The Rock talks about how the Jumanji sequel connects to the original

October 12th 2017, 2:50pm

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Like a lot of '90s kids, I have tons of nostalgia for the Robin Williams-adventure film JUMANJI. Even watching it recently, I was amazed at how well it held up! Especially the CGI, which yes, is dated, but still well-done (however, I tend to give things from that era a pass as long as I can suspend disbelief; though, admittedly, the monkeys were a bit rough). But any real problems I'm probably blind to the way '80s kids won't admit that THE GOONIES sucked.

Anyway, in an exclusive interview with Comingsoon.net, The Rock talked about the influence of the first film on the upcoming sequel:

That was the number one thing that I just wanted to have open dialogue with Jake (Kasdan, the director) and Matt Tolmach, our producer, and the studio. What is the way that we can pay homage to the original movie, not only to the original movie, but to Robin Williams in a way that felt good and that made people feel good, but yet, as you said, not get bogged down in it? So, I think we came up with some really nice ways to pay homage and yeah, I think the family is going to be very, very happy with it. And without giving too much away, there… Now, I’m biting my tongue right now…

Producer Matt Tolmach added to The Rock's statements:

I really don’t want to give away spoilers, but I will say that the character that Robin played, the spirit of that character, is something that is massively important to this movie and that is reflected in the movie… And since our movie goes into the game, well that’s what he did, so his presence in this world is felt for sure.

I'm honestly glad it's not a remake, though I'm still not sold on the whole "videogame" aspect. It seems like an idea a cigar-chomping 60-year old executive, who couldn’t tell you if Mario was the red or green one and who thinks videogames still use Pac-Man noises, would come up with. But, I'd be okay to be proven wrong. At least it's not a retread, so that's something.