With Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart in the lead roles, it seemed as if there was no room left for big stars in Sony’s Jumanji reboot. After all, Johnson and Hart are big personalities, and they can no doubt carry a big-budget action-adventure film all by themselves. But the cast is growing by one more big personality, and it’s a swell addition. Per The Wrap, Jack Black is in talks to join the cast of the redo, which is based on the 1995 original film that starred Robin Williams and revolved around a board game that came to life, wreaking havoc on a small town.
But Black’s addition to the cast not only means we’re getting a Johnson/Hart/Black trifecta, it also marks a reunion with Black’s Orange County director Jake Kasdan, who’s at the helm. Kasdan’s 2002 Black/Colin Hanks comedy is a sorely underrated gem, so the prospect of seeing the duo back together again is exciting. Kasdan also helmed the magnificent Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story as well as multiple episodes of New Girl, so the filmmaker’s comedic sensibilities are on point. Adding to the mix a very funny cast like this, and this is shaping up to be a box office bonanza.
Scott Rosenberg and Jeff Pinkner penned the most recent draft of Jumanji, but plot details remain under wraps aside from the obvious—a board game will come to life, shenanigans will ensue. Johnson recently said that the film will honor original star Robin Williams’ performance, and I’m wondering if Black might fill the role of a character who’s been trapped in the board game for years and is set free by Johnson and Hart. Or something along those lines.
Kasdan most recently helmed the underwhelming comedy Sex Tape, but things are shaping up to be interesting with this Jumanji reboot, so here’s hoping. Production gets underway this August in Hawaii in anticipation of a July 28, 2017.
