The idea of a Jumanji remake isn’t exactly the easiest pill to swallow. Film buffs aren’t usually eager for a remake (unless you look at something like The Golden Compass or The Last Air Bender, properties that deserve second chances), but news of this comes not two years after Robin Williams tragically passed away. Even though he may be one of the biggest hype men on the Internet, Dwayne Johnson promises the remake will honor the late actor.

In an Instagram post, Johnson, who has a starring role in the remake, wrote in part:

An important thing that I want to be honest and bring up is Robin Williams. The love and respect I have for this man is boundless. You have my word, we will honor his name and the character of "Alan Parrish" will stand alone and be forever immortalized in the world of JUMANJI in an earnest and cool way. I have an idea of what to do and I think his family will be proud. I also think Robin is somewhere lookin' down and laughing, remembering the first time we met backstage and I (for the first time ever) was a star struck bumbling idiot that couldn't even get my words out. Idiot. He literally calmed me down w/ that smile and laugh. But that's for another fun story down the road.

jumanji-robin-williams
Image via TriStar Pictures

Jake Kasdan (Sex Tape) is directing the remake with a team that includes producer Matt Tolmach and Johnson’s Seven Bucks Production banner. The goal was for The Rock to co-star in the film with Kevin Hart following their joint stint in Central Intelligence. There was some worry that Hart wouldn’t be able to make the remake work with his schedule for another remake — The Intouchables with Bryan Cranston — but Johnson’s post seems to hint that they made it work.

In the original movie there were three big roles. In our new story there's now FIVE. Been so damn cool to see all my actor buddies push their projects aside so hopefully they can come play in our world. Should have cool casting announcements this week. Will keep you posted.

We have a ways to go before Jumanji hits theaters on July 28, 2017. See Johnson’s full Instagram post below.

And the #JUMANJI magic begins. Excellent meeting with our director Jake Kasdan, producer Matt Tolmach, and our @SevenBucksProd team to work on our new re-imagining of this amazing story. I felt like in order to craft something cool we should begin where it all started. Award winning writer Chris Van Allsburg's source material of JUMANJI. Chris also wrote THE POLAR EXPRESS (later adapted by Robert Zemeckis and Tom Hanks) and has a very special & magical way of storytelling. I'm feelin' good and confident stepping into these shoes as a producer as well as actor to bring you something great that you and your entire fam can enjoy. An important thing that I want to be honest and bring up is Robin Williams. The love and respect I have for this man is boundless. You have my word, we will honor his name and the character of "Alan Parrish" will stand alone and be forever immortalized in the world of JUMANJI in an earnest and cool way. I have an idea of what to do and I think his family will be proud. I also think Robin is somewhere lookin' down and laughing, remembering the first time we met backstage and I (for the first time ever) was a star struck bumbling idiot that couldn't even get my words out. Idiot. He literally calmed me down w/ that smile and laugh. But that's for another fun story down the road. We got a great team assembled already over at our home base of SONY and now we build from here. Here's another fun part... in the original movie there were three big roles. In our new story there's now FIVE. Been so damn cool to see all my actor buddies push their projects aside so hopefully they can come play in our world. Should have cool casting announcements this week. Will keep you posted. #TheMagicBegins #JustPressStart #JUMANJI A photo posted by therock (@therock) on