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Dwayne Johnson Says Jumanji Sequel Is 'Officially Underway'
We've already received word from Sony Pictures chairman Tom Rothman that Jumanji 3 will be released for the 2019 holidays, and now franchise star Dwayne Johnson has confirmed the film is "officially underway." Jumanji: Welcome to The Jungle, the reboot/sequel to the 1995 original starring Robin Williams was a smash success for Sony. The movie is the studio's highest grossing film domestically and has earned almost $1 billion worldwide. Due to the financial success of the flick, it was no surprise that the studio would be quickly working on a third installment in the franchise, bringing back cast members Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan and Jack Black.
A Christmas 2019 release date will see Jumanji 3 once again go up against another powerhouse franchise. Star Wars: Episode IX is also scheduled to release then, once again pitting the two franchises against each other at the box office. Welcome to The Jungle hit theaters just five days after Star Wars: The Last Jedi opened in 2017. Both movies were box office gold and Sony is gearing up for another billion dollar battle.
Johnson took to his Instagram account to announce that the sequel had officially kicked off, also confirming that Welcome to the Jungle writer/director Jake Kasdan has returned, and will team up with writers Jeff Pinkner and Scott Rosenberg to pen the script. Once again, Johnson will be doing double duty on the film, serving not only as star but as executive producer as part of his Seven Bucks Production company.
Many were skeptical that the reboot of the Robin Williams classic would be successful, but the box office numbers don't lie. Johnson has also become a fan favorite and box office draw, appealing to the masses by appearing in a wide variety of movies from Disney's family flick Moana to the raunchy R-rated comedy Baywatch as well as starring as a former pro football player turned sports agent in HBO's hit Ballers. It seems that much of what Johnson touches turns to gold and Sony is banking on an even bigger box office with the Jumanji sequel. Johnson is also a pro at social media and knows how to get his fans and followers excited about his upcoming projects. There's no doubt that Johnson will keep his fans and followers up to date on all Jumanji 3 developments, continually building excitement up until its release date.
The actor, producer and director also confirmed that all the cast members from Welcome to The Jungle will be returning in the sequel, tagging them all in his post. Welcome to The Jungle saw four teenagers get sucked into a video game version of Jumani where they became their video game avatars. Gillan will return as Ruby Roundhouse, Johnson as Dr. Smolder Bravestone, Hart as Franklin "Moose" Finbar and Black as Professor Sheldon "Shelly" Oberon as well as Nick Jonas as Seaplane McDonough.
