoy the movie. I don't get why they had to change it to a video game, the board game is classic. I love stories that involve being sucked into a computer or video game and feel there aren't enough of those in fiction but in this case we already had a concept that worked.

Why are there helicopters in Jumanji and why they caved in to SJW BS so much that they decided to include "the reason she's wearing this outfit" in the trailer.

[Andrew NDB]

Kevin Hart doing his same tired "non-threatening, scared black man" shtick. smh...

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Wow.

Everyone's gonna hate me, but I laughed at most of the jokes. :tlol:

I'd watch it for free.

[TurtleWA]

Wow.

Everyone's gonna hate me, but I laughed at most of the jokes. :tlol:

I'd watch it for free.

I laughed at all the parts they wanted me to, and probably some they didn't. I'll watch it.

[GoldMutant]

Sequel. They're calling it... a sequel.

Unbelievable.
______________________________

Jumanji being a video-game is cool, but come on? One female character in the game world, the other female (in the real world) becomes Jack Black?

It looks... meh. I'm curious on the avatars' chemistry, but otherwise, this looks like a rental or an avoidance by me.

[TheSkeletonMan939]

Sequel. They're calling it... a sequel.

Unbelievable.

From Wiki:

Robin Williams as Alan Parrish (flashback archive footage from the first film)

http://m.popkey.co/b83ab9/VoJbV.gif

[TurtleTitan97]

....What in the name of all that is sacred did I just watch???

[GoldMutant]

From Wiki:



http://m.popkey.co/b83ab9/VoJbV.gif

As someone who loves Robin to death (Hell, I did a paper on him two years ago), that.... :ohwell::x

That makes me mad.

[Autbot_Benz]

hope they got permission from Robin's Family/estate to use that footage. I know Disney can't use any Genie stuff he did not sure about other movies he was in

[oldmanwinters]

No thanks!

[ranger_scout]

Here's trailer #2.

v_TJKwJwN0E

[sdp]

I really wanted this movie to be something like the cartoon (https://miscrave.com/articles/jumanji-cartoon/) where they went inside the board game and all the perils we saw in the first film more fleshed out.

At least this trailer explains why it's not a board game and links it directly to the ending of the first even if it doesn't quite make sense but whatever. It changing to a video game to be relevant is still dumb. Also this Jumanji doesn't seem scary but more of an adventure.

If the movie wasn't called Jumanji I'd be all over it, I love "sucked into digital world" tropes and if it were just that I would have no complains with any of what I have seen but it's the whole it being a sequel to Jumanji that I don't like about it.

[Spike Spiegel]

This could have been a new IP for Sony if the movie industry wasn't so sequel/reboot happy...

[Andrew NDB]

Got early tickets to see it tomorrow. We'll see.

I've actually never even watched the first one, so I'll do that tonight.

[ProphetofGanja]

Got early tickets to see it tomorrow. We'll see.

I've actually never even watched the first one, so I'll do that tonight.

Don't do it!!! In case the reboot/sequel/whatever absolutely blows, you can watch the first one after to cleanse your palate

The first one is a classic and I think it's actually aged pretty well so I think the odds are good you'll get at least some enjoyment out of it. I don't know about this new film though...

[CyberCubed]

I actually just watched Jumanji 1995 2 days ago for the first time since I was a kid. It's a fun movie, but it's still a kids movie. If you don't have any nostalgia for it you might not enjoy it as much as those of us who watched it as kids.

Also seeing a young Kirsten Dunst is weird as hell. I totally forgot she was in the movie.

[Andrew NDB]

Saw it. It's really good! I consistently laughed throughout. There is a good dichotomy between their avatars in the central story and their real life teenage selves that pays off at different points. It's a requel that does it right... it really does pick up right where the original left off (like, literally, in 1996) but the main meat, the middle (which is 91% of the movie) is entirely different. There is a lot of humor that works. There is some misses but more hits than not. I am never super impressed with Kevin Hart doing the same part he does in every movie, or filling the exact roles that Chris Rock would have a decade ago, but he's good... and I hated "Central Intelligence" (also starring The Rock and Hart). There is some big nods to the original, one that was really poignant that honors Robin Williams' character and essentially the man himself. And if you haven't seen the original, don't worry, you won't notice. But you'll be rewarded if you have.

Also, I saw the first one for the first time last night. I'd never seen it ever. I think I avoided it because even as a kid, the trailers seemed dodgy... a board game? Rhinos? What? It is pretty good. It definitely goes to darker places than the new movie, but also has the same whimsy. The ending parts have a lot of heart and effectively pull the heartstrings. The new movie pulls them also at the end, not quite as strongly but effectively. There is a slight inconsistency when comparing the two endings that anyone who has watched both will notice, but I didn't mind.

If you're thinking about watching the new Jumanji I'd recommend. It's funny. It's got the feels.

If I had a gripe, and this is kind of spoilery, it's that the actual world of Jumanji is left a little nebulous. It's sort of implied and reimplied that it is this kind of video game role playing game (which brings up other, bigger questions like who made this game and for what to what end? I'd kind of like to see that movie) that repeats itself in different scenarios. What are the stakes here? Are any of the people in "The jungle" real? Was Jumanji actually in peril or was it just a game scenario? I'm not sure, really. I guess it's not important, but...

[Allio]

I know it’s impossible, but is there any Zathura references?

[Andrew NDB]

I know it’s impossible, but is there any Zathura references?

I don't think so. But then I've never seen Zathura.

[sdp]

Looks like it's a decent but nothing amazing movie which is fine because Jumanji really isn't anything that amazing either. I still think it's dumb they changed the board to a video game but I'll be checking it out.

Zathura is the same as Jumanji only with Sci-Fi tropes, the movie is ok, it just isn't as fun as Jumanji.

But why is this being released along Star Wars? Do they want it to die? Do they forget how big Jumanji was able to get in the 90s, this could've been similar if released in the spring or even the summer.

[TigerClaw]

Its got an 83% on Rotten Tomatoes.
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jumanji_welcome_to_the_jungle

[Andrew NDB]

Looks like it's a decent but nothing amazing movie which is fine because Jumanji really isn't anything that amazing either. I still think it's dumb they changed the board to a video game but I'll be checking it out.

It's explained pretty well in the movie. I'm not kidding, it begins right where the first one ended, with the board game in the beach.

[ProphetofGanja]

Well that's pretty heartening news, Andrew. I had high hopes for this movie since I loved the first one so much. I'm glad the new one is decent at least

[TigerClaw]

Its certified fresh with a 79% on RT.
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jumanji_welcome_to_the_jungle

[ranger_scout]

I saw the film this afternoon and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I thought it was a funny action-packed adventure. I also liked how this movie took the audience inside of the game this time around. In the original the game had come to our world, but we never got explore what the jungle was really like. That was one of the big reasons why this sequel worked.

I like how the opening was in 1996 and it was neat how the board game saw the video game and decided to make itself one. The cast had terrific chemistry and the adult actors were believable as kids who had transformed into video game characters. Unlike the ending of the first one where the year resets to 1969 after the game is finished, the players from the current time period were sent back to the present and they remembered the experience. The player who had spent years in the game got another chance to start over and he meets the others in their true forms and thanks them. The game is destroyed at the very end, but we will see if it's really gone for good.

As for the reference to Alan Parish (Robin Williams' character):

Nick Jonas' character find the hut that served as his home while he was trapped inside it and his name was carved in the wood.

[ProphetofGanja]

Just saw this yesterday, I enjoyed it quite a lot. I thought the reasoning behind making the board game a video game was reasonably well done. The acting by the main cast was pretty good; Jack Black as Bethany as Professor Shelly Oberon was great. Kevin Hart's usual schtick was different enough to work in this film and the Rock was good as always. I'm still getting familiar with Karen Gillian but she's been good as Nebula in the Marvel movies.

As far as the ending goes...
If Jumanji can transform itself from a board game to a video game then I'm pretty sure it could reconstitute itself from a pile of broken electronics to whatever it needs to be next to make people play it.

Which raises the question, why does Jumanji exist? It seems like it wants to test kids and push them to their limits to better themselves, but where did it come from?

I think they could make another movie in the series work, they could change the format of the game again if they wanted and they could even explore the actual origins of Jumanji, which I think could be pretty interesting

[Allio]

Heck a theory is that even the jungle theme is merely just an aesthetic it can change, that Zathura is Jumanji in a Sci-fi state

[sdp]

Heck a theory is that even the jungle theme is merely just an aesthetic it can change, that Zathura is Jumanji in a Sci-fi state

But why would it go back to being a board game? And since this movie starts where the first one ended it'd be hard to make it work in continuity, I love the idea though.

As far as the ending goes...
If Jumanji can transform itself from a board game to a video game then I'm pretty sure it could reconstitute itself from a pile of broken electronics to whatever it needs to be next to make people play it.

Which raises the question, why does Jumanji exist? It seems like it wants to test kids and push them to their limits to better themselves, but where did it come from?

I think they could make another movie in the series work, they could change the format of the game again if they wanted and they could even explore the actual origins of Jumanji, which I think could be pretty interesting

Did you ever watch the cartoon? it's a new continuity but it actually dwells on the origins of Jumanji and its history, it introduces a lot of new ideas/characters and mythology and yet it works out really well. It's not in continuity with the film and tells its own story and has an ending, i recommend it.

[Allio]

But why would it go back to being a board game? And since this movie starts where the first one ended it'd be hard to make it work in continuity, I love the idea though.

Well I mean more of the book. Unlike the original and zathura, “Welcome to the jungle” isn’t based on a book.

Which you already have a disconnect between the movies as the original creator didn’t like the jumanji movie and references to Jumanji was cut out of the Zathura film.

Though if you want to go the “psychological” road of Jumanji. The game changes all depending on the need. A board game maybe needed for some physical theme while a “digital” form maybe needed for those that are disconnected

Though if you want to get technical, breaking the law of space and time isn’t uncommon for jumanji

I won’t deny. I like the idea of someone creating a bunch of different games just to *uck with people